August brings us long summer days for fun in the sun ... and love of the Son. Blessings to you and yours!

 

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

 

CALL NOW TO PRE-REGISTER:

 

#1:  "VACATIONS TO ENJOY: Discovering God's Love of Life"  - - Pre-register by Aug. 7th

(Evening of Prayer Seasonal Series of Mini-Retreats)

Monday, August 21, 2023

5:00 to 8:00 PM.  Check-in 4:30-4:55 PM  

Sign up today to join us for VACATIONS TO ENJOY: Discovering God’s Love of Life, another one of our ongoing Evening of Prayer Series mini-retreats. 

  • Explore the spiritual benefits of taking time to refresh, renew, and rejuvenate.
  • Learn simple strategies for meaningfully including God in your vacation plans.
  • Even though “vacation” is not included in the Bible, consider various Scriptural references to taking time from our work, setting aside time for meaningful rest, making retreats.
  • The evening will include a pleasant dinner with special décor, group activities, songs, prayers and private reflection facilitated by Dr. Nancy P. Askins, Executive Director, Center of Renewal at Stella Niagara. 
  • Call now if you would like to stay overnight that evening and/or extend the Evening of Prayer to some overnight private retreat days (details available). 

Evening of Prayer mini-retreat is only $25 per person by 8/7/23, or if space is still available after the 8/7/23 deadline, $30 includes late fee (call first to confirm).  

 

#2:  2023 ADVENT SILENT RETREAT WEEKEND by Sr. Marcella Kiesel, OSF.  Friday to Sunday, December 1-2-3, 2023. Pre-register by 11/17/23.

Sr. Marcella's retreats are always a meaningful, deeply spiritual experience.  Mark your calendar for the first weekend in December 2023 to participate in our two-night retreat which will run from Friday dinner through just after Sunday lunch. 

Prepare ye the way of the Lord!  Plan now to enhance your spiritual journey this year leading up to Christmas. Our silent guided retreat begins Friday afternoon with check-in and evening dinner followed by the official welcome, introductions, schedule review, and evening Advent prayer. Saturday includes all three meals and various moments of reflective, contemplative time along with a morning conference, afternoon group sharing and prayer chant, and an evening conference. Sunday starts with breakfast, time for personal reflection questions for use throughout Advent, Sunday Mass or services at area churches, and departure after the noon meal.  

Call us for the complete retreat flier (716-754-7376, Ext. 1) or email your request to [email protected].

 

#3:  CONTEMPLATIVE PRAYER GROUP - All are welcome!

NEXT SESSION IN SEPTEMBER 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.  

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