STONE HARBOR – Sitting in the lunchroom at the new Villa Maria by the Sea Retreat Center, Sister Stephen Anne, IHM, reflected on the past, present and future of her order’s ministry in this South Jersey Shore community.
“Since 1937, the sisters had a vision that their community could have a place to refresh [and] re-energize their spiritual life,” she explained as she sat surrounded by sparkling floors, and fresh-wood-smelling tables and chairs. Ample sun shining in a blue sky poured through the retreat center’s shimmering windows.
On May 15, the IHM sisters hosted Bishop Dennis Sullivan, priests, religious and all those instrumental in the center’s creation for a day of prayer, blessings and celebration. Among those in attendance were architects, engineers, construction workers, stained-glass window makers and local leaders.
In 2021, the sisters demolished their 4.5 acre, 250-bed retreat house on 111th Street and the beach, which had stood since 1937, citing economic concerns and the fact that due to no air-conditioning or heating, it could only operate for 12 weeks a year.
In its place now stands a smaller, energy-efficient and handicap-accessible facility with 25 single rooms, two doubles, four quads, and an attached convent for five year-round IHM religious. It holds the same spiritual footprint, offering spiritual retreats “not only for our sisters, but sisters in other congregations,” said Sister Mary Ellen Tennity, General Superior of the IHM community.
The community also sold part of the property of its old retreat house to cover costs of the new facility and ensure its sustainability, she said.
With its close proximity to the sea, the new retreat center can be a place of “peace and calm to meet God, and reflect on what He is calling [us] to do next,” Sister Mary Ellen said.
“Pope Francis is calling us to be more intentional to our wonder and appreciation for all of creation; the sea and surrounding area is so serene and keeps us mindful that we are called to stewardship,” she continued. Such an environment will help the sisters ask themselves, “How do we share our care for our common home with other people?”
She expressed gratitude for Bishop Sullivan’s visit, which included a Mass and blessing of the chapel’s altar and walls, the center’s rooms and hallways, the Sacred Heart statue outside, and the 2023 cornerstone, located next to the 1937 cornerstone near the center’s entrance.
“Bishop Sullivan’s presence is a reminder that all we do is connected to the Church, [that] God is calling us to do this mission in Southern New Jersey, and is confirmation and affirmation that our presence [here] is valuable.”
Connecting the importance of the day to the Mass readings – which included the story of a pregnant Mary’s journey to her cousin – Bishop Sullivan hoped that the retreat’s pilgrims not only echo the words of Mary who “proclaimed the greatness of the Lord on her visit to the house of Elizabeth, by what they experience here,” but that they also “find welcome, rest and renewal for mind, body and soul.”
Sister Stephen Anne has made a weekly retreat to Villa Maria every year since 1972, when she was “a baby nun” awaiting final vows.
“During my times of retreat here, especially in the chapel, I’ve been able to regain energy and confidence and know in a strong way what God intends for me,” she said, adding that “I have found peace and space here that has given me the opportunity to know what God’s asking of me and see His providence.”
Sister Margaret McCullough, IHM, director of Villa Maria by the Sea, is one of the five sisters residing year-round in Stone Harbor. She was looking forward to retreatants as early as two days later for a private, directed retreat for her congregation. The plan is that in the future, the retreat house will be open to laity as well.
“To share this beautiful place with others will be nice,” she said. “Our world needs a place of pause and respite, to rest in the arms of God.”
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