Over the past few years, Mount Michael has developed what we call the Growing Season Appeal. This appeal centers around the notion of growth—growth of the monastic community, growth of the present members in the sense of further spiritual development, growth in the means for the abbey to help itself, growth on the grounds of the abbey and in the garden.

As a result this appeal has helped the abbey with finances of recruiting new members, educating new members, and also renewing present members. This appeal has also helped literally with the growing season in providing for the means to keep the grounds inviting and welcoming. It has helped with nurturing and restoring the barn so that the Farmer and Flea Markets can continue to happen throughout the growing season of the year.

The community of Mount Michael would like to express its gratitude to all those who have helped in this regard and to report that progress continues to take place.

This past fall a new stairwell was constructed in the barn so that easy and safe access is possible to the hayloft of the barn. This is where the dried flowers are kept and it will be a wonderful place to display the flowers that are grown on the grounds and in the garden. Again the stairwell is an example of how Mount Michael has been blessed with generosity. Paul Dohmen and his brother, George donated the material and constructed the stairwell. And in addition to the stairwell, electricity has been installed in the barn, possible only because of the results of the growing season appeal.

Although we are still a few months away from the growing season, know that Mount Michael continues to work on this project. Mount Michael is most grateful for all of your support and invites you to think about enjoying some of the fruits of this project. Farmer and Flea Markets will be open again as soon as we get to the growing season. We welcome items that can be used to help these markets.