Dear Friends of the Abbey,
I’ve been trying to prepare some headlines to describe the latest emergency at the monastery: the pending failure of the primary monastery chiller. After over 24 years of faithful service, the air conditioning system that cools the Abbey Church, the monastery and dining room is failing.
Technicians have warned us that without immediate intervention monks and monastery visitors alike will be without air conditioning during the height of summer heat. Unfortunately, a simple repair will not suffice. We must either replace or reengineer the air conditioning system. This will be an expense that surpasses our normal operating budget.
There is a bit of good news in this unexpected turn of events. Engineers have advised us that the most economical way to address the issue also will have a significant long-term benefit. The system that already cools several other buildings on campus has more than enough capacity to cool the Abbey Church, monastery and dining room as well. Connecting to that system will cost some 25% less than replacing the current failing chiller! What’s more, due to increased efficiency, the annual operating expense for this solution will be significantly less than what our current system costs to operate!
That’s the good news. The great challenge is the immediate expense involved. I turn to you to help us with our urgent need to raise $112,000 to address this urgent need. Visitors to the Abbey Church and monastery already are feeling the reality of rising temperatures in the Abbey Church and monastery. If you are able to assist with material gifts, a giving link is available below. If you would prefer, the Abbey also gladly accepts Pay Pal and Venmo. Checks can also be mailed to St. Gregory's Abbey, 1900 W. MacArthur Street, Shawnee, OK 74804 (please write "chiller" on the memo line). We ask that you keep the monastic community in your prayers throughout this process, and pray for cooler weather!
With your help we can avoid a Dog Day Disaster, a Cooling Calamity, August Anguish and a great deal of September Sweating!
Sincerely,
I’ve been trying to prepare some headlines to describe the latest emergency at the monastery: the pending failure of the primary monastery chiller. After over 24 years of faithful service, the air conditioning system that cools the Abbey Church, the monastery and dining room is failing.
Technicians have warned us that without immediate intervention monks and monastery visitors alike will be without air conditioning during the height of summer heat. Unfortunately, a simple repair will not suffice. We must either replace or reengineer the air conditioning system. This will be an expense that surpasses our normal operating budget.
There is a bit of good news in this unexpected turn of events. Engineers have advised us that the most economical way to address the issue also will have a significant long-term benefit. The system that already cools several other buildings on campus has more than enough capacity to cool the Abbey Church, monastery and dining room as well. Connecting to that system will cost some 25% less than replacing the current failing chiller! What’s more, due to increased efficiency, the annual operating expense for this solution will be significantly less than what our current system costs to operate!
That’s the good news. The great challenge is the immediate expense involved. I turn to you to help us with our urgent need to raise $112,000 to address this urgent need. Visitors to the Abbey Church and monastery already are feeling the reality of rising temperatures in the Abbey Church and monastery. If you are able to assist with material gifts, a giving link is available below. If you would prefer, the Abbey also gladly accepts Pay Pal and Venmo. Checks can also be mailed to St. Gregory's Abbey, 1900 W. MacArthur Street, Shawnee, OK 74804 (please write "chiller" on the memo line). We ask that you keep the monastic community in your prayers throughout this process, and pray for cooler weather!
With your help we can avoid a Dog Day Disaster, a Cooling Calamity, August Anguish and a great deal of September Sweating!
Sincerely,
Rt. Rev. Lawrence Stasyszen, OSB
Abbot