Posted on 11/26/2011 11:17:01 AM PST by Daffynition
They were dubbed the Millionaire Monks, a small monastic community in rural Wisconsin feted around the world for its wildly successful Internet business selling laser printer inks and toners.
As recently as 2009, the Cistercian Abbey of Our Lady of Spring Bank was projecting annual sales of $3.5 million for its for-profit business, LaserMonks Inc. And their prior and chief executive officer, Father Bernard McCoy, was talking expansion - of both the company and the abbey.
Today, the monks' 15,000-square-foot home on 500 acres in Sparta, Wis., is all but empty. They sold off their belongings - everything from furniture and farm equipment to religious artifacts - at an auction last month. And they have put much of their land and buildings up for sale.
(Excerpt) Read more at kansascity.com ...
Ignorant and bigoted anti-Catholic comments arriving in 3, 2, 1...
A sad story.
The Obamaconomy kills jobs.
I’ll go first...
Why are monks involved in for profit business? Oops sorry to be so bigoted.
I used to get my toners and ink cartridges from these people. They were the nicest people to do business with. My problem is that we used so few cartridges at my business (and would run out of fresh ones at the most inopportune time) that I didn’t provide enough business for them. So, I would order in bulk, and the recharged cartridges would (on occasion) dry out. But, they always replaced them at no charge, if I made a call. I am sorry to see them shut down. I always wanted to go over there to attend Mass, but I never did.
I only make “anti-Catholic” (pro-Christian) comments on Catholic threads that attack protestants (with titles like... “When will stupid, ignorant protestants come back to the true church?”)
How do you think they are going to support themselves? It's not like they have a parish that pays them a salary derived from donations. Monks work. Always have; always will. Some monks make brandy, fruitcakes, package coffee, candy, train dogs, etc. These monks supply recycled ink and toner cartridges. They are not on welfare, so what's your beef?
I know it is a quaint concept in the modern world we live in, but the monks are involved in a for profit business so they can earn a living and be self-sufficient.
Another victim of the 0bama Depression.
You should read the book, The Monks of New Skete, if you are interested in dogs. They raise and train German Shepherd Dogs that are impeccably behaved.
Their business may be for profit, but that profit likely funds their other ventures.
Hmmmm I guess I have no idea why monks exist. Seems like a very strange concept to me.
It wasn't for profit. The proceeds were used to support not just their organization, but nuns and other parishes, as well.
A shame.
One thing I noticed is how, over their long history, they never defaulted on a loan and aren't defaulting on their loans now. They are selling everything to pay off their debts.
What a difference from lots of folks across the country who merely throw up their hands and beg at the altar of Uncle Sam, expecting the tax payer to pick up the tab.
God bless them.
Bigot!
OK, here goes...you sell computers printer cartridges for $100 that cost you $90 to produce. That makes $10 profit. You now take that $10 and: buy food to survive, buy oil to heat the house, pay your electric bill and whatever it costs for normal people to live. That’s what’s done with the profit.
It’s kinda like a fraternity that devotes itself to God.
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