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News & Features

Pittsburgh-area retreat houses
archived from: 2010-07-26
by: Pittsburgh Catholic Staff Report

Epiphany Association

Provides formational and educational resources for ongoing spiritual renewal, featuring multi-purpose room, classrooms, gardens, chapel. Also, Epiphany Academy of Formative Spirituality offers classes on Christian mystics and spiritual masters. Susan Muto, executive director.

Located in Pittsburgh’s Beechview neighborhood at 820 Crane Ave.

Call 412-341-7494 or visit website at www.epiphanyassociation.org. E-mail, info@epiphanyassociation.org.

Franciscan Spirit and Life Center

Offering retreats, meetings, seminars and workshops through day and evening and overnight programs. Also three hermitages available for days, weekends or weeks of prayer or retreat. Staff also presents programs on-site at area parishes and organizations on request. Mimi DiGregory, office coordinator.

Located on grounds of St. Francis Sisters in Whitehall at 3605 McRoberts Road.

Call 412-881-9207. E-mail, fslc@osfprov.org.

Holy Ghost Animation Center, Spiritan Center

Providing retreats, days of renewal, faith-formation programs, ongoing spiritual direction. Featuring meeting rooms, chapel, overnight accommodations for up to 50 people surrounded by 40 acres in pastoral setting. Mary Ann Nicholls, director.

Operated by Spiritan order on grounds in Bethel Park, 6230 Brush Run Road.

Call 412-835-3510 or visit website at www.spiritans.org. E-mail, spiritancenter@juno.com.

Gilmary Center

Hosts parish, diocesan and ecumenical programs, plus retreats for youths and adults, educational sessions and conferences. Includes 46 semi-private rooms, dorm space for 60 people, recreational offerings, heated indoor pool, chapel to accommodate 225 people, situated on to acres of woodland. Regis Flaherty, director.

Located in Moon Township at 601 Flaugherty Run Road.

Call 412-456-3046 or visit website at www.gilmarycenter.org. E-mail, gilmary@diopitt.org.

St. Joseph Spirituality Center

Welcoming people for days and evenings of reflection, directed and guided retreats, individual spiritual direction, private, non-directed retreats, group retreats, in-service days and Ignatian spiritual programs. Providing three meeting rooms accommodating from 10 to 120 people, some overnight accommodations, chapel, book and gift shop, library, a labyrinth, outdoor Stations of the Cross on extensive grounds for walking, reflection and renewal, also shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes. Sister Marguerite Kropinak, director.

Located on grounds of St. Joseph sisters in Baden, 1020 W. State St.

Call 724-869-6585 or visit website at www.stjoseph-baden.org. E-mail, spiritcenter@stjoseph-baden.org.

Kearns Spirituality Center

Presenting programs “dedicated to the renewal and revitalization of the human spirit,” focusing on holistic spirituality from September to June. Overnight accommodations for 60 people, conference center for 200-250, offering private prayer, retreat, workshops, planning sessions, monthly Lectio Divina sessions, conferences and spiritual direction. Also book discussion group, “busy women” retreats. Outdoor labyrinth evenings. Sister Agnes Raible, director; Sister Joan Coultas, program director.

Located on grounds of Divine Providence sisters, 9000 Babcock Blvd., McCandless Township.

Call 412-366-1124 or visit website at www.divineprovidenceweb.org. E-mail, kearnssc1@pghcdp.org.

Martina Spiritual Renewal Center

Offering week-long and weekend retreats, days and evenings of recollection, group spiritual direction, adult faith formation, gatherings for priests and sisters, private retreats, confirmation groups, staff and planning meetings, marriage preparation sessions, staff, pastoral council and seminary retreats. Including 32 single rooms, chapel, quiet grounds with outdoor Stations of the Cross, gift shop, library, meeting room for 200 people. Sisters Donna Smith and Mary Lou Witkowski, co-directors.

Located on grounds of Holy Spirit sisters in West View, 5244 Clarwin Ave.

Call 412-931-9766 or visit website at www.sistersoftheholyspirit.com. E-mail, martinaspiritual@verizon.net.

St. Paul of the Cross Retreat Center

Offering weekend retreats, plus spiritual development programs, including youth sessions for confirmation and graduation preparation during the week. Also hosts programs for diocesan, ecumenical and nonprofit groups and retreats for people in 12-step recovery programs. Including accommodations for 135 overnight guests, conference areas and chapel. Father Gerald Laba, director.

Operated by Passionist order on monastery grounds on Pittsburgh’s South Side. Located at 146 Monastery Ave.

Call 412-381-7676. E-mail, stpaulrcpa@cpprov.org.

Providence Villa

Welcoming individuals and small groups, with 15 bedrooms, meeting rooms, chapel, wooded trails. Also, Journey Into Jesus guided group retreats. Operated by Divine Providence order. Sister Marilyn Seidel, director.

Located in former Cardinal Wright Center, 10745 Babcock Blvd., Pine Township.

Call 724-444-8055 or visit website at www.divineprovidenceweb.org. E-mail, providencevilla@yahoo.com.

Villa Maria Education and Spirituality Center

Providing spiritual and educational programs including retreats for parishes and schools, catechetical programs, marriage and parenting programs, also hosting outside groups, “retreats in daily life,” spiritual exercises patterned on Ignatian spirituality, family vacation days on 276-acre rural property. Also, nature trails, Magnificat chapel, shrines and outdoor labyrinth, gift shop, Villa Farm and greenhouse. Jim Merhaut, president.

Located on grounds of Humility of Mary sisters in Villa Maria, Lawrence County, at 2105 Evergreen Road.

Call 724-964-8886 or visit website at www.villaprograms.com.

* * * Houses of prayer

• Holy Ghost Animation Center, at the Spiritan Center, Bethel Park. Mary Ann Nicholls, director. Call 412-835-3510 or visit the website at www.spiritans.org.

• Tabor House of Prayer, operated by the Millvale Franciscan sisters, 146 Hawthorne Road, Millvale. Sister Jane Schmitt, director. Call 412-821-1149.

• Transfiguration House of Prayer, 295 W. Jefferson Road, Butler. Sister Marian Senish, director. (Scheduled to close Aug. 6.) Call 724-352-1354.

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