Open Arms, Open House…

Fall was officially six days old when Montfort Retreat had an “open house” for its donors and benefactors on September 27th. And although the weather was far from exuberant, the vibrant colors on the trees replaced the glow of sunshine with leaves of gold, crimson and orange, warming the view with a visual display of beauty.

At the entrance of “Rosary Way”–the road to the camp–visitors were greeted by a beautiful shrine to Our Lady, banked with flowers generously donated by the Taylor family. A little farther down the road, another shrine, to the Sacred Heart, displaying an autumn theme of corn stalks and pumpkins, also welcomed the crowds.

Parking at the yet-unnamed dining facility allowed visitors to centrally locate. After a refreshing cup of hot coffee, guests got their bearings by viewing Sr. Christopher Margaret’s hand drawn map, which gave a bird’s eye view of the facility.

Cheese and crackers encouraged conversation while everyone admired the work done in the kitchen and dining room. 150 brand new folding chairs and tables to match, along with 15 picnic tables made by inmates at the Concord Prison wood shop, the result of a generous grant from the Anna Moggio Foundation, enabled people to relax before they began the tour. Playing on a large screen in the dining hall was “The Montfort Miracle,” a slide show compiled by Brother Anthony Marie showing the progress made in 4 years.

Groups crossed a small foot bridge and wandered along the path, exploring the three villages of cabins on “Via Maria”–the road to the chapel. These clusters of five cabins in each were the generous donations of friends. Each donor chose the name of the cabin and dedicated it to or in memory of someone. Of the fifteen, two remain unclaimed. (If you are interested, a $5,000 donation covers the cost of each.) The names of the cabins are wood-burnt in signs on each. They are: Saint Nicholas Owen, Saint Anthony, Saint Faustina, Saint Paul, Saint Christopher, Saint Therese, Saint Mark, Saint Patrick, Saint Julie Billiart, Saint Isaac Jogues, Saint Anne, Saint Michael and Santo Nino de Cebu. Each cabin holds 8 campers in bunk beds made by the Brothers. All of the mattresses were donated by a family whose children attend the camps.

At the end of the road is “Morning Star Chapel,” a yet-unfinished structure made of enormous hand picked timbers from a local forest and 10’ pillars that will be faced with fieldstone. We are still raising $25,000 to complete this building, making it a gem in the forest for the glory of God. Because it is seasonal, it will have arched screened windows, using the surrounding natural beauty as a replacement for stained glass. Already a large crucifix hangs where the altar will be, in anticipation.

Returning to the parking lot and heading to the “Sacred Heart” Lodge, travelers pass by the large and accommodating bath-house, complete with hot water and handicap facilities, made of stone and logs.

Moving on to the lodge, which is nearing completion, beautiful pine floors and rustic log walls welcome one in the entry. A large open room on the first floor provides a kitchen and dining space with Shaker style cabinet and pine tables and a great room with a view of the lake filtering in through the trees. In the center of the first floor is a fireplace, which is yet to be faced with fieldstone. On that floor there is a bedroom and temporary first aid station and restrooms. Upstairs, with a balcony/loft are three rooms and baths and a sitting room. On the lakeside of the lodge is a wrap around porch.

Outside to the right of the lodge are volley-ball fields and along “Rosary Way” a sports field is in the final stages, with a projected use for next summer.

Landscaping is still a little rough in spots throughout the complex, but once the tour is over…it was obscured by the beautiful and complementary buildings nestled in the forest.

A bountiful lunch was served in the dining hall as visitors came and went throughout the day (some of whom traveled up to four hours to attend!) We are grateful beyond words for all the help we have received on this project throughout the past years. We promise our prayers in return to all and ask that God bless you in every way.