This week, CRC Director Kim Brown sat in a lawyer’s Boardroom to receive a $50,000 check from the estate of longtime supporter Carolyn Friend, who left 1/8 of her estate to the Christian Renewal Center. Carolyn was the CRC’s first monthly donor and remained a consistent supporter, even doubling her gift during the financial challenges of COVID. Her impact extended beyond finances, as she prayed for the ministry, invited others, and helped fund multiple renovations. To honor her legacy, the CRC has launched Friends of the CRC: Honoring Legacy & Building the Future, a program recognizing those who include the center in their estate plans. The initiative highlights both Friends of the CRC – Completed the Mission, like Carolyn and Monsignor Dan Scheel, and those Building the Future, who are still living but have included the CRC in their will. Carolyn’s story is a testament to how one faithful life can help ensure the mission of the CRC continues for generations.

The CRC is excited to announce that it has been awarded three grants during the first quarter of 2025. A generous $100,000 will go toward all renovations of the facility this year, while $35,000 will support the Eugene Hall renovation and $4,000 will aid in the lodge renovation. Two of the foundations have supported the CRC in the past, while the third is a new partner after our first time applying. Some of the applications were submitted over 16 months ago, while others were just recently sent at the start of this quarter. With a total of $597,000 in renovations planned for 2025, we ask for continued prayers and support as we work toward meeting our grant needs.

Looking to strengthen your ministry and enhance your skills in strategic planning, marketing, budgeting, and development? Join us from June 3-5 for Empowered Leadership: A Catholic Ministries Summer Workshop, designed for CEOs, Principals, Development Officers, Pastors, Board Members, and other key decision-makers. This affordable three-day event includes practical sessions, ministry-focused workshops, prayer, and networking, providing valuable time for actual planning after each talk. Register today for just $279, all-inclusive (conference, lodging, and meals), as space is limited and this event is sure to sell out!

Join the numerous Catholic groups, including seniors, youth, and ministries, making memorable pilgrimages to the Christian Renewal Center Marian Grotto and 1/4 Stations of the Cross Trail. Fully wheelchair accessible and perfect for your next bus trip, the pilgrimage is available for just $12 per person, including lunch or dinner. To schedule your visit, simply complete the rental request form online. Available days of the week include most Sundays through Thursdays.

January has been a bustling month at the CRC, with back-to-back retreats and up to four groups hosted on any given day, accommodating as many as 206 guests at a time. Amid the busy schedule, a winter storm hit during the annual retreat of our Archdiocese priests with speaker, Bishop Cahill, creating a unique experience for many priests from overseas who were encountering snow for the first time. Despite challenging weather conditions, the CRC remained open and continued to serve our guests, thanks to the dedication of our onsite missionary staff and dedicated team members who travel to work at the CRC. This is just one of the many benefits of having a committed team ready to serve, no matter the weather!

The Christian Retreat Center (CRC) is excited to announce an opportunity to serve as our next Retreat Hospitality Missionary. This is a paid live-on position. This essential role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the success of our retreat ministry and help bring people closer to Christ through practical, servant-hearted service in a community environment. This position is ideal for anyone with a desire to serve the Lord in practical ways. Whether you're helping with daily cleaning, preparing meals, or maintaining the grounds, your work will have a lasting impact on the spiritual growth of our retreat guests. Your contributions will directly support the mission of CRC—helping people encounter God and grow in their faith through retreat experiences. As we look for our next Retreat Hospitality Missionary, we invite our community to prayerfully consider who might be called to this role. Whether you’re interested in applying or know someone who would be a great fit, we encourage you to reach out to us. This position offers a fulfilling way to live out your faith and serve others in a deeply meaningful way.

We are incredibly grateful to report that the recent tornado that passed through our area missed the CRC, and we have been blessed with only minor damage. While a tree fell and broke a water pipe, along with some limited tree debris, we are fortunate that the damage was not more severe. We want to express our heartfelt thanks to everyone who reached out to check on us. Your concern and support mean the world to us during this time. A special thank you goes to our staff and volunteers, who responded quickly to address the situation and ensure the safety of our retreat center. We are truly blessed and continue to be uplifted by the kindness and prayers of our community. Thank you for standing with us!

In a heartfelt ceremony this Advent, the CRC took a moment to recognize two exceptional employees whose commitment and service have shaped the organization’s success. Pedro Martinez and Ernesto Palestina were celebrated for their impressive years of dedication to the CRC, highlighting their unwavering contributions and the positive impact they have had on the community. Pedro Martinez, a pillar of the CRC team, marked an extraordinary 25 years as an official employee, but his journey with the organization spans an even more remarkable 32 years. Starting out as a dishwasher, Pedro’s passion and hard work allowed him to rise through the ranks, ultimately becoming the Facilities Manager. His expertise in maintaining and renovating the center’s facilities has been indispensable, and his dedication continues to inspire those around him. Joining Pedro in the celebration was Ernesto Palestina, who has been an integral part of the CRC family for 15 years. Ernesto’s commitment to excellence and attention to detail have made him an essential asset in the daily operations and renovations that ensure the facilities remain in top shape. Alongside Pedro, Ernesto has helped transform the CRC’s spaces into environments that foster growth, learning, and community. Both Pedro and Ernesto work alongside Odi, who celebrated 10 years with the CRC in 2023. Together, this talented trio has worked tirelessly to maintain and renovate the facilities, always with a focus on creating spaces that support the organization’s mission of transforming lives. Their skill, craftsmanship, and joy in their work are felt across every corner of the CRC, from its classrooms to community spaces. “Pedro, Ernesto, and Odi are the backbone of our facility,” said Kim Brown, Director at the CRC. “Their dedication goes far beyond the work they do—they are a testament to what it means to serve with heart, passion, and excellence. We are beyond grateful for their contributions and look forward to many more years of working alongside them to continue transforming lives.” The CRC is proud to celebrate these remarkable milestones and looks forward to the continued contributions of Pedro, Ernesto, and Odi as they shape the future of the organization and the community it serves.

