Tony’s Tidbits

“Start by doing what is necessary, then do what is possible and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” That quote from St. Francis was the motto of the fledgling transition team back in 2013. It was twelve years ago this month that we realized what felt like an impossible goal five months earlier - a signed agreement to purchase St. Anthony’s and continue its ministry into 2014 and beyond. It seems like it might also be a good motto as we close this Season of Creation on the feast day of our patron, St. Francis. What “necessary” steps can we take to make peace with creation? What is “possible” for us in our life to make peace with creation? Perhaps if each of us were to do those small, necessary but possible things, maybe one day, all together, we can realize the impossible goal of healing our earth and being at peace with all of God’s creation. Happy Feast Day to all our Franciscan brothers and sisters!

"Peace with Creation" is the theme for 2025's Season of Creation that begins today and lasts until the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi on October 4. The Biblical text for this year, Isaiah 32:14-18, depicts Creation desolated because of the lack of justice and the broken relationship between God and humankind. The description of devastated cities and wastelands eloquently stresses the fact that human destructive behaviors have a negative impact on the Earth. Our hope is Creation will find peace when justice is restored. There is still hope and the expectation for a peaceful Earth. To hope does not mean to stand still and quiet, but to act, pray, change, and reconcile with Creation and the Creator in unity and solidarity through a change of heart.

St. Anthony's will be closed from Friday, Aug. 29 through Monday, Sept. 1 for the Labor Day weekend. We wish everyone a safe and enjoyable rest from their labors.

Today is St. Anthony's 106th birthday! This old house first opened its doors on August 15, 1919 and welcomed four professors, six priests, four lay brothers and twenty-two clerics (students). It served as a Capuchin seminary until 1970, then became a retreat center under Capuchin leadership. In 2014, ownership transferred to a lay-led non-profit corporation to continue St. Anthony's retreat ministry in the Franciscan spirit. As we celebrate our birthday, we are grateful for all the men and women - staff and volunteer, lay and religious - who have kept this holy place going as a place of welcome for all. Ad multos annos!

Today is the feast of the first woman Franciscan, St. Clare of Assisi. Clare was only 18 when she was moved by the dynamic preaching of Francis. He became her lifelong friend and spiritual guide. She founded the first women's order of Franciscans, now known as the Poor Clares. She was a model of prayer and trust in God's providence. Clare’s religious life was marked by an indomitable resolve to lead the simple, literal gospel life as Francis taught her; courageous resistance to the ever-present pressure to dilute the ideal; a passion for poverty and humility; an ardent life of prayer; and a generous concern for her sisters. Happy Feast Day to all our Franciscan brothers and sisters!

We wish everyone a Happy Independence Day! Our office will be closed Friday, July 4 through Sunday, July 6 for the holiday. * * * * “For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.” - Nelson Mandela

Forecast is for hot and humid which can only mean one thing: it must be Volunteer Week!! We are expecting more than 40 hardy (and hearty) souls coming to help us over the next six days. Check our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/SaintAnthonySpiritualityCenter) each evening for photos!

Today is the feast of our patron, St. Anthony of Padua. In addition to being the patron saint of lost and stolen articles, St. Anthony was a powerful Franciscan preacher and teacher. He’s typically portrayed holding the child Jesus, a lily, a bible, or all three, in his arms. He was ordained a priest in the Order of St. Augustine (same order as Pope Leo XIV) but later left to join the relatively new order of Franciscan Friars. Once St. Francis learned of Anthony's gifts as a preacher, Francis appointed Anthony to teach theology to the friars in a manner consistent with their Rule.

Memorial Day is a federal holiday dating back to the post-Civil War years. The day is set aside to remember all those who died in the service of our country. Memorial Day should be more about commemoration than celebration. In the midst of the long holiday weekend, the camping, boating, picnicking, fireworks and other plans, stop to say a prayer of thanksgiving for all those who gave their lives for the freedoms we enjoy. We can honor their sacrifice all year long by not taking our freedoms for granted.

All of us at St. Anthony's wish a Happy Mother’s Day to all mothers, step-mothers, grandmothers, godmothers and mother-figures. God bless you for all you do!

On this day in 1918, the Capuchins began construction of what would become St. Anthony's. Townspeople had been working on the needed excavations throughout the winter. Farmers brought stones, sand and gravel to the site. It was wartime, so banks were reluctant to give loans. Structural steel was difficult to purchase. All freight, except for military purposes, was embargoed or delayed. Despite all these challenges, the Capuchins moved ahead with construction. This photo was taken two months later during the celebration of the laying of the cornerstone.