Photo by James A. McBride
Sister Maria Metzger, a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Philadelphia and associate director at St. Pius X Spiritual Life Center, Blackwood, reads during a Mass of thanksgiving in the St. Pius X chapel on May 23, Pentecost Sunday. Also pictured are, from left, Father David E. Beebe, former director of St. Pius X; Father Francis W. Danella, an Oblate of St. Francis de Sales and the current director; and Father Mark Cavagnaro, pastor of Our Lady of Hope Parish, Blackwood. The Diocese of Camden announced in March that the Spiritual Life Center will close by June 30 because of mounting financial difficulties. Four other Catholic retreat centers serve South Jersey Catholics: the Marianist Family Retreat Center in Cape May Point, St. Mary by the Sea, Cape May Point, sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Philadelphia, the Romero Center in Camden, and the John Paul II Retreat Center, sponsored by Divine Mercy Parish in Vineland.