Franciscan Renewal Center

The Casa is committed to an environment of inclusiveness, welcoming and intimacy.  We are serious about maintaining and building upon our ministry to nourish relationship and meet the needs of those who cross our path.  Our vision to widen our scope as a center for spiritual growth which transforms and moves us beyond ourselves in the service of others is our ongoing call to love.

As we approach our 60th anniversary, we reflect on the many friars and community who have helped shaped the Casa over the decades into a unique and necessary home for hundreds of thousands of people.  As each decade passed, new ways to reach out and be a sanctuary of peace, renewal and goodness manifested.  Certainly, the hard work, dedication and vision along with tremendous grace protects and inspires this haven of  blessing.

On November 1^st, 1951, the Franciscan Friars purchased the property   for use as a retreat center.  The Director, Father Owen da Silva, personally oversaw the refurbishment of the lodge.   The first retreat at the Casa was held January 14, 1952.  Ground breaking for the new chapel was held on June 19^th, 1954.  Four months later, Father Owen held the first fundraiser at the Casa, called Open House, and over 14,000 people attended throughout the day.  3,000 dinners were served that evening.

Over the years, the Casa continued to evolve in ways that were unpredictable yet exciting.  Father Owen,  in 1964  replaced the Open House fundraiser with Casa 250.  In 1965, the staff printed a report to community indicating that the Casa must grow!  No building had been done for eight years due to debt but the strategic focus was “we simply have to expand if we are to meet the needs of the Valley of the Sun and the Northern part of Arizona”.

The Franciscan Retreat became the Franciscan Renewal Center in 1970 and Fr. Michael Weishaar became director.  Key personalities played the central role in changing the culture at the Casa.   Liturgy became a primary driver as the community grew. The chapel was remodeled in October of 1971 and is dedicated as Paul Galvin Memorial Chapel, in memory of Virginia Piper’s first husband, Paul Galvin.  Brochures and reports indicate that in the early 70’s the Casa flourished with new programs and vibrant liturgy.  The lounge, kitchen and dining room were enlarged.  Piper Hall was built and funded by Virginia Piper in memory of her late husband Kenneth.  The Casa was always in a constant state of change to meet the needs of the many who flocked to its peaceful space and programs, and liturgy  Father Barry Brunsman reached out to ASU for interns and with this group of volunteers began the counseling ministry.  It flourished over the next thirty years and became a model for many other institutions.

Father Forrest, in early 1981, suggested the need for some organizational planning and charter development that could realign some of the administrative functions reporting to the director.   This developed into a management study referred to as The Casa at the Crossroads.   The study stressed the need for expansion and growth to accommodate the growing community.

Father Ray Bucher became director in the mid 80’s.  Under his leadership, he formally organized the first annual reports to the community, as well as a structured staff.  An Operating Board is formed with15 lay and religious members, who work together to direct the operations of the FRC. A survey for the community is implemented in 1985 as a study to provide better access to worship and possible changes to retreat programming.    Fr. Ray also continued to guide the Foundation of over 1,000 members.  The Foundation was independent of the Franciscan Friars, which created tension with both organizations. The Foundation’s charter was to support and develop the mission, ministries, resources and outreach of the FRC over the long term.  Two new buildings were built and donated by Mr. Bruce Halle that allowed for a larger conference room and additional counseling rooms.  These improvements paved the way for additional revenue and amenities.

The 90’s were quite tumultuous. The institution’s leadership began the appointment of lay directorship; three directors came and went in 5 years.  An attempt was made to develop a corporate framework for an increasingly complex institution.  A formal community, board and staff framework was developed in 1996 to begin the process of a strategic plan.

The solution to divide the directorship between a Franciscan and lay person began in November of 1998, at the request of the director, ensuring a full collaborative co-leadership model.  The director set spiritual and educational direction.  He is concerned with direction, while the General Manager administers the ongoing operation.  Since 1998 and each year subsequent, this team, in collaboration with the board of directors and staff, has built the long range strategic plan and related annual business plan.

Vision 2025,  initiated in 1999, developed a direction over the next 25 years.  The process involved the board, a core committee and focus groups, with community members.  The final document is a guiding element focused on resources and vision.  Namely, our core will include: Gospel, Francis, faith and community.  The Franciscan way is envisioned as a new dynamic to guide us to this core.  Our future shall be Spirit-filled.  It will be exciting, filled with hope and full of creative possibilities.  It will be a place of celebration.  We will pursue and maintain an active collaboration with our local diocese.  We will continue to be a spiritual oasis.  We will strive to be the Body of Christ, as church.  There will be strong lay, staff, religious collaboration.  Liturgy will be celebrated in ritual and in action, living the Eucharist beyond the chapel walls.  We will maintain the intimacy of "oasis".

Over the next ten years, staff, board and community have mutually developed programs, events and the environment for those key elements to flourish.  As the FRC officially became a Conventual Church in 2006, new demands and needs became apparent.  Already, the Casa was tapped for resources and a need to explore further the resources and programs became evident.   A discernment process was commissioned by the board of directors and over a  period of almost two years, tremendous study, discussion, prayer and planning resulted providing a direction for the Casa to pursue.

Thousands have been nourished and our evaluations indicate a 98% positive approval for our collective good works.  As the decade came to a close, not only did the Casa break even each year, but it also implemented and completed several million dollars worth of capital improvements on buildings, infrastructure and equipment.

With our current Strategic Plan focused on spirituality and sustainability we are positioned appropriately to lead provocatively into our future.  The Casa is a social and spiritual anchor for thousands with a rich history of Christian leadership.  In times like these, where what is peace and good is often overlooked and undervalued, an opportunity to extend that peace and goodness is a beautiful and worthy undertaking.  It is an undertaking to which we must always commit.  As a recent guest shared with me, "The majesty, mystery and peace of the desert make this retreat center a perfect oasis for physical, emotional and spiritual renewal.  The staff and volunteers embody welcome and care.  And having the opportunity to journey with a spiritual director helped me to expand and deepen my experience here. to say that this week is a cherished blessing is an understatement.  I will carry it with me always."   We benefit from the vision held for many years.  Grace shed her light upon this sacred and holy ground renewing lives.