BLESSINGS TO YOU ... WE'RE OPEN ONCE AGAIN (9/20/20)! CALL TODAY TO SCHEDULE YOUR RETREAT IN OUR SAFE, HEALTHY SPACE FOR SPIRITUAL RENEWAL.
We greatly appreciate everyone's patience and understanding during these challenging times due to the pandemic since March, and we are pleased to announce our retreat center can now schedule retreats for individuals and groups. Just call (716)754-7376 (Ext. 1/Nancy or Ext. 2/Donna).
Stella Niagara is first and foremost the motherhouse of the Sisters of St. Francis of Penance & Christian Charity, Holy Name Province, including the home of many sisters-in-residence. With the reopening of our on-campus Center of Renewal (COR) Retreat & Conference Center after the COVID-19 pause in New York, we look forward to once again welcoming you in person.
To provide a safe, healthy space for your spiritual renewal, our high cleaning standards have been further enhanced to include recommended pandemic-related practices and protocols. For the optimal safety of sisters, staff, students, and guests, we of course expect all COR guests will abide by and live with the new protocols while here.
We welcome the opportunity to talk with you via phone (716/754-7376, Ext. 1 or 2) to further clarify expectations designed to optimize your safety and that of all those who consider Stella Niagara their "home", "workplace", or "retreat center of choice".
NEW PROTOCOL HIGHLIGHTS: We will provide all guests with specific details on new operational protocols necessary for health and safety, either via mail, phone, or on this website. Basic protocols to be in the building include face masks, hand sanitizer, optional gloves as needed, and good health. Other protocols will be delineated and explained in further detail, including proper social distancing in meeting rooms and dining areas, limitations on total number of attendees in group, etc.
Of special note is how guests feel their day of arrival. Guests should only come to the retreat center if FEELING WELL, i.e., any guest who is not feeling well should stay home and should call us to cancel their intended visit. Only individuals attending a retreat will be granted access to the building. TEMPERATURES will be taken of each person entering the building, as well as being asked key questions as per CDC regulations. Anyone with elevated temperatures will need to immediately vacate the building.
Once guests have been cleared by COR staff to enter, guests should plan to stay on campus to help maintain a "safe space". Thus, no one will be permitted in-and-out, leave-and-return trips during their stay at COR, thus limiting the potential of re-introducing the virus on campus.
To safety limit the numbers of people entering the main campus/convent/school building, COR guests will have access only to areas assigned to them for their designated retreat gathering (COR floors 1-2-3 and COR basement meeting rooms). Other areas are off-limits to COR guests; stop signs will be clearly posted designating areas to avoid entering.
MEALS: To maintain strict compliance with COVID-19 pandemic safety & health protocols preventing communal servings and potential transmission of the virus, food may not be brought in from outside. Also, no outside meal deliveries will be permitted to be brought onto the property.
All meals for our retreatants will be portioned and served by our onsite caterer which follows strict health & safety protocols. Meals will feature individual servings using disposable containers appropriate to the food being served. Also, everyone will receive individually packaged condiments, salt/pepper, plastic flatware, napkins, etc. to limit touching by others. Please call us at 716-754-7376, Ext. 1 or 2, if you have questions regarding meals related to your upcoming retreat.
CONTACTING OUR STAFF: Our offices at the retreat center are staffed on a flexible basis. We are currently taking reservations for future dates through December 31, 2024. Please call us at 716-754-7376 to reach Nancy/Ext. 1, Donna/Ext. 2, Shelly/Ext. 3, Jan/Ext. 4). Also, we ask you to slowly repeat your phone number and name for clarity.
COME ENJOY OUR INTERFAITH HOSPITALITY
Stella Niagara's Center of Renewal Retreat & Conference Center provides the ideal location for your next retreat ... or perhaps your first one. We have been sharing our interfaith hospitality for over 45 years in retreat center ministry here in Western New York. Only 10 miles north of majestic Niagara Falls, New York, Center of Renewal at Stella Niagara is a community of service. In the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi, we provide hospitality, promote spiritual growth, and foster the development of people. Individuals and groups are welcome to this environment of peace and beauty.
Center of Renewal Retreat & Conference Center at Stella Niagara (COR) is a welcoming interfaith retreat center sponsored by Sisters of St. Francis of Penance & Christian Charity, Holy Name Province.
Able to house up to approximately 50 guests and multiple groups applying COVID-19 safety limitations in our overnight faith-based facility, Center of Renewal is located on the grounds of Stella Niagara, two miles north of the Village of Lewiston, New York and only ten miles north of majestic Niagara Falls, an easy drive on the Niagara Scenic Parkway. Currently in our 46th anniversary of retreat center ministry, COR officially opened in July 1974 and has operated year-round since then.
The retreat center offers sponsored retreats, faith-based workshops, values-based programs, excursions & adventures, plus hospitality for retreats and meetings of varying types of organized groups and not-for-profit organizations. New offerings in late summer 2020 will include various online programs in spiritual growth and wellness provided in a variety of formats.
Center of Renewal at Stella Niagara provides a wide variety of spiritual enrichment and learning opportunities for adults seeking growth, relaxation, reflection, study, and healing.
A quiet, peaceful site, Center of Renewal at Stella Niagara offers:
- Retreats (single days, evenings, overnights)
- Reflective, contemplative times and locations on property including outdoor labyrinth, nature trails, Peace Garden, riverside chapel, Stations of the Cross and more
- Arts and crafts (by advance arrangements)
- Music (piano in Main Lounge and organ in COR Chapel meeting room)
- Spiritual directors available by advanced appointment for private or group retreatants
- Various sponsored and group programs
- On-site professional group facilitator plus spiritual directors available for customized retreats and workshops on various topics and themes
- Events include private or group retreats, workshops, spiritual and wellness events, bus excursions & adventures, and more
- Located immediately across the road from Stella Niagara Preserve (leading to the Lower Niagara River), operated by the Western New York Land Conservancy
As an option to further enhance your group day and overnight retreats and meetings, our executive director is a certified master trainer and facilitator who is available to deploy programs, workshops, and retreats on multiple customized topics for your group.
Find us on:
