What Prayers and Affirmations would you like to share?

[Servant Team]

The Servant Team met May 31 and a staff member began our meeting with a beautiful prayer. We are committed to create a process that is both prayerful and "hard-nosed." Replies to this post will serve as a public bulletin board where you can offer words of prayer and blessing to keep us grounded and centered in prayer.

[Marge Lindell]

Loving and gracious Creator of all good things, 

We praise and thank you for the seeds of faith planted at St. Anthony's by the Capuchin friars.  Bless them and watch over them as they leave this sacred place and as they continue their ministry in other fields and vineyards.

Guide those seeking Your Will in this time of transition.  Comfort them in their grief, shine light into their darkness, and nuture the seeds you have planted in each of them through the friars.  May those seeds continue to grow and bear abundant fruit for the good of Your kingdom.  

We know the harvest is plentiful and we are all called to work for the harvest.  If it is Your will to continue the good work begun by the Capuchins on this holy ground, we trust You will call forth the workers You want to labor in this sacred vineyard.  Grace them with the discernment to hear Your call, and with the wisdom, love and humility needed to welcome and nurture all who come to St. Anthony's.  

We ask this all in the name of Jesus with and through the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

St. Francis, St. Clare and St. Anthony, pray for all who have been a part of this sacred place since 1917 and all who be a part of its future.

[Rita Marie Johnson]

I am praying that the Holy Spirit will guide everyone on the staff and the Servant Team to be open to what Our Heavenly Father wants for the future of Saint Anthony's.  St. Francis and St. Anthony lead us in the  a new direction, a Holy Path for the the retreat center. May we all work and pray hard and Thank God for every grace we have been blessed to recieve through this Holy Place. We "Thank you God ahead of time,for what you want to share with us now" open our hearts, our ears, our minds and that we will listen to you only. Show us your  plans Lord, just lead us in your ways. Amen

On Sunday, June 2, 2013 12:14:33 AM UTC-5, Servant Team wrote:

[Servant Team]

This is the prayer Sallie Bachar wove together from words and phrases participants at the July gathering contributed. We shared it with Province leadership in a July 15 letter. 

Prayer for Revisioning

God of all goodness and love, every tree and blossom, every stone and brick tell of your presence and faithfulness at St. Anthony Spirituality Center ever since the first Capuchins came to establish a Franciscan presence here in the heart of central Wisconsin. We ask your blessings upon them. Through their commitment and hard work this has become a sacred and holy place. We thank you for the seeds they have planted and for the fruit that has ripened and continues to ripen in the hearts of the many men and women who have been touched by their ministry through the years. They began the race and have faithfully carried the baton.

As we now enter this time of change and transition, we ask for an outpouring of your spirit to give us guidance, wisdom and right judgment. May we have the courage and strength to continue what the Capuchins have begun, trusting in your goodness and love. May we be given the grace to be faithful conduits and co---creators with you so that your vision for this sacred place will be realized.

We rely on the intercession of St. Anthony and offer this prayer in and through Jesus, our Lord, who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.

On Sunday, June 2, 2013 12:14:33 AM UTC-5, Servant Team wrote:

[Barb Ceranski]

Rita, thanks so much....this is awesome...Things are moving along  GOD IS GOOD!

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“I know well the plans I have in mind for you, says the Lord: plans...to give you a future full of hope.” Jer. 29:11
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[Marge Lindell]

In the Beginning….

was the land - rich, fertile land.  The land was warmed by the sun and refreshed by the waters of the Rib River, the rains of summer and the snow of winter.   The land teemed with a variety of trees, flowers and other plant life that invited deer, birds, rabbits, fish and other animals who found food and shelter upon it and within it.  It was holy ground.

Then the first inhabitants came, native peoples who also found a place of shelter, safety, and nourishment.  They may have hunted here, lived here, and fished the waters of the river here.  For them, it too was holy ground.

Their presence gave way to European immigrants who used the rich soil for farmland.  The crops they raised fed their families and livestock.  Their presence built a lasting community now known as Marathon, Wisconsin.  It was holy ground.

The community gave of themselves to welcome the Capuchins to this land.  The Capuchins and the community worked together to clear a space of trees and used the wood for building.  They hauled stones formed of the earth for the foundation of a place that came to be called St. Anthony’s.  It was holy ground.

For many years, St. Anthony’s welcomed young men, immersed them in the beauty of the land and the bounty of creation, nurtured their love and respect for all creation, and formed them for ministry.  Their footprints mark this land and their fingerprints are on this place.  For them, this was holy ground. 

The Capuchins also welcomed others to come to this holy ground.  Even during the early years of their presence here, they welcomed men, and later welcomed women as well, embracing all who came seeking a deeper connection with the Creator and His creation.  For those men and women, this was holy ground.

As we seek to become the new stewards of this holy ground, we remember and honor all that has come before.  It provides our foundation.  It nourishes and strengthens us as we move forward into this new chapter.  It teaches us to trust in the providence of a gracious God who gifted all who came before and continues to gift us today.

On Sunday, June 2, 2013 12:14:33 AM UTC-5, Servant Team wrote: