My wife Beth and I own a small parcel of land on the beautiful and secluded Lake George in the heart of the pine forests of northern Minnesota.

Lake George lies about seven miles east of Itasca State Park where the great Mississippi river begins its 2,500-mile journey to the Gulf of Mexico.

On this little piece of land, we intend to build St. Francis Lodge, a log home overlooking the lake and dedicated to being a place where young women intent on becoming Catholic Sisters can go to have some peace from the city. It will also be a place where full-time Sisters can go to get away and find some rest, at no charge.

The sound of the loons on the lake and the smell of the forest, along with my wife's great cooking, will hopefully be a welcome and relaxing environment for these special women.

After receiving several offers of support for this work, we have established a number of memorials by which others may contribute.

A bronze plaque in memory of each contributor will be placed in the area of their support. If you would like to participate, please call Sal at 612.382.3582 or e-mail him at saldileo@aol.com. Note that these donations are not tax deductible.

A list of benefactors is presented on this page.

A short progress report is available here, some pictures are shown here, pictures of the chapel construction are shown here, and architectural drawings may be seen here.
 

St. Francis Lodge Fund Raisers If you, your family, church group, or other organization would like to help us raise money for the building of St. Francis Lodge, we would be happy to post it here on this website. Our goal is to raise $787,000 to build the main lodge, chapel, and retreat quarters for the Sisters. Rummage sales, sales of our book Did I Ever Thank You, Sister?, as well as any other ideas you may have are welcome. For more information please call Sal or Beth Di Leo at 612.789.2795. God bless you! Please note that contributions are not tax deductible. The Official Dedication Of St. Francis Lodge Sunday, August 31, 2003 6:00 pm Father Rolf Tollefson, from St. Charles Borromeo Church in MInneapolis, "Blessed and Dedicated" St. Francis Lodge on Sunday,  August 31, 2003.  Here are some pictures from the occasion. Father Rolf Tollefson with Kate Di Leo at the Blessing of St. Francis Lodge

Our Lady of the Lake Grotto Benefactor ($250): Margaret Manley. Please click here to view a PDF page containing recent (December, 2005) pictures of the Margaret Manley Memorial Chapel.

Help us help the nuns!

If you wish to help us build St. Francis Lodge, you can do it in a very  simple way. We are asking you to purchase for yourself, or as a gift for your relatives or friends, a copy of my book Did I Ever Thank You, Sister (click on  Order Page).

Each manuscript will be signed with a personal note to you or someone  receiving this gift from you, numbered, and dated. The purchase price is $25, plus $7.00 for priority mail. It can be an ideal gift for those you love, and a donation to a most worthy cause.

Finally, If you would be interested in being the benefactor of a printing of 25 of our books to help us offset our costs, we will place a memorial in the back of cover of each book that reads "Printed in memory of whomever" you wish to mention. It will also be placed on the "Benefactors" page on our website and in our "Benefctors Journal" that will be placed in our Chapel for daily prayers. It will be a special blessing and memorial for someone you love and you will be helping us build St. Francis Lodge for the Nuns. The suggested donation is $250 for printing of twenty five manuscripts.

Thank you and God Bless you and your family.

Sal and Beth Di Leo

Stations of The Cross Benefactors ($250):
The Stations are the work of Sister Mary Ann Osborne.  Read more about Sister Mary Ann and her work.

Please click on a Station number to see a picture of that Station.

St. Francis Lodge Sculpture Garden Benefactors ($1,000):

1. ___________________

2. ___________________

3. ___________________

4. ___________________

5. ___________________

St. Francis Lodge Pond Garden Benefactor ($2,500): ___________________

St. Francis Lodge Flower Garden Benefactor ($2,500): ___________________

St. Francis Lodge Fountain Benefactor ($5,000): ___________________

St. Francis Lodge Grotto Patio Benefactor ($5,000): ___________________

St. Francis Lodge Library Benefactors ($5,000):

1. ___________________

2. ___________________

St. Francis Lodge Gazebo Benefactor ($7,000): ___________________

St. Francis Lodge Bridge to the Chapel Benefactor ($10,000): ___________________

St. Francis Lodge Docks Benefactor ($15,000): ___________________

St. Francis Lodge Pontoon Boat Benefactor ($15,000): ___________________

St. Francis Lodge Elevator and Stairs to Lake Benefactor ($35,000):
 ___________________

St. Francis Lodge Van Benefactor ($40,000): ___________________

St. Francis Lodge Bunk House Benefactor ($65,000): ___________________

St. Francis Lodge Chapel Benefactor ($135,000): ___________________