This November and December, your donation to the CRC can go twice as far! We are excited to announce a $60,000 matching funds opportunity, where every dollar you donate will be matched, dollar for dollar, up to $60,000. This is an incredible chance to double your impact and help us reach our renovation goals faster. As many of you know, the CRC is in the midst of important renovations to improve our facilities and better serve our community. Every contribution, big or small, will directly support these efforts, and with the matching funds opportunity, your donation will have twice the impact! Whether you’re making a one-time gift or spreading the word to friends and family, your support will bring us closer to our goal. This match opportunity is only available for donations made by December 31, so now is the perfect time to make your gift. Help us make the most of this generous matching opportunity—together, we can transform the CRC and continue to serve our community for years to come. Thank you for your ongoing support!

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the 6th Annual CRC Golf Tournament on November 4! Despite some challenging wind on the course, we were fortunate that the rain held off, and it turned into a fantastic day of golf, camaraderie, and giving back. We are thrilled to announce that, thanks to the generosity of our players, sponsors, and supporters through mulligan purchases, auction bids, and direct donations, we raised a total of $19,101.44 in net proceeds. These funds bring us one step closer to our renovation goals and will make a significant impact on the CRC's future.

Exciting renovations are underway at the CRC, as we enhance our seven lodges to better serve our community. Thanks to the dedicated parishioners of St. Mary of the Expectation, initial work is already in progress in two lodges, where volunteers are removing bunk beds, framing changing rooms, and hanging sheetrock. Our goal is to engage five more parishes to join this vital effort, ensuring a collaborative transformation. Once the volunteers complete their work, CRC staff will take over to mud, tape, texture, paint, and install new fixtures and plumbing, creating a refreshed space for everyone. Contact Kim to help!

The Hildebrand Foundation has awarded the Christian Renewal Center $25,000 to support their ongoing renovation projects, marking the third consecutive year of their partnership. This generous funding will enhance the center’s facilities, allowing it to better serve the community. Both organizations are committed to fostering growth and renewal, making a lasting impact together.

I am writing to share some exciting updates about our ongoing cafeteria renovation project and to express our heartfelt gratitude for your continued support. As you may know, our cafeteria has been a cornerstone of the Christian Renewal Center since its construction in 1966. Originally designed to serve 60 people, it now caters to an average of 130 guests each weekend, with some weekends accommodating up to 200 individuals. In 2023 alone, we served 23,793 meals across 140 retreats. The increasing demand has highlighted the need for significant upgrades to ensure that our facilities continue to meet the needs of our growing community. Read More...

The CRC, has been awarded a generous $12,000 grant from the John G. & Marie Stella Kenedy Memorial Foundation. This grant will facilitate a significant renovation project aimed at transforming one of the center’s rooms into a fully wheelchair-accessible space. The Christian Renewal Center, known for its dedication to community service and support, has long been a beacon of hope for individuals seeking personal and spiritual growth. The renovation of this room will further its mission by ensuring that its facilities are accessible to individuals of all abilities. Read More...

In the heart of our community, the CRC stands as a beacon of compassion and service, guided by the principles of love and charity that define our faith. Yet, even the strongest foundations are tested in the face of nature's fury. Hurricane Beryl swept through our center with a relentless force, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. Imagine the scene: 52 towering trees, once symbols of strength and stability, now lay uprooted. Three roofs, shielding our sanctuary, were torn asunder. Two essential HVAC systems, crucial for the comfort and safety of those we serve, fell silent. Read More..

The CRC was without power for 6.5 days, but our staff and volunteers worked every day to get the CRC operational and fully functional again. To date we have raised $3,777.50. We expect to spend about $20,000. Check out our video featuring our response and recovery to Hurricane Beryl.

Hurricane Beryl impacted the CRC with about 50 massive trees coming down (trees taller than any of our buildings), two roofs sustaining damage (one replaced in 2019 was hit by a tree and the other was replaced in 2020 sustained wind damage minimally), 2 HVAC systems sustaining damage (tree fail on top), and a power outage from a down powerline. The impact of Beryl has caused the most damage since Harvey (but nowhere close to Harvey damage).We have included a short 2-minute video showing the damage and some God moments as well as the link to our website, where you can donate, and funds will go towards our HVAC units. If more money is collected than needed, we will apply those funds to future projects.