Franciscan Renewal Center

The Casa is committed to an environment of inclusivity, welcome and intimacy. We are serious about maintaining and building upon our Vision to nourish relationships and meet the emotional healing and spiritual  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. Our promise is to create space and place with grace to Renew Lives.

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 much needed 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 at the Casa. Certainly, the hard work, dedication and Vision, along with tremendous grace from God, protect and inspire this haven of blessing. We know that many thousands of non-profits, government entities and faith based institutions continue to use the property for their needs. There is no other location quite like the Franciscan Renewal Center.

Over the years, the Casa continued to evolve in ways that were unpredictable yet exciting.

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. 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. 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. We 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. We now offer counseling to over 5,000 people for no or low cost based on what they can afford.

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 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 and model. The Franciscan way was envisioned as a new dynamic to guide us to this core. We pursue and maintain an active collaboration. We continue to be a spiritual oasis.

Over the next ten years, staff, board and community have mutually developed programs, events and the environment for those key elements to flourish. Already, the Casa is tapped for resources and a need to explore further the resources and programs became evident. Our program participation has grown by 250% over 10 years. 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 and visitor feedback indicate a 98% positive approval for our collective good works. Not only did the Casa break even financially each year, but it also implemented and completed the allocation of several million dollars worth of capital improvements on buildings, infrastructure and equipment.

The Casa is a social and spiritual anchor for tens of thousands and has a rich history of 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. With our current Strategic Plan focused on Franciscan spirituality and long-term sustainability we are positioned appropriately to lead courageously into our future. Thanks to  organizations like the Virginia Piper Trust and the Halle Family Foundation, the FRC created and is implementing a long term comprehensive fundraising program and has initiated plans toward a capital campaign in order to expand, remodel and refurbish the Casa's infrastructure, campus facilities and programs offered. The Casa operates at the many intersections of society’s major sectors (Government, Faith Based, Non-Profit, Mental Health, Personal/Spiritual Growth, Education, Healing). Our unique role, affording us the opportunity, to positively impact and renew lives is confirmed in our promise and resolve to provide environments of welcome, inclusivity and transformation.