CORONAVIRUS ANNOUNCEMENT (updated 6/30/20)
Our reopening date for the retreat center has been delayed until possibly later this summer. We greatly appreciate everyone's patience and understanding during these challenging times.
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. The sisters extend a warm welcome to guests of the on-campus Center of Renewal (COR) Retreat & Conference Center once we reopen, with mutual acceptance of new safety protocols throughout Stella Niagara made necessary due to COVID-19.
For the optimal safety of sisters, staff, students, and guests, ALL COR GUESTS MUST AGREE TO ADHERE TO STRICT COVID-19 PROTOCOLS. These include, but are not limited to, wearing a mask in ALL common areas and meeting rooms plus staying exclusively in specific areas of the Center of Renewal or outside, thus not having any access into other campus buildings or areas.
Unfortunately, any COR guests who choose not to abide by and live with the new protocols will need to leave, thus not being allowed to remain in the retreat center nor at all on the Stella Niagara campus. These requirements are to ensure overall safety of all sisters, staff, and COR guests.
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" or "worksite".
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 include face masks, hand sanitizers, gloves, and good health. Others will be delineated and explained in further detail, including social distancing in meeting rooms and dining areas, limitations on total number of attendees in group, etc.
For example, all guests should bring and wear a FACE MASK when in any common area (which only excludes one's own sleeping room, when taking a shower, and when eating at your place in the dining room). We also ask guests to bring their own HAND SANITIZER for everyone's mutual health and safety. Most importantly, guests should only come to the retreat center if FEELING WELL, i.e., any guest who is not feeling well should NOT come to the retreat center, 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.
No one will be allowed to enter any area outside of COR's designated open areas (Floors 3-2-1 and basement meeting room areas only). Absolutely no one will be permitted past the COR elevator area by the loading dock, thus limiting the number of people entering the main campus building from outside. Of course, COR guests will have access to areas assigned to them for their designated retreat gathering.
Again, anyone not adhering to the new safety protocols will be asked to immediately leave the premises, since our goal is to provide safe surroundings for the sisters-in-residence as well as all staff, students, and guests.
TEMPORARILY CLOSED: To provide for everyone's health and safety during this challenging time of the Covid-19 virus, our retreat center is currently closed. Any additional changes will be made going forward given existing variables plus revised mandates and guidelines.
CONTACTING OUR STAFF: Our offices at the retreat center are also temporarily closed during this time. However, all four office phones are being checked periodically throughout the day by staff working offsite; we will return your call within 24 hours. We are currently taking reservations for future dates through December 31, 2024.
Please feel free to leave a voice-mail message for a return call (716-754-7376: 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 almost 70 guests and multiple groups 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. Having celebrated our 45th anniversary last year in 2019, 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, plus hospitality for retreats and meetings of varying types of organized groups and not-for-profit organizations.
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.
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.
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