Synopses & Reviews
Here is an irresistible compendium of products and services that can be purchased by mail or on-site from more than 250 religious, spiritual, and cooperative communities. Much like the Kellys' ever-popular Sanctuaries guides to lodgings in monasteries, abbeys, and retreats, The Whole Heaven Catalog includes a description of each community, an explanation of why and how it makes what it does, and often an anecdote about its history--together with its address; phone and fax numbers; E-mail address and Web site, if appropriate; plus a listing of all the available products and information on whether there is a gift shop or catalog. With this book you will be able to buy all the wonderful things produced by the artists, writers, cooks, farmers, weavers, potters, and other visionaries who live in these secluded places, in addition to supporting them in their endeavors. And there's also a calendar of events so that you can time your visit to an equinox celebration, a plum blossom festival, or an auction of miniature horses, to name a few.
Here are just some of the treasures you can sample:
- Strawberry preserves from St. Joseph's Abbey
- Windbells from Arcosanti
- Peanut brittle from Subiaco Abbey
- Healing tea from Sikh Dharma/3HO Foundation
- Gifts of compassionate action from the Seva Foundation
- Birdcall tapes from Lichen
- Handcrafted rosaries from St. Scholastica Priory
- Bonsai plants, books, and tools from Our Lady of the Holy Spirit
- Daily 900-number Gospel reflections from the Monastery of St. Gertrude
- Wildflower seeds from Ion Exchange Village
- Hammocks from East Wind Community
- Port Salut from the Abbey of Gethsemani
- An ice-skating rink in an old Shaker barn at the Notre Dame Spiritual Center
- Lawn maintenance from the Community of Jesus
- Fruitcake from Assumption Abbey
- Dog-training from New Skete Communities
- Christmas trees from St. Paul's Abbey
- Wooden furniture and toys from Woodcrest Bruderhof
- Prayer flags from the Lama Foundation
- Handpainted chinaware from the Monastery of Bethlehem
- Sheepskin slippers from Mount Saviour Monastery
- Bicycle trailers from Cerro Gordo Community
- Llamas from Sacred Heart Monastery
- Biscotti from Our Lady of Guadalupe Trappist Abbey
- Fertilizer from Mepkin Abbey's chickens
- Honey from the Abbey of Our Lady of the Holy Trinity
- Soap from Community in Rutland New Social Order in Messiah
About the Author
Marcia and Jack Kelly are writers who live in New York. Over the years they have chosen monasteries and retreats as their stopping places in their travels, and have now visited more than 250 such places. Their first book, Sanctuaries: The Northeast, was published in 1991. Sanctuaries: The West Coast and Southwest followed in 1993, and Sanctuaries: The Complete United States appeared in 1996. They have also edited One Hundred Graces, a collection of mealtime blessings gathered along the way. Marcia Kelly is also the author of Heavenly Feasts: Memorable Meals from Monasteries, Abbeys, and Retreats.