Our Future Plans
Each year, our campus ministry leaders—like many other college missionary teams—fundraise to cover the expense of running The Grotto. This is about $70,000 per year, and thanks to the generosity of many of you—parents, alumni, and students—we have met our fundraising goal for several years in a row. However, each year we have barely met it, so we have not been able to save significantly towards renovation.
Recently, however, a substantial lead gift was pledged specifically towards the expansion of The Grotto. With these funds coming in, we have spent months carefully thinking about the needs of The Grotto and creating building plans. It is our prayer that this expansion will allow us to more fully serve the sacramental and spiritual needs of Hillsdale students while also maintaining the “homey” feel of The Grotto that students love so much.
Gathering
1,500 additional square feet of gathering space for lectures and events, as well as overflow seating for Mass.
Prayer
A small chapel for prayer, Adoration, and Mass, with the ability to overflow into the common space and seat up to 75 comfortably (many more can fit in an adjoining room).
Food
An expanded kitchen suitable for preparing meals for 150+ students on a weekly basis.
Private meetings
Private meeting areas for Confession and spiritual direction as well as small groups and Bible studies (no more Confession in the kitchen!).
Community
A partial basement for occasional game nights and other social events, distanced from the prayerful area surrounding the chapel.
Storage
A large foyer for coats, shoes, and backpacks and additional bathrooms and storage space.
View preliminary blueprints here.
Will you please join us in serving the students of Hillsdale College?
As the only Catholic Church in the whole of Hillsdale County, our small, rural parish has relied on the sacrificial giving of parents, students, and alumni from throughout the country to grow The Grotto into the flourishing ministry that it is today.
With great gratitude for these supporters and for the steady growth we have experienced, we humbly ask you to help us make room for each and every student who wishes to meet Our Lord at The Grotto.
Please note: St. Anthony's cannot accept gifts to the Expansion Fund from Catholics living within the Diocese of Lansing. Contact us to find other other ways you can help!
If you wish to give by check, please make out the check to St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church with "Grotto expansion" in the memo line and mail to 11 North Broad Street, Hillsdale, MI 49242.
For information on gifts of stock or other assets, please call us at 517-437-3305.
Thank you
for your generous support!
Please pray with us
