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"A place and time for God in an atmosphere of beauty, peace and hospitality."
Founded in 1957 in response to Saint Raphaela's dedication to retreat ministry, St. Raphaela Center was established by the Handmaids of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, a worldwide Eucharistic community whose spirituality is to celebrate God's unconditional love by promoting wholeness, peace and reconciliation.
Each year, St. Raphaela Center welcomes over 5,000 guests and visitors of all faiths, ages and walks of life. The year round beauty and tranquility of St. Raphaela Center provides a place where individuals may come and be touched by God's loving presence.
Here, we, the Handmaids and Staff are committed to accompanying people in their prayer and search for God by providing individual and group spiritual direction, days of retreat and other programs that encourage individual and communal spiritual growth.
Individual Accomodation
The Center welcomes you for private retreat, days of prayer, spiritual direction or a few hours of quiet anytime. Please contact St. Raphaela Center for further information and availability.
Click here to print out a reservation form
Group Accommodations
We host college, school and parish groups and welcome all communities of faith. Our facilities are available for you to plan your own program or you may ask the staff at the Center to do this for you. Our space can accommodate groups up to 55 persons overnight (single/double occupancy). Call the Center for more information, scheduling and fees.
Contact us:
St. Raphaela Center
616 Coopertown Road
Haverford, PA 19041-1135
610-642-5715
Fax: 610-642-6788
www.straphaelacenter.org
Directions to St. Raphaela Center
From I-476 (Blue Route) exit 13: St. Davids-Villanova. Follow signs for Villanova. Follow Lancaster Ave. (Route 30 East). You will pass Villanova University on the left. Turn right at County Line Rd. (McDonalds on left). Pass the Bryn Mawr Hospital. One light after Bryn Mawr Ave., turn right on Landover Rd. which eventually becomes Coopertown Rd. Pass Coopertown School on right and look for St. Raphaela entrance sign on right.Follow signs to the Chapel.
From Philadelphia: City Line Ave. (South). Turn right on Haverford Rd. Go about 3 miles to College Ave. Turn left on College Avenue. Go less than 1 mile. Turn right on Coopertown Rd. to entrance on left.Follow signs to the Chapel.
2010 Programs
Women's Weekends
| March 26-28,2010 | Women's Weekend | Frank Sirolli, OSA, Kayjoy Cooper, acj |
| May 21-23, 2010 | Women's Weekend | Frank Sirolli, OSA, Kayjoy Cooper, acj |
All Women's Weekends are: $155 - shared, $175 - single, Deposit: $100.
8-DAY DIRECTED RETREATS
This silent unstructured retreat offers the opportunity to foster the retreatant's prayer life and relationship with God. The retreatant meets daily with the director to reflect upon the prayer experience and to discern God's presence. Retreats are available as scheduled below and/ or upon request and director/room availability.
| July 10-17, 2010 | 8-Day Directed Retreat |
Julie Grey, OP, Mary Carboy, SSJ, |
| July 21-29, 2010 | 8-Day Directed Retreat | Vincentian Directed Retreat |
| July 22-29, 2010 | 8-day Directed Retreat | Mary Carboy, SSJ, Margaret Scott, acj, Rita Woehlcke, SSJ |
| Aug. 6-13, 2010 | 8-day Directed Retreat | Vincentian Directed Retreat, Julie Grey, OP |
| Sept. 23-30, 2010 | 8-day Directed Retreat | Mary Carboy, SSJ, Julie Grey, OP, Margaret Scott, acj |
| Dec. 6-13, 2010 | 8-day Directed Retreat | Vincentian Directed Retreat |
All Directed Retreats are $450/per person, DEPOSIT $100.
A Hermitage for Individual Private Time
Saint Joseph Hermitage offers a "desert" experience for anyone who feels called to be alone for awhile. The hermitage, located on the grounds of St. Raphaela Center, provides a quiet, peaceful space that includes bedroom, bath, and enclosed porch. Also available are a refrigerator, microwave, and coffee maker, providing the option of taking meals within the Hermitage.Please contact The Center for more information.
Special Events
| April 23, 2010; 7-9 pm | Meet the Author, “The Shack” Friday 7-9 pm William Paul Young (Reservations strongly recommended) |
Friday |
Days of Prayer
| March 9, 2010 (Tuesday) | Lenten Day of Prayer: “Biblical Reflections on the Overwhelming Love of Jesus” |
Presenters: Dorothy Beck, acj and Jerry Hreha |
| March 17, 2010 (Wed) | Lenten Day of Prayer | Presenters: Fr. John Nordemann and Palma Ricci |
Day of Prayer Cost: $35. per person Deposit: $15.
Program Series
| "Fulfilling God’s Vision" - Part II, (optional dinner – 5:30 pm). *Registration by March 2. |
March 16, 2010. 6-9 pm | Mary Carboy, SSJ, Julie Grey, OP |
| When God and Cancer Meet. *Registration by March 30. |
April 13, 2010. 6-9pm | Margaret Scott, acj |
| 10 Commandments: 10 Restrictions? Or 10 Acts of Freedom? *Registration by April 13. |
April 27, 2010. 6-9pm | Kayjoy Cooper, acj |
| Spiritual Seasons of a Woman’s Life *Registration by April 24. |
May 4, 2010. 6-9pm | Margaret Scott, acj, Mary Carboy, SSJ |
Donation: $30/per person each presentation
| Centering Prayer Group Presenter: Julie Grey, op |
Mondays: 7-8:30 PM Mar. 29, Apr. 19, May 17, 2010 |
| The experience of "centering" prayer, as coined by Thomas Merton, is the opening of the mind and heart to God, the Ultimate Mystery, beyond thought, words and emotions. Come join us! There will be input on the process as well as the actual practice of centering. | |
| Seeking God Together Presenter: Julie Grey, op |
Tuesdays: 6:45-8:45pm April 13, May 11, 2010 |
| "Come to me all you who are tired and weary, and I will give you rest." Hear the invitation and come apart for a while. The sessions include time for personal prayer and optional spiritual direction, beginning and ending with communal prayer. | |
Contact us:
St. Raphaela Center
616 Coopertown Road
Haverford, PA 19041-1135
610-642-5715
Fax: 610-642-6788
www.straphaelacenter.org