Dual Lenten retreats at Stella Niagara's Center of Renewal

The season of Lent is quickly approaching, starting with Ash Wednesday on Feb. 22, and Stella Niagara’s Center of Renewal invites Western New Yorkers to begin the 40 days of Lent with two separate retreats.

Anyone interested in a special overnight private retreat package to include both the Ash Wednesday retreat day and the first night of the Lenten gospel series the following evening only needs to call to reserve space by Feb. 8.

A day-long Ash Wednesday retreat-workshop will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 22, and will focus on practical aspects of Lenten spirituality. Facilitated by Center of Renewal Executive Director Nancy P. Askins, Ph.D., this retreat will feature multiple adult learning techniques enhanced by one’s individual insight, vision and understanding. Participants will be given options to personalize their retreat day to include insightful discussions, meditative music, and reflective activities to enrich this year’s sacred six weeks of Lent.

Ashes will be administered by Mission Integration Minister Sister Pat McMahon, OSF, in a prayer service during the retreat day. Each retreatant will receive a Lenten booklet for daily meditation to use during Lent, and the retreat will also include lunch, coffee breaks, and periods for personal contemplative time to further enrich their retreat experience.

Advance reservations are due by Feb. 8 (two weeks prior) to ensure adequate seating, materials and meals; however, a limited number of late preregistrations might be possible for an additional fee, if space is available. Call 716-754-7376, Ext. 1 or Ext. 2, for details.

The five-week Lenten gospel series, “Meeting the Gospel People of Lent,” will then be held from 5-8 p.m. for five consecutive Thursdays (Feb. 23 through March 23).

Co-presented by Stella Niagara Sisters Colleen Shanahan, OSF and Patricia McMahon, OSF, each session of this retreat series will discuss the Lenten Gospel from the prior Sunday of Lent, looking at them in a heartfelt and innovative way. Check-in at 5 p.m. will be followed by a short welcome and prayer. Dinner at 5:30 p.m. will be optional, and requires advance reservations two weeks in advance of each respective Thursday, while the actual retreat sessions will be from 6:30-8 p.m. Call 716-754-7376, Ext. 1 or Ext. 2, to preregister by Feb. 9.

The Center of Renewal Retreat & Conference Center at Stella Niagara operates as an interfaith retreat facility. It is sponsored by the Sisters of Saint Francis of Penance and Christian Charity, Holy Name Province.

Arrangements can also be made for group retreats up to 90 people and for individuals to extend retreats with additional private retreat overnights and meals. To receive a detailed flier on any event, or for additional information or to preregister for retreats, call the Center of Renewal at 716-754-7376, Ext. 1 or Ext. 2.