Folks are often surprised when we tell them that not only are non-Catholics are welcome here, but they come here and are a fair share of our guests. Mostly, they seem to believe that our Catholic roots somehow preclude us from welcoming other Christians, or non-Christians, or even those who are not particularly religious at all, but that is not the case. And this is not even something new. Our Capuchin brothers welcomed all to this house. All that is asked of those who come here is that they are seekers.

The other thing about St. Anthony’s that seems to surprise some people is that our guests are not limited to those who attend our retreats and programs. As far back as the mid-1990’s, the Capuchins actively solicited and welcomed outside groups to come here for their own, self-directed retreats, and the Capuchins hosted them by offering meals, meeting space and bedrooms for overnight stays. Like our Capuchin brothers before us, we ask only that groups who come are seekers.

“Seeking what?” is a reasonable question. Our mission statement says “all seeking healing, hope and transformation through deeper connection with God, Self, Others & Creation” are welcome here.

“What does ‘all’ seekers look like?” is also a reasonable question. In short, all looks like diversity and inclusivity. In 2023, sixteen different groups from at least four different Catholic Dioceses in both Wisconsin and Minnesota came to St. Anthony’s. The reasons for their stays range from peer support to religious education to spiritual reflection to couple-to-couple peer ministry. One group was here monthly, others came a couple of times, others come once each year.

We also welcomed eight different non-Catholic retreat groups during this year. These groups came from the Episcopal Diocese of Fond du Lac, multiple Lutheran denominations, the United Methodist Church and a Presbyterian parish. The list of hosted groups also included a couple of mindfulness meditation groups, a group of poets and the staff of a Christian home for single mothers. They came from across Wisconsin, from Minnesota, Michigan and a few even far-flung places across the country. The reasons for their stays were very similar to the Catholic groups – peer support, religious education, ministry support, spiritual reflection and community-building.

Each month, we also welcomed a number of private retreatants who stayed one or more nights with us on a self-guided retreat. We do not ask what church they belong to, but sometimes in their sharing with us they tell us something about their spiritual paths. Like our hosted groups, their spiritual paths are diverse. Like our hosted groups, they are all seeking a “deeper connection with God, Self, Others & Creation” through their stay with us. Some are clergy, a few may be vowed religious brothers or sisters, but most are laypeople who want the time and quiet to listen for the still, small voice of the Divine.

Then we have ten local, community groups who also spend time with us. They are likewise seeking a “deeper connection with God, Self, Others & Creation.” Usually, these groups meet here for a few hours during the day or in the evening. Some meet weekly, one meets twice a month, some once a month, some less frequently. A couple are predominantly Catholic, others have no denominational affiliation at all. Still, we find common ground in their need for peer support ministry, spiritual deepening as well as community-building.

Last but certainly not least, we also offer meeting space to a number of local spiritual directors and companions who meet with their directees here. Since the purpose of spiritual direction is deepening one’s connection with the Divine, they, too are seekers and a perfect fit for our ministry.

Many spiritual paths, but one Spirit guiding them all. All are seekers, and all are welcome. We hope and pray they all find a bit of what they are seeking here. From our conversations with many of them, it seems they do.

For all the seekers, and for the Spirit that guides them on their diverse spiritual paths, we say Deo Gratias!