UPCOMING RETREATS & EVENTS: Save the Dates!
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TENTATIVELY POSTPONED UNTIL DECEMBER 2020: RETREAT WEEK WITH AUTHOR SR. BARBARA FIAND, SNDdeN - Previously scheduled June 21-26, 2020 has been postponed due to the Covid-19 virus. The new tentative dates are December 1-5, 2020 (confirmed dates are expected by mid-June 2020 pending Covid-19 issues). Retreat Theme: "On Becoming Who We Are: Facing the Reality of Mature Belief"
Based on her book, “On Becoming Who We Are: Passionate Musings in the Winter of Life”, the reflections during this retreat will invite us to take a leap of courage at this time of turmoil and conflict, not only in our world, but in fact in our Church as well. We will address the unavoidable questions that confront all mature believers in the 21st century, and, as Diarmuid O'Murchu assures us, we need to accept that we are "gifted with everything it takes to be creative stewards of this evolving world." There are "idols" that have crept into our belief system: the idols of gender, of permanence, of inerrancy, of language, even of immediacy. We will look at these idols and reflect on their control over our faith-life. We will remember the vision of Jesus and try to embrace it, once again. Come drink "Deep."
Sr. Barbara Fiand, SNDdeN is a retired professor of philosophical and spiritual theology, and the author of 11 books. She lectures and gives retreats as well as workshops throughout the country and abroad on issues related to holistic spirituality, the transformation of consciousness, faith-seeking understanding in the 21st century, human maturation, and the true self. Call us to join Sr. Barbara Fiand at this very special retreat week at Stella Niagara’s Center of Renewal.
Tentative Retreat Schedule (pending final confirmation of dates): Check-in on Tuesday, December 1st after 3:00 PM. Retreat begins with Tuesday dinner at 5:00 PM, and ends after lunch on Saturday, December 5th. Registration includes an autographed book authored by Sr. Barbara Fiand. Call us at (716) 754-7376, Ext. 1 or 2 for a detailed retreat flier. Pre-registration and deposit due by Monday, November 2, 2020 pending final confirmation of retreat dates, delayed due to Covid-19.
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RESCHEDULED TO 2021: ANNUAL DIRECTED RETREAT WEEK originally scheduled for August 13-20, 2020 has been cancelled for 2020. Three- or five-day directed retreats also available; call us for details. Spiritual directors confirmed thus far include Sr. Marcella Kiesel, OSF; Sr. Jean Thompson, OSF; Sr. Nancy Fortkort, OSF. Please call us at 716-754-7376, Ext. 1 or 2 to be added to our mailing list.
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CONTEMPLATIVE PRAYER GROUP meets the 1st Tuesday evening of each month currently scheduled to start again on August 4, 2020 (barring any unforeseen COVID-19 delays). Advance reservations are not needed for this ongoing event. Questions? Please call Center of Renewal at 716-754-7376, Ext. 2
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TEMPORARILY POSTPONED: NIAGARA FRONTIER FAITH HERITAGE TRAIL EXCURSIONS & ADVENTURES - Contact us for information on scheduling these special one-day motor coach excursions to many meaningful and enjoyable sites throughout Western New York and surrounding areas. We can create an itinerary just for your group or you can join in on a pre-scheduled event. Call us at 716-754-7376, Ext. 1 for more details.
- RETREAT TEMPORARILY POSTPONED: SPECIAL BUS EXCURSION TO SENECA FALLS DURING OVERNIGHT SOCIAL JUSTICE RETREAT IN COMMEMORATION OF 100TH ANNIVERSARY of 19th AMENDMENT: WOMEN'S RIGHT TO VOTE. Originally planned for August 2020, program has been postponed until later due to COVID-19. Call 716-754-7376, Ext. 1 or 2 to be placed on our mailing list.
- More retreats are regularly being scheduled. Watch for details.
Ongoing Program Schedule
In addition to providing hospitality to both groups and individuals seeking quality meeting and overnight accommodation facilities in an environment of peace and tranquility, Stella Niagara's Center of Renewal designs and offers its own sponsored retreats and programs with featured retreat presenters for spiritual growth and lifelong learning.
Examples of the ongoing schedule of sponsored retreats and programs include partial or full single retreat days on a special topics. Retreats in recent years have been scheduled to commemorate special church days such as Ash Wednesday and the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, Papal Encyclical topics and themes, wellness and spirituality, peace and justice, and Biblical topics.
Weekly or monthly retreat programs have included a women’s spiritual reading group, a six-week study group on “Laudato Si: On Care of Our Common Home” Encyclical by Pope Francis, and the Guided & Meditation Prayer Group currently meeting on the first Tuesday evening of each month. Overnight retreats have typically been scheduled from one to six nights in length, affording the retreatants to focus more intently on a specific themes during the entire retreat. Retreat presenters are garnered from among visiting scholars, theologians, priests, sisters, and brothers, all knowledgeable specialists in their respective fields and ministries. Current retreat themes have included embracing change, benefits of the 12-step program for everyone, thoughts and behaviors, fruits of the Spirit and Pauline mysticism, and understanding self and others through Biblical comparisons. Annual Directed Retreat weeks are also scheduled each August, along with individualized Directed Retreats on request throughout the year.
One key example of specialized group programs throughout the year which consider Center of Renewal their “retreat center of choice” include the Women’s Respite Program under the direction of its founder Sr. Diane Gianadda, OSF. For many years, this meaningful program has benefitted single moms and grandmothers of low income, mothers of autistic children, and women with cancer, with each event serving 20 to 30 women. Center of Renewal is proud to serve as the retreat ministry location for these meaningful outreach programs.
