When Notre Dame Retreat House was facing closure in 2022, prayers went up to Our Mother of Perpetual Help to keep the retreat house named in Her honor viable. Those prayers were answered by a devout group of volunteers from all walks of life. Today, under the spiritual guidance of Fr. Dennis Billy, C.Ss.R., the eleven-member lay Board of Directors have become true Partners In Mission, dedicating their efforts to sustaining, growing, and continuing St. Alphonsus’ mission to proclaim the Gospel.
Overlooking Canandaigua Lake in New York’s Finger Lakes Region, Notre Dame Retreat House has served thousands upon thousands of retreatants since Bishop Fulton Sheen opened its doors in 1967. Known as “a little slice of heaven on the hill,” today’s Notre Dame has been energized and revitalized with a mix of traditional and new programs and services. More than 4,000 faithful now visit the Retreat House annually, enjoying everything from week-long Redemptorist-led retreats and “Fill Your Soul Days,” to 2024’s eclipse viewing and “Dinners with Tony”—Notre Dame’s new, classically trained chef. Walking paths for quiet reflection are now open to the public on the 50-acre campus, and outdoor concerts are being planned for this summer. A Marian walkway will also be dedicated this summer, consisting of engraved pavers leading to a statue of the Virgin Mary. All these efforts—new and old—are designed to spread the Redemptorist charism and remind us that Jesus knows each of us by name.
“The Baltimore Province of the Redemptorists could not be more thrilled that the Lay Leadership Team now administering and guiding Notre Dame Retreat House of Canandaigua, NY, is also one of our Circles of Associates, we call “Partners in Mission” (PIM). With the accompaniment of Redemptorist Fr Dennis Billy, Notre Dame’s PIM Leadership Group continues the gift of the Redemptorist Charism, that forms and supports them in their mission, and imbues Notre Dame’s retreat ministry. PIM of Notre Dame Retreat House fills the Redemptorists with pride and joy, as well as deep gratitude,” expressed Francis Gargani, C.Ss.R., Coordinator of PIM of the Baltimore Province, and a Co-Chair of the North American Conference Commission.
Amid life’s daily demands, Notre Dame Retreat House offers a sacred space for prayer, reflection, and discerning one’s personal calling. While core programming for men, women and couples remains at the heart of Notre Dame’s mission, they continue to introduce new themes and formats to better serve the diverse spiritual needs of an ever-growing community.
What the Redemptorists began more than 57 years ago, Notre Dame’s dedicated group of Partners In Mission is passionately working to carry forward—for this generation and the next. All are warmly welcomed to make the journey to Notre Dame Retreat House, where your spirit will be renewed and your faith refreshed.
Notre Dame Retreat House
https://notredameretreat.org/
Mike Schwabl
Website: redemptorists.net
