The Friars have had the constant support of many countless friends and benefactors in establishing and growing this ministry. The work of our loyal retreat captains over these many years have been our eyes, ears, hands and feet in the community. We rely on these wonderfully giving men and women to reach out to individual retreatants, answer questions and promote our retreats. Some of the captains have served decades in this ministry. Others are just beginning. We are indebted to them for the support they provide.

Our many benefactors, many wishing to remain anonymous, have made it possible to maintain our building and make key additions or renovations. We are indebted to them for so many improvements and needed repairs. In 2003-2004 the fallout from the Walkerton crisis was addressed as new municipal regulations were put into place across Canada to ensure water safety. After 2003 we could no longer use the natural spring water as our main water source that had served us for over 50 years and from then on relied on Cochrane’s municipal water system. Our spring water is used for the gardens and yard. In 2005 major repairs were needed with the building itself to bring it up to current code before overnight retreats could be held once more. In 2010 St. Elizabeth Place was renovated to create extra bedrooms and a small meeting room. In 2011 a new bell tower was constructed. 2013 saw improvements to the grounds, the construction of an outdoor pavilion used for youth events and our annual Greccio Christmas pageant, and the addition of the bronze statues depicting the story of “St. Francis and the Wolf of Gubbio”. In 2019 repairs were needed to our conference room and water lines. These major projects, as well as the many annual donations we receive have shown the intimate partnership that has existed from the beginning between the Mount and its’ benefactors and friends.