February, the month of heart-health & love, Ash Wednesday and the season of Lent & spiritual growth. 

 

Center of Renewal, your home-away-from-home retreat center of choice.

 

WELCOME to the CENTER OF RENEWAL where we are pleased to create an environment of hospitality and spirituality for our retreat guests, both organized groups and individual private retreatants. 

Now is the perfect time to take a break from the stress and strains life has given us for over two years due the pandemic and related issues.  Imagine yourself focusing on a relaxing, spiritual renewal retreat.  Call us to reserve and confirm your overnight retreats, whether for your organization, ministry, group, or even just yourself

COVID-19 Pandemic Protocols Updated 10/1/22

Although we encourage our guests to be fully vaccinated, we have stopped confirming vaccination status as of October 1, 2022. 

This remains subject to change should circumstances require a revision in our current procedures. 

We look forward to welcoming you to the Center of Renewal at Stella Niagara!

 

TO CONTACT OUR STAFF &/OR MAKE A RESERVATION: 

Please call us at 716-754-7376 (Ext. 1 or 2) to make reservations for future dates from now through the end of 2026.  Our office staffing schedules are flexible based upon guest need and projects underway, and phone messages are retrieved daily. 

As always, through your individual (private) or group retreats at Stella Niagara's Center of Renewal, we welcome the opportunity to provide the perfect environment to enhance your spiritual journey.

 

DEVOTION-BY-DISTANCE & OTHER RETREAT CENTER PROGRAMMING

All of our Devotion-by-Distance programs are designed to feature various types of retreat programming based on adult distance learning principles and will include discussion groups, online retreats, and courses.  In addition, in-person retreats may be preached, directed, guided, workshops, and/or other modes to enhance one's spiritual journey and personal growth.  

Gift certificates for any current or future retreat center programming, including the new “Devotion-by-Distance” programs, are also available. To register or for more information, call the Center of Renewal at 716-754-7376, ext. 1/Nancy or 2/Donna.

PLAN NOW TO 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 46 years in retreat center ministry here in Western New York.  Only 10 miles north of majestic Niagara Falls, New York via the Niagara Scenic Parkway, the 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 60-90 guests and multiple groups (during non-COVID-pandemic-restrictions) 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 48th anniversary year of retreat center ministry, COR officially opened in July 1974 and has operated year-round since then (only closed for Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas holiday time periods).

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 throughout the year typically include various online and in-person programs in spiritual growth and wellness provided in a variety of adult learning 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. We look forward to celebrating our 50th anniversary in 2024, and we currently have groups booked for their favorite choices of retreat-stay days into 2025.

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
  • Music (piano in Main Lounge and organ in COR Chapel meeting room)
  • Spiritual Directors available by advanced appointment (and additional fee) for private or group retreatants
  • Various sponsored and group retreats and other programs
  • Customized retreats and workshops on various topics and themes  
  • On-site professional group facilitator specializing in mission integration (core values, mission, vision, purpose), strategic planning, workplace relationships, management & staff development, performance excellence
  • Events include private or group retreats, workshops, spiritual and wellness events, excursions & adventures, and more
  • Located immediately across the road leading down to the Lower Niagara River is the Stella Niagara Preserve, owned and 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 design and deploy programs, workshops, and retreats on multiple customized topics for your group.

Call us today to schedule your ucoming retreat, workshop, program, gathering, or meeting (716) 754-7376, Ext. 1 or 2

Come enjoy our interfaith hospitality at Stella Niagara's Center of Renewal.

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PRIVATE & DIRECTED RETREATS AVAILABLE -- Call us today!

Isn't it time for your next retreat, or perhaps your first one?

 

Upcoming Retreat Programs

ASH WEDNESDAY RETREAT DAY (9:00 AM to 4:00 PM) - Wednesday, February 22, 2023.  Ash Wednesday retreat-workshop will focus on practical aspects of Lenten spirituality.  Facilitated by Center of Renewal Executive Director Nancy P. Askins, PhD, this retreat will feature multiple adult learning techniques enhanced by one’s individual insight, vision, and understanding. Each retreatant will be given options to personalize their retreat day to include insightful discussions, meditative music, and reflective activities to enrich this year’s sacred six weeks of Lent. Ashes will be administered by Mission Integration Minister Sr. Pat McMahon, OSF in a prayer service during the retreat day.  Each retreatant will receive a Lenten booklet for daily meditation to use during Lent, and the retreat will also include lunch, coffee breaks, and periods for personal contemplative time to further enrich their retreat experience. Advance reservations ($40) are due by February 8th (two-weeks prior) to ensure adequate seating, materials, and meals; however, a limited number of late pre-registrations ($50) might be possible for an additional fee if space is available.  Call 716-754-7376, Ext. 1 or 2 for details anc/or flier via email.

NEW THIS LENT / LENTEN GOSPEL EVENING SERIES:  On the five Thursdays of Lent (2/23/23 through 3/23/23), we’ll offer “Meeting the Gospel People of Lent” focused on each of the following Sunday's Gospels, co-led by Sr. Colleen Shanahan, OSF and Sr. Patricia McMahon, OSF.  Opening prayer 5:15 PM, 5:30 dinner, retreat from 6:30-8:00 PM.  Opportunities are also available to link these evenings to an overnight personal retreat.  Just ask for details when you call to register for each Thursday's program.  Separate deadlines for each week of the Lenten Gospel Series are 14 days prior to each Thursday starting with Feb. 9th for the session on Feb. 23.  Call 716-754-7376, Ext. 1 or 2 for details anc/or flier via email.

 

NEXT SESSION IN FEBRUARY 2023 / CONTEMPLATIVE PRAYER GROUP meets the 1st Tuesday evening of each month. Advance reservations are not needed for this ongoing event, but feel free to call us to confirm a particular session will meet.  Questions? Please call Center of Renewal at 716-754-7376, Ext. 1 or 2.  

MARK YOUR NEW 2023 CALENDARS NOW

2023 ADVENT SILENT RETREAT WEEKEND by Sr. Marcella Kiesel, OSF.  Friday to Sunday, December 1-2-3, 2023.  More details to follow in 2023.  Sr. Marcella's retreats are always a meaningful, deeply spiritual experience.  Mark your new 2023 calendar for the first weekend in December to participate in our two-night retreat which will run from Friday dinner through just after Sunday lunch.  Call us to be placed on our list to receive the flier when completed next year.

ASH WEDNESDAY RETREAT DAY (9:00 AM to 4:00 PM) - Wednesday, February 22, 2023.  Details forthcoming. Call us to be placed on our list to receive the flier when completed next year.

 

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