Twenty-five years ago a pair of Franciscan Sisters moved out to 40 acres of scenic countryside near Annandale with the intention of developing an idyllic retreat center where guests could connect with nature and themselves.
From humble beginnings, Clare’s Well has become a destination for women and also men who are looking for solitude, a place to hike or reflect and time to enjoy the outdoors. The location now serves about 900 overnight guests per year, not including those who return multiple times during the year, as well as many more who come out for a day trip.
"We were approached by someone from the Advocate when we started in 1988 who wanted us to tell them why we were here, how this was going to unfold," said Sister Carol Schmit, who has been at Clare’s Well from the beginning. "It was a lot of ‘We’re hoping that… We envision that…’ And now it has come true. It’s amazing."
Clare’s Well, which is named for Clare of Assisi, a 13th century woman, saint, mystic and friend of Francis of Assisi, will be holding an open house to celebrate its 25th anniversary from 1 to 4 p.m. this Sunday, June 9, at the farm location, 13537 47th Street NW in Annandale.
All are welcome. The day begins with a short program, followed by a presentation by Heart of the Beast Puppet Theatre called "Are You Thirsty?" at 2 p.m. Food and water from the well will also be available.
Starting small
Clare’s Well started as a ramshackle rental farm with a four-bedroom house, a barn and garage, and a pair of pig sheds.
"When Aggie and I came here I had just turned 50 and we were very excited about this new thing," said Schmit. "All we could do this first year was work hard to put it in order. We had very little equipment and we had to beg for everything we had. But we were willing to do that because we felt that there was a call that what we were attempting to meet – greater awareness of our own spirituality, of our care of the earth and to our Franciscan background. We were just doing exactly what we wanted to do."
Today, the farm is owned by the Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls and bursts with life and color. Small animals, flowers and gardens abound, a "successful" hail storm has brought new roofs and siding through insurance, five acres of land have been converted back to prairie that includes a walking labyrinth to promote reflection, three unique "hermitages" provide overnight accommodations for guests, and Sabbath Pond provides a swimming dock and canoeing opportunities.
Construction of a wellness center has brought massage facilities, a sauna and a hot tub, and a new deck and prayer chapel provide additional avenues for reflection and spiritual focus.
"It was very dry and hot in 1988. We had no air-conditioning, just a fan. Fifteen years later we were able to put in geothermal heating and cooling. So there has been lots of development like that," said Schmit. "The first year we hardly had a push lawn mower, and now we have a big riding lawn mower.
"And I’m talking about physical things. Those are the most obvious. We can’t measure what has happened in the hearts of people, but we know there has been impact there too."
The Sisters
Schmit has seen the development of Clare’s Well from the beginning, but her founding partner, Sister Aggie Soenneker, passed away in 2007.
Other staff currently at the facility include Sisters Jan Kilian and Paula Pohlmann, who have been at the farm for 15 years and five years, respectively. Massage therapist Roxanne Wagner of Annandale has also assisted at Clare’s Well for the past 15 years.
While running the farm is a lot of work, the Sisters have a different perspective on work than most people. Pohlmann came to the farm from her previous station in Berkeley, Calif. and views it as a sort of retirement.
"Coming here, I felt within my heart that this was what I must do, and what I wanted to do. And it has been just very, very satisfying," she said. "I am the oldest of the set here, and so another part of me probably wants to take a little more time away from the work. I feel that it’s a place I can give as much energy as I have, but not need to do more. So it is a good place to be."
While that might be Pohlmann’s view, her companions don’t see any signs of slowing down.
"She only works 14 hours a day," laughed Kilian.
"Trust me, these women don’t know anything about the word retirement," added Wagner.
All the hard work of maintaining the grounds and providing a refuge for others pays off, the Sisters say, when they hear feedback about what time spent at Clare’s Well has meant to visitors.
"It feels so worthwhile when I hear people say what their time here meant to them, how healing it is," said Kilian. "Sometimes they come back a month or a year later and say what happened – amazing things. People tell us they were ready to commit suicide, things that extreme, and somehow they got grounded and found meaning here."
Ministry of hospitality
Those coming to Clare’s Well to do "the inner work," as Pohlmann called it, will find a welcoming and unobtrusive staff.
"We stay out of their way. We don’t do programs. We offer hospitality," said Kilian. "We do the cooking and we’re here. Most people eat with us around this table, so there is always conversation that can be at any level around the table, but then they go their own way and we do whatever needs to be done to keep the place going."
Wagner agreed.
"I see it as we’re just holding a space here for them where whatever needs to come up for them can come up and it’s a safe place for that to happen," she said. "People find great refuge here. And it’s interesting how often someone comes and is dealing with something like cancer, and another guest will be here that is dealing with that as well."
Into the future
While the first 25 years brought development and growth, the Sisters say that Clare’s Well is now operating at the level it should in terms of staying small and peaceful enough for visitors to accomplish its purpose.
"We’re at the point where we’re not asking any more. We’re kind of at the max of what we feel our capacity is," said Schmit.
In addition, dwindling numbers among the Franciscan Sisters order raises the spector of staffing challenges in the future.
"We’re in an unclear time about where the movement will be, but we’re hoping that the work that has been begun and fostered through the years will in some way be carried on," said Pohlmann.
But no amount of future speculation has clouded the present operations at the farm or attitudes of the Sisters, who are energetically involved in local activities and organizations like the Annandale Area Community Team.
"We’re very grateful for the support of the local community. We have felt very local and have been able to participate in what is going on in Annandale," said Kilian. "We do whatever we can to be participants. If something is going on we try to show up."
While admitting she might like to sit down long enough to read a book all day, Schmit said the Sisters aren’t ready to slow down.
"We’re not just saying, ‘We’ve been here for 25 years, amen,’" she said. "We’re always challenging ourselves to be actively engaged."
■ For more information on Clare’s Well, call 274-3512 or see www.clareswell.org.
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