Tony’s Tidbits

April is Global Volunteer Month, an annual opportunity to honor and celebrate volunteers worldwide. Here at St. Anthony's, our volunteers are truly the heart of all we do. A heartfelt THANK YOU to all our volunteers, past, present and future! “No one is more cherished in this world than someone who lightens the burden of another. Thank you”. - Joseph Addison

Yes, today is the Spring Equinox, but you couldn't tell it by looking out the window. On Wednesday, Mother Nature sent Sister Snow to visit St. Anthony's (and many areas in Wisconsin). So Spring dawned this morning with a fresh blanket of white covering the grounds. The next several days should be warm enough to melt some if not all of the snow, but weather (see what we did there?) or not this was Winter's last hurrah, we will have to wait to see. For now, we wish you a Happy Spring Equinox!

We had snow on Wednesday, but not nearly as much as the friars dealt with in March 1922. This picture, taken 103 years ago today, shows the friars clearing snow off the roof into Mary's Courtyard, Eventually, they transported the snow out into the back yard. The North wing construction would not begin until the snows melted in Spring 1922, so they had an unobstructed path from the Courtyard out behind the building. The caption on the picture reads "Winter is not without pleasure." Nothing about clearing that much snow seems all that pleasurable, though.

We are waiting patiently near our resident groundhog/woodchuck's residence under the cloister wall to see whether or not spring is on its way. Alas, no sightings yet so I guess we will all have to just wait and see if spring arrives soon or if we have to wait through six more weeks of winter.

One hundred years ago, St. Anthony's was a seminary for young men seeking to become priests. These young men did more than just study, pray and work, though. This photo, taken January 17, 1925, shows the friars enjoying the skating rink they created on the frozen Rib River behind St. Anthony's. Living the simple life of a Franciscan friar meant making the most of the simple pleasures nature provides.

The Lord bless you and keep you! The Lord let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you! The Lord look upon you kindly and give you peace! - Num. 6:24-26 All of us here at St. Anthony’s wish you and yours a happy New Year and many blessings in 2025!

Everyone here at St. Anthony's sends our best wishes to all our friends and their families for a blessed Christmas season! We are so blessed by the gifts of your friendship, your presence and your support for our ministry!

Just a heads up that St Anthony's will be closed to the public from Saturday, December 21st through Sunday, December 29th so our staff and volunteers can spend time with their families during the holidays.