Current Events at Monte Alverno
(Last updated: July 1, 2008)

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of "Current Happenings"
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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 2008:
"Do Not Fear to Hope: Live Life to the Full"

July 15-17:  Luxemburg Area Women......Registration Still Open

September 4:  Wisdom of Children Series:.....CANCELED

September 5-7:  Widow's Retreat (Open to All Women)......Registration Still Open

September 10:  Book Study Series: (Check ProgramList for Times)

September 12-14:  Greater Green Bay Area Women......Registration Still Open

September 19-21:  Healing Retreat (Contemplative Style)......Registration Still Open

September 26-28:  Women's Retreat......Registration Still Open

October 2:  Wisdom of Children Series:.....CANCELED

October 3-5:  Sheboygan Women......Registration Still Open

October 7-9:  Midweek: Fox Cities and Fox Valley General - Women......Registration Still Open

October 8:  Book Study Series: (Check ProgramList for Times)

October 10-12:  Appleton I & II Women......Registration Still Open

October 17-19:  Two Rivers / Sheboygan County Men......Registration Still Open

October 25:  One Day Retreat......Registration Still Open

***** For a listing of events for 2008, check our General Calendar. *****

  

 
Recent Happenings
  
 

On Friday, May 30, Sally Gerarden spend her last day here as an active staff member and participant in our Monte Alverno Ministry.  She spent approximately the last 14 and 1/2 years performing a labor of love with our kitchen staff.  Monte Alverno is deeply grateful to her for her excellent spirit and contribution; and we wish her God's blessings for the future.  Thanks to her generosity, she continues to help in emergency situations.

In the photo to the left you can see Sally.  To her left is Fr. Keith Clark, our Director.

  
 
 
 
On May 19 to 21, a dedicated group of people involved in retreat center ministry gathered at Monte Alverno to discuss the challenges, possibilities, and blessings of their ministry.  Now having the name, The Upper Midwest Association of Retreat and Spirituality Centers, they gather once a year to share all aspects of their ministry and to celebrate their Christ centered apostolate.  To the right is a picture of the group enjoying a meal.


 
 
 
On Thursday, April 17, Monte Alverno received a gift of new life, a tree.  It was planted in memory of Don Bossart who died during the past year and served on the kitchen staff here for many years.  At left, the crew is busy planting the tree.  At right Don's wife, Mary, who donated the tree and their son, Todd, stand in admiration.

 

 

 
 
 
The Monte Alverno Guild is a group of dedicated women committed to supporting our Monte Alverno Retreat and Spirituality Center in many ways.   One of those ways is to raise funds though a raffle which happens every December. The Guild recently received a beautiful quilt made by the Country Apples Group of the Home, Community and Education Organization and donated to the raffle.  In the photo we see this quilt being received.  And moving left to right are Bernice Rudolph, President of the Guild, Fr. Keith Clark, Jane Dorn, Secretary, and Sr. Marlene Weber.
  
 
 
 
On the weekend of April 19-20, Monte Alverno was nearly filled up.  Fifty-three woman registered, and almost every available room was taken.  It was the kind of turnout we yearn for and pray for each weekend.  Thanks to all who help promote our Retreat and Spirituality Center!  At the left is a photo of the closing meal.  At right a picture of the closing Mass.


 
 
 
The weekend of March 14-16, Monte Alverno offered its annual "Married Couples Retreat."  Returning for their second opportunity to present the retreat were Steve and Amee Pable, along with the new member of their family, Mia.  Joining them in ministering for this retreat was Father Keith Clark.  Their theme this year was "Building Up One Another in the Image of Christ."  Everyone was most grateful for the inspiring and instructive presentations.   Their photo is to the right.



 



  
 
On the weekend of March 7-9, Monte Alverno was again privileged to host an "On the Way Retreat."  To learn more about this retreat and its schedule, check our Your Programs web page.  A photo of the group can be seen on the left.  On Saturday, March 8, we also hosted a "Grief Session" group sponsored by the Wichman-Fargo Funeral Home. 38 Participated and a photo of some of them is to the right.

 

 

 
 

Monte Alverno continues to be blessed by various groups coming to use our facility for spiritual purposes.  Here are two more examples of why this is a holy place.  At the left we see part of the group that meets every Thursday evening at 7:00 PM in our chapel for charismatic prayer.  To the right we see members of the local Serra Club enjoying lunch at their monthly meeting here (on 1st and 3rd Fridays).

  
 
 
 

The first weekend retreat for the year 2008 took place on January 4-6.  We had a full house - Thanks be to God!  Our theme for this year is, "Do Not Fear to Hope: Live Life to the Full."
At the upper left, we see a picture of the opening service on the Friday evening of this weekend.  Below, moving left to right, are some of the "Father-Son" groupings we had on this retreat:  First are Charles Janssen and his son Charles; second are the Ebben family, Tom, John (the Father), Ron and Dan; Third are Hank Wildenberg and his Father Norman; and finally, we see Leo Gitter and his son, Dave.  Thanks to all participants for making Monte Alverno a holy place!

  
On Tuesday, December 11, Monte Alverno offered its last program of preaching ministry  for the year 2007.  At the left you can see Jane Kolosso of our staff welcoming two retreatants for our Advent Day of Recollection.  At the right is Fr. Keith offering communion at the closing Eucharist.
  
 
Monte Alverno was again honored to provide holy space for 50 seniors from St. Lawrence Seminary for their annual autumn retreat.  They arrived at noon on Wednesday, November 7.  They can be seen at the right celebrating the closing liturgy at noon of November 9.
    
 

On November 5, Monte Alverno received an unusual but wonderful gift.  To the left you can see the head of Remy, the French rat whose character is featured in Disney's summer animated feature, "Ratatoulle."  What is usual here is that this is carved out of real cheddar cheese and was done for a Disney celebration in Hollywood.

The creator of this edible work of art is Troy Landwehr, owner of Kerrigan Brothers Winery, here in the city of Little Chute, Wisconsin.  The head of Remy is only a part of this three foot tall character which consisted of about 300 pounds of cheese at its completion.  All are invited to come to Monte Alverno to enjoy this tasty treat.

  
 

 

 

 

On Saturday, October 27, 2007, Monte Alverno began a new format, offering the elements of a weekend retreat, but in the time frame of eight hours.  Beginning with registration at 9:00 AM, most of the retreat presentations of a weekend retreat were offered.  But the retreat concluded Saturday afternoon with the 4:00 PM Liturgy of Sunday Mass.

We hope that, with this kind of offering, people who cannot come for an entire weekend can still experience the prayer and message of our weekend retreat theme, but in this shorter period of time.

At right  we see  Fr. Keith Clark  welcoming   the people to this holy day.

  
 

Monte Alverno was most honored to host another Widows Retreat this year.  It was held under the leadership of Mary Reardon and the preaching of Fr. John Guimond.  The widows of prayer live a dedicated spiritual life, especially devoted to the apostolate of prayer.  Our photos here are of the closing meal on Sunday, September 9.