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.

On February 13, 2024, Bishop Italo came to the CRC to bless the altar for the Marian Grotto. This prayer space is now complete and available for group for booking. All groups can book the 1/4 Mile Stations of the Cross trail to meditate on the Lord's passion or the grotto for prayer. Catholic groups can book the Grotto for the celebration of Mass.

On April 15, 2024 Bishop Italo dedicated the altar for the CRC Meditation Chapel. The CRC staff has raised funds, renovated, and dedicated both of their consecrated Chapels in a 25-month period! For this dedication, Bishop Italo gifted a relic of his religious order founder, St. Jerome Emiliani to be placed inside the altar along with St. Teresa of Avila and St. Therese of Lisieux!

When half of the retreat center property land went for sale in March 2021, the CRC Director knew a miracle was needed to retain the land. People began praying and donating to save the land and peaceful natural surroundings. As an act of Faith and trust, the Director promised to build a Marian Grotto in thanksgiving when the land was saved. In July 2022, the land was secured and the CRC began to make plans to honor the promise made. In March 2023, the land was cleared for 1/4 mile trail that would serve as a Stations of the Cross and the site for the Grotto. In November 2023, work began on building the double-sided grotto. The Grotto was completed in February 2024 and a pad foundation for seating was poured in March 2024. The Marian Grotto had been part of the master-plan for the CRC but the timeline was moved up due to the tremendous gift of securing the land and the future of the retreat center. A blessing of the grotto is set for May 13, 2024.

The Harry S. & Isabel C. Cameron Foundation has awarded the CRC a grant for $14,500 which will go towards the cafeteria expansion and renovation slated for July - October 2024. The Cameron Foundation has supported the work of the CRC over the last decade and we are grateful for their continuous support, allowing us to renovate our facilities to minister to souls while keeping the retreat cost affordable for all!

Thanks to a grant from the John G. & Stella Marie Kenedy Foundation, the CRC began work on the Meditation Chapel which will expand the space and give a greater focus on the Christian mysteries of Faith. The CRC team is doing most of the work and the remaining funding has been coming through individual donors. The plan for completion will be in March of 2024.

In 2023, the Oblate Hall renovation started with volunteers repairing the exterior siding. As a fun sidenote, the volunteers were a father and his two sons. The father had worked at the CRC in the late 80's and after making a career in homebuilding, wanted to return to the CRC for a volunteer project. Then our team began the interior renovation, starting with replacing the HVAC system. Our team then continued the renovation by removing the 90's wallpaper, the sheetrock that had mildew, bad siding, insulation, painting, new projector, addition of a water bottle fountain, and all new flooring (tile and loose lay laminate). This project was funded through grants from Mabee Foundation, Marek Family Foundation, the Hildebrand Foundation, and individual donors. The entire renovation including two large HVAC systems was completed for just under $100,000.

The CRC has something for everyone this Advent season to help you prepare for the coming of our Lord! We will be offering two nights of Exposition & Confession, having a Marian Procession & Vigil Mass for the Immaculate Conception, 6th Annual Women's Advent Prayer Breakfast, and the Advent Silent Retreat.

Let us unite with our brothers and sisters in the Holy Land for a day of fasting and prayer on Tuesday, October 17. We invite all to join the CRC for prayer inside our Chapel from 11am - 6:30pm on this day. We will have perpetual exposition of the Blessed Sacrament with a Rosary every hour on the hour for peace in the Holy Land concluding with Evening Prayer starting at 6PM Last week, Cardinal Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem (aka Bishop of Jerusalem) asked for a day of fasting and prayer. “We ask that on Tuesday, October 17, everyone hold a day of fasting, abstinence, and prayer. Let us organize prayer times with Eucharistic adoration and with the recitation of the Rosary to Our Blessed Virgin Mary. Although most probably in many parts of our dioceses circumstances will not permit large gatherings, it is possible to organize simple and sober common moments of prayer in parishes, religious communities, and families.”

The Hildebrand Foundation has awarded the CRC $20,000 to go towards our 2023 renovations! These funds will be used for the Oblate Hall renovation which is slated for completion by December 2023!

Every year the CRC averages about 4 Eagle Scout projects. Scouts have found the CRC to be a great organization to work with as we have a variety of projects and no red tape that they encounter with many other 501c3. This summer, Thomas Peterson transformed the entrance area to create a peaceful reflection site with a water feature that also corrected the drainage in the area. CRC donors purchased the benches and the CRC Director, had been holding on to the Jesus statue for 4 years waiting for a scout to take on this project. The area is a favorite among retreatants!