In the spirit of Saints Francis and Clare of Assisi, we will actively promote peace to all persons who seek hospitality and spiritual reflection time, in order to be present to our loving God and all of creation.  – Mission Statement, Franciscan Retreat Center

Saint Francis of Assisi founded the Franciscan monastic religious order in 1208.  In 1212, Saint Clare was received into religious life by Saint Francis. She founded the Order of Poor Ladies, closely following the Franciscan tradition. Francis and Clare valued poverty, humility, simplicity and service. Saint Clare and the women in her order ate no meat, went barefoot and were silent most of the time. 

In 2010, Franciscan values reflect Saint Francis' practice of communing with God through experiencing the natural world. Judy Foster, associate director of the Franciscan Retreat Center in Hastings, explained the Franciscan view of connecting with God through nature: "You can see all of the statues of Francis with animals. His way of looking at God was through creation.  Everything was imbued with the spirit of God," she said. "The spirituality that marks Franciscans is the person of Francis and his whole idea of creation being a reflection of God.  Everything in creation is a prayer, and everything is moving us toward God." 

In contemporary life, few are able to make the time for prayer and meditation.  Work, family and other responsibilities occupy our thoughts and pull us in many directions, so retreat centers can provide space in which we reconnect with the soul. Judy Foster says it is consistent with the Franciscan tradition to offer such a service for anyone in need, regardless of race, sex or religious affiliation.  

"Pax et Bonum means peace and good," she said. "That is the Franciscan motto.  It shows itself in wanting to open your doors to others to bring them into that presence, to have a place where they can experience God."

The Franciscan Retreat Center in Hastings accommodates individuals and groups seeking a haven for spiritual reflection. Throughout the year, both weekend retreats and directed retreats are offered. Whether for a day of prayer or a workshop on living a more centered life, the Franciscan Retreat Center invites people from all backgrounds to take some time out in a peaceful environment. 

"What we find is that people have a need to get away for some private time. We have people who come and spend a day or two just on their own to get away," Foster said. 

A wide variety of groups use the space and other convenient facilities offered by the Franciscan Retreat Center. Manhattan College uses the center to host orientation retreats for incoming freshmen, and also for campus ministry retreats. Bronx Community College organizes a day of stress reduction for its faculty, incorporating meditation instruction designed for people of all faiths.  And local churches regularly hold retreats here for adults and youth groups. 

Foster described a few groups of recent visitors. "We have had people from the medical center, and we have also hosted priests, ministers and rabbis that work with prisoners," she said.  

Because Foster has a lifetime of experience in education, she leads many of the workshops for school faculty members. "I taught for thirteen years, and then I spent four years in religious education. I was also a grammar school principle for twenty years," she said. 

When she retired, it made sense for her to return to the religious community where she was once a sister. Although she is no longer a nun, Foster continues to work with the sisters who reside at the Franciscan Retreat Center. Calling upon their different gifts and backgrounds, each of them designs workshops that cater to specific groups.  Among the programs offered are workshops on marriage and divorce, senior citizens wellness days, a bereavement support group, a program for adults with aging parents and women's health workshops. 

Foster spoke at length about Sister Shirley Peace, who holds regular workshops on alternative and complementary medicine. Dr. Peace has an extensive list of credentials. She is a licensed clinical psychologist with a Psy.D., as well as being a registered nurse.  She began teaching energy medicine after earning certification as an Eden Energy Practitioner.  "She introduces energy medicine for weight control, pain management and women's health. She is going to do four workshops this year," Foster said. 

The Franciscan Retreat Center is located on 10 acres at 49 Jackson Avenue in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York.  It is inhabited and operated by the Sisters of Saint Francis of the Neumann Communities. The center provides meals and overnight accommodations for groups and individuals. Their facilities include: a conference room that seats up to 40 people, chapels, a library, dining and snack rooms, as well as outdoor areas for sitting, walking and hiking. 

Rates are very reasonable: one day without a meal is $15.00, a day with one meal is $30.00 and a day with two meals is $35.00. Coffee and snacks are provided to all guests. Evening use of the facilities is $10 and overnight stays are $65.00.  For more information, see the center's website at www.franretreats.org.

Upcoming events at the Franciscan Retreat Center include the following:

Day of Prayer by the Sea, September 17, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. "We will gather at the retreat center for an opening prayer and travel to Orchard Beach for an opportunity to let God speak to us through creation."  A picnic lunch will be provided and the suggested donation is $15.00. 

Peace and Non-Violence Workshop, November 6, 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., for "anyone interested in weaving together prayer, energetics, the arts, ecology and community while helping to implant values of peace and non-violence." 

Energy Techniques for Weight Management, December 11, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.