To see Pictures
of "Current Happenings"
 <---  like these  --->
Click here

    
 
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 2012:
            "Transforming the World through Reverence: Meeting Life with a Franciscan Outlook"


February 3-5:  Recovery & Alanon Retreat for Men & Women  (View the Flier)  ......Registration Still Open

February 10-12:  Retreat for Men ......Registration Still Open

February 14:  Crafters' Morning of Rest and Renewal  (View the Flier)

February 14:  Cover-to-Cover:  Book Study Series:   (View the Flier)

February 17-19:  Retreat for Men ......Registration Still Open

February 24-26:  Retreat for Men & Women ......Registration Still Open

March  13:  Crafters' Morning of Rest and Renewal    (View the Flier)

March  13:  Lenten Evening of Recollection   (View the Flier)  ......Registration Still Open

March  16-18:  Married Couples Retreat: (ProgramList) ....CANCELED

March  20:  Lenten Day of Recollection   (View the Flier)  ......Registration Still Open

March  24:  One Day Retreat   (View the Flier)  ......Registration Still Open

March  27:  Lenten Evening of Recollection   (View the Flier)  ......Registration Still Open

April  3:  Lenten Day of Recollection   (View the Flier)  ......Registration Still Open

April  10:  Crafters' Morning of Rest and Renewal    (View the Flier)


***** For a listing of events for 2012, check our General Calendar

    

 
Recent Happenings

 

    


   

During the Christmas break from retreats, we have been very busy redoing the book store.

Upper left we see Jim Ritchie working on what was a display space but now has been restored to the old window which now looks out into the upper lounge.  After removing the old wood paneling, Jim is redoing and repainting the wall.

The next pictures show the shelving replaced and Jane Kolosso and Sr. Marsaia restocking them with books.

The remainder of the pictures are from the outside looking in.  Notice what was once a large bulletin board is now restored to the large window it once was.  The last photo shows the smaller window taken from the upper lounge.

  
 


On the weekend of December 2-4, Monte Alverno welcomed the last group for the series of weekend retreats for 2011.

To the left we see retreatants participating in the Saturday evening healing service.  To the right, the men are enjoying the Sunday closing meal.

  
 

Monte Alverno Retreat Center welcomed people to its annual Advent Recollection program again this year.  On Tuesday, November 29, a group spent the evening here for prayer and presentations on the theme: "Extraordinarily Cherished by God."

To the right we see Fr. Keith Clark in offering his reflections on this theme.

 

 


 

  
From November 29-30, the local ministers of the Capuchin Province of St. Joseph gathered at Monte Alverno for a semi--annual meeting.  At left we see them open the gathering in prayer; and at right they are conducting a meeting.

 

 

 

 

 

 
Recently, our large conference room took on a new look with new tables and chairs.  To the left we see close up one table and six chairs.  To the right is an overall view of the new furniture as you enter the room. Our thanks to the generous gift of Chris and Evie Hartwig who made this possible.
  
 
 

 

 

 

From November 9-11, Monte Alverno was honored to host the senior class from St. Lawrence Seminary for their annual retreat.

At left we see the class in prayer just before their closing celebration of the Eucharist.

    
 
 
 

Monte Alverno Retreat Center has a new roof!  The last of the nails and screws were put in on Wednesday, October 12.

To the right and left, we can see photos of the progress of the work in its various stages.

In addition to the new metal shingles, all the vents were either replaced or repainted.

Monte Alverno is deeply grateful to those who contributed the funds needed to accomplish this needed task.

  
   
         
             
     
 


Our marquee on Wisconsin Avenue and Ballard Road was in serious deterioration.  So a project was launched involving the maintenance crew of St. Joseph Cemetery and our plant manager, Jim Ritchie, to renovate it.

At left we see Jim sealing the grout protecting the new stone and to the right we see the final product.

  
 

 

 

 
Monte Alverno Retreat and Spirituality Center is rejoicing over and giving thanks for the arrival of two new staff members.  In the photo, we see Br. Carl Schaefer, Capuchin, who came to us in July and Sr. Marsaia Kaster, FSCC, who joined us full time this August.  Sr. Marsaia did part time ministry with us earlier this year to take the place of Sr. Marlene Weber who became ill.  We welcome them both and look forward to ministering with them.  To read more about them, go to our staff description page by clicking here.
  
       

The renovation that began on the heritage continued with the construction of the stairway.  On the above far far left, we see Br. John supervising Jim Ritchie and Tom Oudenhoven.  Moving to the right, we see Tom driving in screws to secure the step boards.  Continuing to the right, we see the stairs with one hand railing in place.  Finally looking from above we see the stairway and its approaches complete.  Our sincere thanks to all for the help we have received on this project.   To view the hermitage newly refurbished, CLICK HERE.


When Fr. Ellis Zimmer ministered at Monte Alverno Retreat Center, in his later years here he lived in our hermitage.  Now that he is gone, thanks to donations from generous friends, renovation work has begun on the hermitage.  So far, a new front door, roof, and siding have been put on.  The inside has been refurbished.  Plans are underway to rebuild the stairway leading down to the hermitage.

In the two photos to the left we see our plant manager, Jim Ritchie (on the right) and volunteer, Tom Oudenhoven, installing siding.  To the right is a photo of their completed work and also a picture of the interior.

  
 
 

 

 

 

Monte Alverno Retreat center is blessed in many ways.  One such blessing comes in the gift of services from many volunteers.  Recently, friends have volunteered by helping us welcome and register retreatants when they come.

In the photo we see two of our volunteers.  Tom McMillan and Mary Tennessen, on the right, are assisting Sr. Ann Kelley in receiving retreatant Elaine Guillette (front left).

We are so grateful!