NEWS LETTER Christmas 2006

Dear Friends,

2006 has truly been one of many miracles at St. Francis Lodge. God has really Blessed us this year.

Over the course of the past 12 months we have had so many wonderful people come into our lives and contribute to the building of the Margaret Manley Memorial Chapel at St. Francis Lodge. Believe us when we say that this little 14' x 20' chapel is a work of beauty and love for God. It has truly become a beautiful reminder that this little Mission of St. Francis Lodge belongs to God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

On May 20th, 2006, we had the chapel "dedicated" with a most beautiful outdoor Mass celebrated by Father Rolph Tollefson of Minneapolis. Father Rolph made the four-hour journey to St. Francis Lodge to consecrate the chapel and the sacred altar. Although we only had a shell for the chapel, with only a steel roof on a wooden frame, we held our service anyway.

Several Sisters of St. Francis from Joliet, IL, came hundred of miles to join us on this beautiful occasion (These are the same order of Nuns who raised me and my brother and two sisters at the Guardian Angel Home orphanage in the 1960s). Also in attendance were some of the volunteers and benefactors who helped us over the past year. This group consisted of many denominations of christianity. Sister Rose Marie Surwilo said it best after the dedication when she proclaimed, "This project is a very ecumenical mission for God."

Very soon we will have the chapel completed and we look forward to the day when we offer up our first Holy Mass in the chapel for the volunteers and benefactors of St. Francis Lodge. What a beautiful day that will be.

We hope you will someday make a trek up to Lake George, Minnesota to see this little peace of heaven that you have had a part in.

May God Bless you, your family and loved ones, and your livelihood this next year. You are in our daily prayers.

Sal, Beth, Jane, and Kate Di Leo

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