After May 31 Deadline Peace Abbey 'Optimistic' About Avoiding Foreclosure

With their May 31 deadline coming and going the Peace Abbey in Sherborn has yet the raise the . But having already raised enough money to pay off the mortgage of the Life Experience School in Millis, which owns the Peace Abbey, the people at the Abbey remain hopeful that they will be able to stave off foreclosure on the remaining portion of their debt.

“I haven’t spoken with anyone from the bank myself,” said Meg Randa, who helped found the Peace Abbey in 1988 and is a teacher at the Life Experience School. “With yesterday being the deadline, we didn’t get a phone call at 9 o’ clock this morning.”

“I think they see that we are determined to kind of keep everything afloat,” Randa said. “I think that they are trusting that somehow they aren’t going to have to take steps to move foreword with any foreclosure.”

Last month administrators and students of the Life Experience School presented Middlesex Savings Bank with a check to pay off the $63,000 due on the mortgage. They have been since they announced their financial crisis back in April.

“Well we’re feeling fairly optimistic. We’ve received a number of large contributions which helped to pay off the mortgage for the Life Experience School,” Randa said. “We still have about $280,000 to pay off on the Peace Abbey. Quite a few contributions seem to arrive every day.”

“Were grateful for the outpouring of support that we’re receiving from the outside community,” she said.

On June 26, the Peace Abbey will be holding a fundraiser featuring local Boston comedian Jimmy Tingle.

"He’s been a wonderful supporter of the Abbey," Randa said.

The event will include live music, hors d'oeurves, wine, beer and a set from Tingle.

“It’ll just be a wonderful kick-off event for the next phase of the Peace Abbey to keep it going,” Randa said. “We're feeling optimistic, we believe in this wonder dream that is the Peace Abbey.”

Tickets for the event are $75 per person. If interested call 508-655-2143.