Reflections & House Chronicles

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House Chronicles

It’s Bloomin’ Beautiful!

It is bloomin’ beautiful around St. Anthony’s! The flowering crabs were in full splendor on Saturday, the first sunny day we’ve had in a while. Guests exploring the grounds also found purple and yellow wild violets, trillium and bleeding hearts all adding their blooms to the beauty of the grounds....

Fresh Start

This week’s project is step two on the Fr. Dan Crosby Conference Room makeover. Last week, a volunteer came and installed the new video monitors, a fresh start to our technology in that space. Next week, the carpet installers are coming to give the flooring a fresh start. This week, it is a fresh...

Jack of All Trades

Sometimes it amazes me how much some of our staff members have to juggle in their jobs, let alone how many subjects they must have at least a working knowledge of in order to do their jobs. JustBob is a good example of that challenge. JustBob’s job title is Building & Grounds Supervisor, which...

It Takes a Village

We have known since the first winter storms last fall that JustBob and his crew of volunteers would have their work cut out for them once spring arrived. There was still a good amount of clean up remaining to do in the woods after the loggers finished last fall. Then the early winter storms...

Signs of Rebirth

Spring 5.0 is here. In the two weeks since we had that week of summer-like temperatures, we have had several snowfalls and plenty of nights below freezing. The first snowfall made quick work of the crocuses that had blossomed. The daffodils have weathered the below-normal temperatures, snow, hail,...

Compassion and Mercy

This past weekend, we welcomed two retreat groups to St. Anthony’s. That’s not news. That’s what we do. What is more Chronicle-worthy is who these groups are. You know our mission here at St. Anthony’s is to welcome all. We strive to welcome anyone seeking a deeper relationship with God,...

Resurrection

Jesus is risen. Alleluia! He is risen, indeed! Alleluia! This Easter week, Jesus’ resurrection is not all we are celebrating, though. Here in Marathon and most of North Central Wisconsin, the sun has also risen. It shines brightly through the stained glass windows in the chapel for Morning Prayer,...

Journey With Jesus

It is quiet as a tomb this week at St. Anthony’s. Our offices are closed all week, most of the staff took the week off, and the few that were here early in the week are gone now. Even a couple of the residents took advantage of the quiet week to get away for a bit, knowing they would not be needed...

God’s Artistry

I’ve had guests ask what it is like to live here, and it often feels like they are expecting to hear that life here is like living on the Mount of Transfiguration or like being on retreat 24/7. I also wonder how many readers expect each week’s Chronicle to be bursting with exciting news. It might...

Hope and Trust

This beautiful little amaryllis appeared on our kitchen counter a couple of weeks ago. There was no note, no indication of who offered us this lovely gift of hope. It was only a couple of green shoots back then, not more than six inches tall. Still, it held the same promise of hope that spring...

Reflections

The Breath of Jesus

Lately when I reflect on the Holy Spirit and Pentecost, I tend to draw my personal inspiration for Pentecost found in John’s Gospel, Chapter 20. The Risen Jesus appears to His disciples and after blessing them with peace, He BREATHES upon them. Peace be with you…then He breathed on them and...

In Wonder

Turtle-like, I retract into the depths of my fuzzy pullover while balancing my translucent bubble umbrella atop my head to create a slightly steamy dome of warmth against the grey and the damp. Twenty-two years I’ve waited for this. Every other viewing attempt over the past twenty-two years has...

Do What Jesus Asks Us to Do

Have you had something remind you of a song from the past? How about a song from your youth that is not sung in church today? This happened to me the other day as I was sitting still. The thought of these two songs that I love to sing came to mind, “They’ll Know We Are Christians By Our Love” by...

The Raft is Not the Shore

In the midst of a journey, a traveler comes upon a deep river. To cross it, he constructs a raft from branches, twigs and vines. If the vessel is river-worthy, he successfully reaches the other shore. A teacher presenting this story to his students then asks: “Should the traveler then carry his...

Reframing Eastertide

Over the course of this past Lent, I found I was using the word "reframe" often. In the midst of helping someone through a struggle I wondered where this word, "reframe" came from. I'm still not sure, but I did know I was sorting through various aspects of the situation. Reframing became a way of...

Common Ground

We believe that God created each and every one of us purposefully unique. We believe that our uniqueness allows us to have divergent passions, points of view and beliefs. Is it possible that God’s design also purposely allows each of us to interpret the exact same ‘thing’, whether it be an...

Waterfall Sabbath

I recently took a week for some Sabbath time. The energy of the Great lake they call Superior is so healing. I am grateful to be able to rest & fill up. I ask myself, am I willing to sit under the waterfall of grace? I am invited every day. How often do I get saturated? To stay still long...

It is Finished!

My parents died a number of years ago and in both cases I was able to be there at the time of their deaths. It was a privilege to see them pass from life in bodily form to a new life becoming one with God. I was reminded of their deaths as I heard the Passion Narrative from the Gospel of John for...

An Intention

Palm Sunday is before us, holy week, then Easter. The scriptures take Christians through the story once again. I won't be attending services. If Easter morning is clear, I will drive out to Lake Michigan to watch the sunrise, attending my personal Easter service in honor and reverence of those...

The Struggles of Change

Here we are in the fourth week of Lent. We are just over halfway through. We have been here before! How are we doing in this season? Lent has been a customary time for adding some sort of action, practice to our Christian life, as a sign that we indeed want to change, be further converted on our...

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