Current Events at Monte Alverno
(Last updated: March 10, 2010)

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Upcoming Events

Whenever the schedule indicates a locality, such as "Green Bay Area,"
the same retreat is still generally open to people from a different area.

Theme for Regular Preached Retreats during 2010:
"When the Going Gets Tough: Franciscan Helps for the Journey"

February 9:  Book Study Series: (ProgramList.....Moved to October 12

March 16:  Lenten Day of Recollection......Registration Still Open

March 19-21:  Married Couples Retreat......CANCELED

March 23:  Lenten Evening of Recollection......Registration Still Open

March 27:  One Day Retreat......Registration Still Open

March 30:  Lenten Day of Recollection......Registration Still Open

April 9-11:  Retreat for Women......Registration Still Open

April 13:  Book Study Series: (ProgramList)

April 16-18:  Retreat for Women......Registration Still Open

April 20:  Evening for Women......Registration Still Open

April 23-25:  Healing Retreat (Charismatic)......Registration Still Open

June 13-19:  6-Day Preached Retreat - Men & Women......Registration Still Open

June 21-27:  6-Day Directed Retreat - Men & Women

September 14:  Book Study Series: (ProgramList)

September 10-12:  Widow's Retreat (Open to All Women)......Registration Still Open

***** For a listing of events for 2009, check our General Calendar. *****

 

 

Recent Happenings

 

 
 

On Tuesday, March 2, sixty women from St. Bernard's Parish in Appleton were registered to participate in a day of reflection and prayer, organized by Carol Anheier.  Fr. Adrian Staehler gave presentations on the theme: "In knowing Jesus Christ, I know who I am."  At left we see a photo of the first presentation.  And at right we see the group in adoration at the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament.

 



 
On the weekend of February 12-14, Monte Alverno experienced a full house;  registrations were limited to waiting list only.  Kudos to all the coordinators and promoters.  In the photos above, we see Fr. Keith leading a sharing session, presiding at Mass, and retreatants enjoying the traditional Sunday ice cream.
   
 
 
 
 

On January 5, Monte Alverno began its 2010 season of midweek and weekend retreats.  The new theme is: "When the Going Gets Tough: Franciscan Helps For the Journey."

At left we see Sr. Marlene welcoming guests at the beginning of the retreat.  And to the right we see Br. John speaking to the retreatants at the opening service.

 
 
 
 
On the evening of Tuesday, December 8 and through the next day, Monte Alverno experienced a rare event, a blizzard that left 14 inches of blown snow on the trees and ground.  No events had to be canceled.  We see it as another way to find beauty here at Monte Alverno.
 

 

 

 



 
 
 
On November 11-13, Monte Alverno was honored to host the seniors of St. Lawrence Seminary for their annual retreat.  At left, the group is greeted upon their arrival.  At right we see them celebrating the closing Eucharist.  We wish blessings upon them all as they discern God's call for them in their future.
   
 
   

 

 

 



On Tuesday, October 20, Monte Alverno offered another Evening for Women Program.  Sr. Marlene Weber, FSPA, spoke to the group on the theme, "Simple lifestyle: what it might look like."  Twenty-two women signed up to come.  At left is Sr. Marlene at the podium and to the right she is addressing those in attendance.

 
 
 
 
On the weekend of September 11-13, Monte Alverno welcomed a full house for the annual Retreat for The Widows of Prayer.  At left, the women are gathered for a healing prayer and Benediction.  At right, Fr. Roch Niemier, the preacher for the retreat, stands with Mary Reardon, founder of this spiritual group and organizer of the retreat weekend.
 
 
 
   

On Monday, August 31, the entire Monte Alverno staff was invited to a gathering in which we discussed our goals and values for the upcoming months of ministry.  Special emphasis was placed on the fact that each member makes a vital contribution to the ministry of Monte Alverno, no matter how "hidden" it may seem.

To the left is a group photo of our gathering.

 
 
           

On Sunday, August 30, Monte Alverno held an Open House in honor of its 75th year of ministry.  316 people checked in at the front door.  Many came through other doors.

