CHERRY HILL – The three-story building on the campus of Camden Catholic High School has housed many functions and heard many stories in its long history.
Having served as a rectory for the religious sisters who founded the school, a discernment location for aspiring priests, and a home for international high school students, it will now be a retreat center for Catholics of all ages.
Originally named Nazareth House, the Blessed Carlo Acutis Center was dedicated Oct. 10 with a prayer service and blessing, followed by a tour. Bishop Dennis Sullivan was joined by Coadjutor Bishop Joseph Williams, Father Robert Hughes, Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia, and priest-secretary Father Joshua Nevitt, as well as school staff and student representatives from Camden Catholic; Gloucester Catholic High School, Gloucester City; and Paul VI High School, Haddonfield.
Bishop Sullivan reminded all in attendance that “we are asking that the spirit of the Living God touch not the walls, not the rooms, but all who enter the rooms and into this chapel and into the common spaces in this building.”
He also took a moment to talk about the building’s new namesake, Blessed Carlo Acutis. “This young man has captured the attention of the people around the world.” He noted Blessed Carlo Acutis’ love for Mass and the Eucharist, explaining that the teen called the Eucharist, “My highway to heaven.”
At the conclusion of the prayer service, Paul VI senior Annalise Capoli shared her experiences of going on retreats and the impact they had on her spiritual life. “For me, Kairos improves three main things: the relationship with yourself, the relationship with God and the relationship with others,” she said.
She noted that her Catholic faith, Catholic school experiences and her family’s influence have brought her into closer relationship with God. It was her relationship with herself and others, however, that she found in Kairos.
“I knew what I needed, and what I longed for was an improved relationship with my friends,” Capoli continued. “On Kairos, I fixed these relationships. I learned to grow, I learned to open my heart, and most of all, I learned what true love is.”
Among the areas toured were the chapel located on the ground floor, and newly renovated bedrooms and common spaces on the second and third floors. Freshly painted walls, new flooring and donated twin beds also welcomed the attendees. As the tour progressed, Bishop Sullivan and Coadjutor Bishop Williams blessed the rooms with Holy Water “to remind us of the power of Baptism and for all who come here, that that power be released,” Bishop Sullivan said.
Photo Gallery- New Blessed Carlo Acutis Center
Msgr. Andrew Martin, president emeritus of Camden Catholic High School, shared his excitement.
“To have people utilize the building for … retreats, meetings, engaged encounters … I just think it is great that it is getting this kind of use,” he said.
At the conclusion of the tour, the invited guests were welcomed to the main eating space for light refreshments. The conversations carried throughout the large room, with many of the students from the various high schools putting tables together and sharing their own retreat experiences.
“Certainly, all … the people who visit here, may they become as holy as Blessed Carlo Acutis,” Bishop Sullivan said.
For more information on how to reserve the Blessed Carlos Acutis Center, email the Diocese’s Office of Buildings and Project Management at Michelle.McKeown@camdendiocese.org.
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