Father Anthony Wroblewski’s priestly journey has been shaped by unexpected callings, unwavering faith and a deep readiness to serve wherever needed. He began his priesthood at St. Jean Baptiste Church in Duluth, later Holy Family. In 2007, he was incardinated into the Diocese of Duluth and was assigned to Brainerd, where he found himself leading all pastoral duties for the area.

For ten years, Father Tony oversaw the construction of All Saints Church in Baxter, yet never had the chance to celebrate a single Mass there. Then in 2020, following the passing of Bishop Sirba and amid the challenges of the pandemic, he was reassigned to the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary and St. Mary Star of the Sea to help welcome a new bishop. Demonstrating his signature wit, Father Tony told his successor at All Saints, Father Michael Garry, “You are reaping what you did not sow!”

He thought that overseeing the building of the church in Baxter would be his final major project, but in 2023, Bishop Daniel Felton asked him to take over Our Lady of the Lakes Parish in Pequot Lakes and the building of its new church. Despite initial hesitation, Father Tony accepted, saying, “I’ll never refuse an obedience.” The bishop affirmed, “I need to send the one I know can get it done — and the only one I know who can is you.”

Reflecting on his journey, Father Tony often says, “Just when I believe I’m done, the Lord calls me again.”

A Voice from Assisi

In February of 2025, Father Tony and Father Daniel Weiske had planned a trip to Assisi following the conclusion of a retreat. However, just a day before the retreat ended, Father Tony contracted COVID — from none other than his good friend, Father James Bissonette. With a touch of humor, he told him, “Since you gave me COVID and I missed the trip, we’re going in May — and you’re covering a lot of the costs.” And so, they went.

The two arrived in Rome and made their way to Assisi, joined by Father Daniel Hammer, who was studying in Italy at the time. For Father Tony, a Secular Franciscan, the Franciscan heritage of Assisi held deep personal significance.

Their hotel happened to be near the Basilica of Saint Clare, a place they chose to visit for prayer. After Father Daniel returned home, Father Tony and Father Jim stayed an extra night. That afternoon, Father Tony suggested, “Let’s go to the basilica for a holy hour, then grab something to eat.”
Inside the basilica, Father Jim remained near the back, while Father Tony moved as close as possible to the sanctuary and the San Damiano crucifix. About 10 or 15 minutes into prayer, something extraordinary happened.

The Lord spoke to Father Tony — clearly and distinctly. The message was unmistakable:

 “I’m not just sending you there to build a church. I’m sending you there to build up the Church.”

It was overwhelming. Father Tony, who rarely experienced such direct messages, was deeply moved. He could count on one hand the number of times he had heard the Lord speak so clearly. This was one of them. Emotion welled up inside him. “Did You have to speak to me from the cross like You did to St. Francis?” he asked silently.

As he gathered himself, the lights in the chapel came on. A nun emerged and began lighting candles on the altar. Curious, Father Tony watched as, at 5:30, a large automatic wall opened, revealing the cloistered sisters behind a grill. A priest and server entered with the Blessed Sacrament.

Father Tony knelt as the Blessed Sacrament was placed on the altar for adoration. The monstrance was unlike the typical round ones—this one was cylindrical, more like the one often depicted in images of St. Clare holding it against the Saracens. It made perfect sense, given they were in her basilica.

The Lord had spoken to him, and now He was present on the altar. The sisters began chanting evening prayer. Father Tony, overwhelmed again, thought, “All right already, Lord — you don’t have to put an exclamation point on it!” He began to understand: this wasn’t just a bishop’s assignment. This was a 
divine calling.

Before leaving the basilica, Father Tony turned to St. Clare in prayer: “This happened in your house. You have to help me with this. I’m going to seek your intercession in all of it.”

As they stepped outside, Father Tony and Father Jim walked in silence — a rare and telling moment for the two friends. After a few quiet steps, Father Jim finally spoke.

“What happened in there?” he asked.

