The St. Francis Centre shall reflect the Franciscan charism as it seeks to enhance the understanding of Catholic virtues and teachings. It shall encourage each to recognize their sacred potential, borne of God and realized through Christian vision, acknowledging the path of Christ in the life of each individual.
Our Mission Objectives
- To develop moral standards reflective of the teaching of the Catholic Church.
- To develop Christian vision through which to enhance to service of others.
- To recognize the simplicity of the Franciscan charism and its role in the life of each individual.
- To recognize Christ like virtues in others.
- To develop respect for the sacredness of life.
- To recognize God's potential in each individual.
- To develop this potential.
Fr. Robert Campagna
OFM Minister Provincial
Province of the Immaculate Conception
OFM Minister Provincial
Province of the Immaculate Conception
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Friars residing at the St. Francis Centre may begin their day as one, celebrating the Eucharist in the main chapel, praying and coming together in community however, the day ahead sees each one bringing their uniquely Franciscan gifts and talents into service. Depending upon the groups attending the Centre on any given day, students, teachers or religious, friars may be called upon to lead retreats, celebrate masses, give talks, prepare and serve dinners or provide the service of cleaning up afterwards. Many individuals request and require counseling and the friars offer their time providing ministry when needed. Often times, confessions run well into the night as the Centre’s friars assist visiting priests and their groups.
Although the day may take individuals in different directions, gathering for meals allows everyone the opportunity to reconnect. And whether it is a quick lunch or a dinner together while working together, gathering around the table to share is important. And in true Franciscan spirit, friars often invite lay staff to share in these times.
The Centre has the rather unique opportunity to afford many diverse groups, the welcoming charism so prevalent in the heart of all friars. Our facility offers a variety of programs that enable both young and old, students, teachers and religious, church groups and lay ministers, youth leaders and all who seek God’s love and grace.
Leadership on every level, at the Centre is the first witness of Franciscan love. Responsibilities are shared and religious meet and engage with retreatants to see that all needs are met thus providing witness to staff and retreatants alike that hard work and teamwork, ultimately accomplish God’s work.
Many religious find the Centre ideal to host their own Chapters due to the nature of the friars and staff. Our belief that Francis would want the efforts of our fellow priests and religious to flourish pushes us to strive to diligently to nurture our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Remarkably, many Orders return year after year to find sanctuary at St. Francis.
The Centre provides retreats where youth ministry and leadership have the opportunity to grow. Our friars and staff provide retreats filled with opportunities for students to explore and replicate the love and life of this incredible saint within their own lives. And this same example is shared and expressed whether the topic of the retreat covers pre-marriage couples, those attending Advent, Lenten or Confirmation programs.
Franciscan spirituality plays an integral role, and models a way of life for all who attend the Centre. It is borne and witnessed in the staff, nurtured within the retreat programs and experienced firsthand by the retreatants. The friars who work and reside at the Centre, realize that their life here and the manner in which they live, is as important a witness to Christ’s love as the work they provide in His name. Our Holy Father Francis provided each of us with footsteps to follow and the retreat house allows others to walk with us.
Although the day may take individuals in different directions, gathering for meals allows everyone the opportunity to reconnect. And whether it is a quick lunch or a dinner together while working together, gathering around the table to share is important. And in true Franciscan spirit, friars often invite lay staff to share in these times.
The Centre has the rather unique opportunity to afford many diverse groups, the welcoming charism so prevalent in the heart of all friars. Our facility offers a variety of programs that enable both young and old, students, teachers and religious, church groups and lay ministers, youth leaders and all who seek God’s love and grace.
Leadership on every level, at the Centre is the first witness of Franciscan love. Responsibilities are shared and religious meet and engage with retreatants to see that all needs are met thus providing witness to staff and retreatants alike that hard work and teamwork, ultimately accomplish God’s work.
Many religious find the Centre ideal to host their own Chapters due to the nature of the friars and staff. Our belief that Francis would want the efforts of our fellow priests and religious to flourish pushes us to strive to diligently to nurture our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Remarkably, many Orders return year after year to find sanctuary at St. Francis.
The Centre provides retreats where youth ministry and leadership have the opportunity to grow. Our friars and staff provide retreats filled with opportunities for students to explore and replicate the love and life of this incredible saint within their own lives. And this same example is shared and expressed whether the topic of the retreat covers pre-marriage couples, those attending Advent, Lenten or Confirmation programs.
Franciscan spirituality plays an integral role, and models a way of life for all who attend the Centre. It is borne and witnessed in the staff, nurtured within the retreat programs and experienced firsthand by the retreatants. The friars who work and reside at the Centre, realize that their life here and the manner in which they live, is as important a witness to Christ’s love as the work they provide in His name. Our Holy Father Francis provided each of us with footsteps to follow and the retreat house allows others to walk with us.
