Glory to God for all things as the Year of Our Lord 2025 draws to a close. The sisterhood has rejoiced in our 16th year in Calistoga, praying the daily round of services and offering hospitality as we seek to deepen our life in Christ. 

We continue to pay our monthly installments for the Orthodox Church Capital Improvement Fund (OCCIF) loan that enabled the building of St. Nicholas House in 2023. That structure has allowed us to reoganize the monastery, freeing up our smaller St. Barbara House as a pilgrim/guest house that now hosts families, retreat groups, workshops, and visiting clergy. 

A successful 2025 Year End Campaign will enable us to to continue making our loan payments and save toward the loan payoff in 2028. We also continue to make important repairs around the monastery, ensuring that the property is both safe and welcoming for all our visitors. 

Thanks to three generous donors, including a member of the Napa Valley Community Foundation (NVCF), a challenge pledge has been made to match every dollar donated in our 2025 Year End Campaign, up to $50,000! Especially in these times of increasing costs, we are even more appreciative of every gift, large and small. We pray that the Lord will bless the work of our hands as we receive His blessings and mercy.