Moving left to right, top to bottom, we see Lynn Arendt and Jane Kolosso at the entrance, greeting people and giving them materials. Tom McMillan speaks to the people about the history of Monte Alverno.   In the Chapel, Fr. Keith prays with a group.

Next Colleen Colford speaks to our visitors about the indoor living space.  Gary Romenesko welcomes a group to the Labyrinth with an explanation of this prayer form, and Barbara Bodenhagen speaks to people by the river and the Stations of the Cross.  LuAnn Zimmerman is seen hosting four visitors in the lower lounge where they could   receive   a   back  massage,   view  a

   
display concerning ministries of the Capuchin Province of St. Joseph, and view a video on Monte Alverno.

Br. Richard Merling is showing a display about Fr. Solanus Casey and explaining his life.  And finally at the end of the tour, our guests were invited to enjoy some refreshment, and Pam Stano is standing at the right table welcoming them.  Many other volunteers helped.  Thanks to all!
   
 
   

On Saturday later afternoon, August 29,  Monte Alverno invited people who had donated resources of great generosity and abundance to Monte Alverno.  Frs. Keith Clark, and John Celichowski, Minister Provincial of our Capuchin Province, celebrated Mass for them (upper left photo).

Afterward, the group continued the celebration at a banquet (bottom two photos).  In the upper right photo are five members of our Advisory Council (Left to right, LuAnn Zimmerman, Barbara Bodenhagen, Colleen Colford, Pam Stano, and Jane Kolosso) who offered to serve at the meal and who were very instrumental in the planning and execution of this event and of the Open House the next day.

We are so very grateful to all!

 
   
 
 
   

For the past several years, the main parking lot at Monte Alverno has been deteriorating. On July 8, 9, and 10, our parking lot saw a renovation.

At left, top, is a machine grinding up the old layers of asphalt.  The left lower picture shows excess amounts of this material being picked up.

On the right, top, a grader is smoothing out the base surface. And the bottom photo shows the new asphalt being delivered and spread out.

We thank our donors for making this renovation possible.

 
   

 
From June 22 to the 28, Monte Alverno hosted its 6-day Directed Retreat.  During these days, retreatants spent their time in prayer, visiting with a spiritual director each day to explore what the Holy Spirit was saying to them in their prayer.  At right we see some of these retreatants as they conclude their retreat with a sharing of food.


 
 
   
 

 

 

 



 


From Sunday, June 7, till Saturday, June 14, nearly 40 retreatants gathered at Monte Alverno.  In the left photo, Fr. Richard Hart, Capuchin, enjoys the final meal with five sisters whom he directed.   In the center photo, we see Mary Lu Silk, Sr. Mary FLora and Sr. Mary Lynn, who traveled all the way from Joliet, Illinois to be in retreat.  And on the right, a table of sisters enjoying a meal after the preached retreat.

 
 
 

 

 

 



 
On Tuesday, May 12, the Parish Staff from St. Bernard Parish in Appleton gathered at Monte Alverno for a day of meetings and togetherness.  At left, we see them enjoying the noon meal. Monte Alverno is honored and delighted to have such guests join us.  And we welcome all who would want to come to make use of our beautiful facility and sincere hospitality.
   
 
 
 


From April 19-21, the Sisters of St. Agnes used the Monte Alverno facility to host the Leadership Conference of Woman Religious, Wisconsin Region.  This gathering focused on how religious life relates to the world and the Church. At right, Sister Simone Campbell facilitates a session. And at left, the Sisters are enjoying agape at their banquet.

 

 
 
 
 
Our Monte Alverno Guild members have been hard at work in their support of our Retreat Center, especially with their annual benefit raffle in December.  Last year the Guild donated new floor lamps for all the private rooms of our center.  To the right we can see (left to right) Sr. Marlene Weber and Guild officers, Bernice Rudolph, Elaine Kurrey, Helen Wittman, and Jane Dorn, as they inspect one of these lamps.  Monte Alverno is grateful for their dedication.