Celebrating Our 50th Year of Retreat Center Ministry (1974 - 2024)

 

PLAN NOW TO JOIN OUR 50th ANNIVERSARY EVENT

SUNDAY, SEPT. 15, 2024 (2:00-4:00 PM)

 

2:00 PM  Ceremony in Stella Niagara Sisters' Chapel 

followed by reception and acknowledgments 

in Center of Renewal Dining Room

(light afternoon refreshments, music by harpist)

No cost to attend, but reservations are required to ensure adequate seating and refreshments.  Please call us at 716-754-7376, Ext. 1 by Labor Day to reserve your space(s).  Just leave name, number of people attending, and phone number.                                                               

 

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

 

Did you know that the Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima is only three short miles from our retreat center? Call us to arrange an overnight retreat stay with us and a pilgrimage to Our Lady of Fatima Shrine in  Lewiston (www.fatimashrine.com).

 

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

 

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 planning to celebrate our 50th anniversary year of retreat center ministry in 2024, COR officially opened in July 1974 and has operated year-round since then.  We are only closed for Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas holiday time periods, and otherwise operate 24/7 with advance confirmed reservations.

The retreat center offers sponsored retreats, faith-based workshops, values-based programs, occasional 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 currently have groups booked for their favorite choices of retreat-stay days into 2026.

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.

MEALS & BEVERAGES:  All meals are included in your daily retreat package. We also offer 24/7 beverage service for a nominal daily fee.  As you plan your retreat, please be advised that no food or alcoholic beverages are to be brought onto the campus or into the retreat center; this also means no meals or food items can be delivered from outside. The only exception is that each person can bring minimal SNACKS (not meals) for their own personal consumption, with no sharing with others due to health regulations. Call us for details as needed.

CUSTOMIZED WORKSHOPS:  As an option to further enhance your group day and overnight retreats and meetings (both at our retreat center or your location), our executive director is a certified master trainer and seasoned facilitator particularly experienced in not-for-profits and faith-based ministries. She is available to design and deploy programs, workshops, and retreats on multiple customized topics for your group, particularly core values, mission integration, strategic planning, performance excellence, organizational & leadership development, corporate wellness, and more.

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

 

#1: SUFFERING: A Path of Spiritual Transformation (day retreat) by Sr. Marcella Kiesel, OSF

Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024

SEPT. 3 - Final deadline to pre-register for Sr. Marcella Kiesel's Day retreat (Suffering: A Path of Spiritual Transformation):

  • Retreat scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024

  • 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM (Sign-in & coffee 9:00-9:50 AM)

  • Only $75 per person

  • Includes 120-page published book on the theme, morning coffee, lunch, retreat, and handouts

 

We can each experience a wide range of suffering in our daily lives: Physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, social, occupational, relationships, divorce, trauma, birth defects, financial, homelessness, diminishments of any kind. This special retreat day will open new possibilities about how to deal with suffering in our lives with a meaningful connection to our own spirituality. To enhance the learning experience post-retreat, each retreatant will also receive a personal copy of a book focused on Seven Stages of Suffering.       

Plan now to participate in this unique retreat day!

Contact us by 4:00 PM on Sept. 3rd to pre-register; we are unable to accept reservations after 9/3/24 due to catering deadlines.

Retreat Presenter:  Sr. Marcella Kiesel, OSF is a Franciscan Sister of Penance and Christian Charity, an international congregation.  Her ministries have included registered nursing, college teaching, rural and urban work directly with the poor, teaching English to immigrants, and directing retreats throughout the United States, Canada, and in Tanzania, East Africa.  Sister Marcella presently resides in a hermitage on campus and is available for Spiritual Direction throughout the year at the Center of Renewal at Stella Niagara.

Sr. Marcella's final retreat in 2024 will be her Advent Retreat Weekend,  Dec. 6-8, 2024. Call the Center of Renewal at 716-754-7376, Ext. 1 for a detailed flier and to pre-register by the November 22nd deadline.

