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Diane and Neal Smith have a long-term commitment to each other and to Holy Wisdom Monastery. For most of their 53 years of marriage, they have also been involved with the monastery. Diane’s involvement goes back even further. “I was 14 years old when I started my freshman year at the Academy of St. Benedict for girls. I didn’t want to go but my parents made me,” she laughed. “I wanted to be with my friends.” Diane attended the high school from 1963 to 1966 when the school closed. “It was so different from what I expected. The sisters created …

by Fr. Thomas Ryan, CSP (Reprinted from with Permission from Fr. Thomas Ryan, CSP) Recently a friend asked, “What does ‘being ecumenical’ mean?” It was one of those questions that stops you cold because the answer goes off in so many directions you don’t know where to begin. Later, I took paper and pencil in hand and began to reflect on the lessons of my last 12 years in ecumenical work. Here are some of the things which, in my experience and opinion, “being ecumenical” means: O, God, holy and eternal Trinity, we pray for your Church in all the …

Submitted by Pam Shellberg, director of spiritual nourishment  There have been many moments recently where our community has gathered in big numbers around several very special occasions. The sense of overflowing gratitude, joy and hope has been palpable. Palpable – and visible in the many photos people have taken in efforts to capture all that has been imprinted in memories and on hearts.  One photo in particular touches me, because I was so deeply moved in the real time moment when it was taken. It is this photo of our new prioress, Sister Lynne Smith, standing alongside our new executive …

Submitted by Janet Neurauter, mission advancement Jorge Gonzalez Lopez is self-taught in Kumiko Art. “I learned this process by watching videos and reading books. But the videos never show the challenges and failures – just the beautiful outcomes. I had to learn how to correct the failures on my own,” he laughed. The Kumiko method uses thin pieces of wood which are grooved, punched and mortised and then fit together individually using tools such as planes, saws and chisels to make adjustments. Panels remain in place through pressure that is achieved by accurately calculating, cutting and arranging interwoven joints. Originally developed …

Submitted by Toby Grabs, director of operations A geothermal HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) system uses ground source heat pumps to heat the air inside a building in the winter and cool the air inside a building in the summer, using the ground to either extract heat in the winter or take heat in the summer. Many people are familiar with high temperature geothermal heating being used to generate electricity in geologically active states like California where the geological forces, or a thin layer in the crust, cause the high heat present under the crust of the earth to …

Submitted by Janet Neurauter, mission advancement consultant Jennifer Peters had an idea. An accomplished photographer herself, she thought about creating an exhibit with artists working in different mediums and how they could blend their individual work into a unified show happening February 2 – April 28, 2024, at Holy Wisdom Monastery. Her idea came to fruition when Francine Tompkins (acrylic painting) and Jennifer Angelo (fiber art), agreed to work with her on this idea. Each artist created three inspiration pieces and the other two then worked in their own medium, interpreting the original work of art. The result is the new exhibit, …