Father Tony paused, unsure what his friend was referring to.

“I could see it,” Father Jim continued. “Something happened.”

Father Tony then shared what he had just experienced. Father Jim listened intently, then simply responded, “Wow. That’s pretty real.”

Father Tony had initially believed the bishop’s decision to send him to Our Lady of the Lakes was a practical one — just a way to get the building project done. But now he knew it was more than that. The Holy Spirit had been guiding the bishop’s decision.

That realization brought Father Tony deep consolation. It wasn’t just about obedience — it was about divine purpose. He no longer approached the assignment with reluctance, but with freedom and peace, knowing it was what the Lord truly wanted.

Before leaving Assisi, Father Tony wrote a prayer to St. Clare, asking for her help. He planned to use that prayer throughout his new assignment — a reminder of the moment in Assisi when his mission was confirmed.

Where Faith Finds Its Name

Shortly after arriving at Our Lady of the Lakes, Father Tony shared his personal story about St. Clare during a Sunday homily and distributed the prayer he had written. Through a parishioner, that prayer reached the Poor Clare Monastery in St. Cloud, where the sisters began praying for Father Tony and his parish until the new church is dedicated.
Inspired by this, the parish began incorporating the St. Clare prayer into daily and weekend Mass routines. As plans for a new church building progressed, the prayer became central to every meeting and Father Tony began to wonder if God was hinting at a name for the new church.
Though the parish cluster was named Our Lady of the Lakes, Father Tony proposed naming the new church St. Clare, avoiding confusion with having the same name for both. The idea gained unanimous support from 
all parish councils.
Ultimately, the bishop issued a decree on August 11, St. Clare’s feast day, officially naming the new building St. Clare of Assisi Catholic Church. The parish would now have two churches — St. Clare and Our Lady of Lourdes — each with its own feast day, exactly six months apart.

The Vision of St. Clare

When architect Erica Markussen asked if the new church design should reflect a unifying principle, the growing devotion to St. Clare provided a clear answer. Inspired by the Basilica of St. Clare in Assisi, the new church’s design would feature layered stonework, basilica-style arches and wooden beams — culminating in a striking 12-foot San Damiano crucifix above the sanctuary.

A high altar and sacred imagery, possibly a golden mosaic of St. Clare holding a monstrance, will anchor the space. Four apse panels will depict scenes from St. Clare’s life, with custom artwork by a local artist deepening the spiritual atmosphere.

The church will be built on 40 acres between Nisswa and Pequot Lakes, with Father Tony already residing across the street in a new rectory built in 2024. The need for a larger space is evident, as summer Mass attendance often exceeds 600 people. Once completed, the new Mass schedule will consolidate four Sunday liturgies into three: one Saturday evening and two Sunday morning Masses — one at St. Clare and one at Our Lady of Lourdes.

More than just architecture, the vision for St. Clare of Assisi Catholic Church embodies the parish’s spiritual identity, unity and deep devotion to both Our Lady and St. Clare. It was in the quiet beauty of St. Clare’s Basilica in Assisi that Father Tony felt the Lord speak to his heart — a moment of divine clarity that ultimately led to the birth of a new church in her honor. What began as a whisper of grace has grown into a bold step of faith. 

Father Tony’s Prayer to St. Clare of Assisi

Glorious St. Claire of Assisi,
Guided by the Spirit, and with zeal for the Faith,
you sacrificed comfort for the cloister,
wealth for the soul’s health, and privilege for poverty.
Inspired by your love of Jesus and the Eucharist,
we humbly seek your intercession,
that we who have been chosen
to build up the Kingdom of God
may build a house of worship
that reflects God’s glory,
and our gratitude for His infinite goodness to us.
Dear St. Clare,
help us to see the importance of this project
as a testimony of our love of God,
and as our duty to lead others to Him,
so that our families, our community and our world,
for generations to come,
may live as His disciples here on earth,
and live with Him and all the saints in heaven.
Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
St. Clare, Pray for us!