#2: CONTEMPLATIVE PRAYER GROUP - All are welcome!

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.  

 

#3: Make a Joyful Noise to the Lord! 

Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024   (5:00-8:00 PM) 

Part of our Evening of Prayer series -- Late summer session

Call 716-754-7376, Ext. 1 or 2 for detailed flier and pre-registration form.

August 21 2024 by 5:00 PM is the Pre-Registration Deadline: Call 716-754-7376, Ext. 1 or 2.

Plan now to attend our late summer Evening of Prayer mini-retreat, Make a Joyful Noise to the Lord.

  • Active drumming by all participants in an enjoyable, faith-filled experience
  • Learn how to enjoy a simple activity which can elicit smiles, laughter, fun, and personal insight simultaneously
  • Explore Scripture passages, hymns, and prayers to help inspire an upbeat mood
  • Expand your right and left brain stimulation through self-expression while enjoying involvement with others. Share blessings with others!

Trained facilitator Carolyn Zimmerman (www.drum4health.net) will simplify and facilitate the session’s primary unique group  activities that combine proven health-promoting strategies including self-expression, group support, nurturing, exercise, stress reduction, and of course, music-making.   

Pre-registrations by 8/21/24 are required. PLEASE PLAN AHEAD and PRE-REGISTER by AUGUST 21 @ 5:00 PM.

  • No reservations can be accepted after 8/21/24 due to catering deadlines.  

  • Interested in extending your Evening of Prayer to an overnight or weekend retreat? Just ask us about special overnight retreat rates.

 

#4:  Evenings of Prayer Mini-Retreats

 

LATE SUMMER: Wed., Sept. 4, 2024 (Pre-registration deadline - Aug. 21)

FALL: Wed., Nov. 6, 2024                          (Pre-registration deadline - Oct. 23) 

 

ALL SESSIONS 5:00 to 8:00 PM.  Check-in 4:30-4:55 PM (earlier check-in available with advance arrangements; just call for details)  

Mark your 2024 calendars now and plan to pre-register for our Evening of Prayer Series mini-retreats. 

  • Come and celebrate our wonderful seasons here in Western New York! 
  • Explore the spiritual benefits of taking time to refresh, renew, and rejuvenate.
  • Opening prayers followed by a theme-decorated dinner.
  • Retreats are varied in themes and content, which could include poetry, music, readings, sharing memories, handouts, and quiet time, all to celebrate the colors and symbols of each respective season and theme
  • Why not extend your Evening of Prayer retreat to include an overnight that evening, and/or extend the Evening of Prayer to some additional private retreat days (details available)?

Each 2024 Evening of Prayer is only $35 per person and includes dinner

PLEASE PLAN AHEAD or you will miss out on these special favorite mini-retreat evenings, each one quite unique! 

Pre-registrations due by 5:00 PM two-weeks prior to scheduled date; no reservations will be accepted after that date due to catering deadline requirements.

#5:  ADVENT 2024 GUIDED RETREAT WEEKEND by Sr. Marcella Kiesel, OSF

Weekend Retreat: Fri-Sat-Sun., Dec. 6-7-8, 2024

Pre-registration deadline 5:00 PM on Friday, Nov, 22, 2024 @ 5:00 PM (716-754-7376, Ext. 1 or 2)

Prepare ye the way of the Lord!  Plan now to enhance your spiritual journey during Advent this year leading up to Christmas.

  • Sr. Marcella’s Guided Retreat Weekend will begin Friday afternoon with check-in and evening dinner followed by an official welcome, introductions, schedule review, and evening Advent prayer.

  • Saturday will include all three meals, two conferences, silent prayer time, and group sharing.

  • Sunday will start with breakfast, time for personal reflection, Mass or services at area churches, and departure after the noon meal. 

  • Full weekend retreat = $240 per person includes overnight accommodations, all meals and refreshment breaks, retreat and handouts. $50 non-refundable deposit due at pre-registration.

  • Commuter options available. 

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