January 1, 2024

The close of 2023 signaled the end of an era for St. Francis Center for Renewal (SFCR). After more than 75 years, the School Sisters of St. Francis made the difficult decision to close the Center, due to fiscal concerns and physical limitations. This decision did not come easily, and was made with much thought, prayer and consideration.

As with most communities of women religious, we, too, are aging and our numbers are shrinking. With fewer of us able to manage the programming, hospitality and facility needs of such a Center, running our beloved retreat ministry has become unsustainable in its current form.

But we are not done. In the very spirit that fueled St. Francis Center for Renewal across seven decades, our Sisters will continue to host programs and retreats as we are able. Our popular Simply Prayer series will continue, as will the availability of spiritual direction, “twilight retreats,” and other select programs throughout the year. Private retreat opportunities will continue onsite, and some spaces will remain available to rent for meetings and small groups. We will not, however, be hosting overnight or weekend retreats any longer.

We extend our deepest gratitude to all the retreatants — many now treasured friends of our community — who have supported SFCR over these many years. We also are grateful to SFCR’s dedicated Board of Directors, guest speakers, retreat directors, benefactors and volunteers who have helped us to present quality spiritual and secular programming to serve an increasingly diverse audience. Each of you is part of a treasured legacy.

“We trust that God is leading the way for us,” says Sister Marian Sgriccia, provincial minister. “We are deeply grateful for your support of our SFCR ministry and of all the ministry endeavors of our province.”

Going forward, all information about programs and events will come to you through the School Sisters of St. Francis by mail, email, and social media. The former SFCR website will no longer be updated, but we welcome you to visit this website regularly for information about future programs in the Lehigh Valley, as well as in all the areas where our Sisters serve. To inquire about private retreats, spiritual direction, or space rental at Monocacy Manor, please contact Lauren Martin at lmartin@schoolsistersosf.org or 610-867-8890.

With our gratitude and blessings — The Provincial Administration of the School Sisters of St. Francis