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Holy Cross Catholic Retreat Center Mesilla Park New Mexico
Holy Cross Catholic Retreat and Conference Center, located in Mesilla Park New Mexico. is a non-profit, religious, ecumenical retreat/conference center operated by Conventual Franciscan Friars. We invite you to visit us for a private or group retreat in our serene environment.
For directions, see the tab designated "maps" at the top, or use www.googlemaps.com and it will give you directions. Mapquest.com will leave you in the middle of the town of Brazito.
 Holy Cross Retreat welcomed 46 couples for an Engaged Encounter Jan. 21 and 22nd.
The leadership couples also introduced the revised format and outlines for the weekend, and seemd pleased with the increased interaction and the new format. There will be nine EE groups coming during 2012, continuing forty years of preparation for the Sacrament of Marriage.
The Secular Franciscans from El Paso and Las Cruces gathered at Holy Cross to celebrate Epiphany on Sunday, Jan. 8, 2012. About 85 people enjoyed a bountiful meal prepared by those who came, sharing of Franciscan patron saints and Scripture passages, door prizes, an Epiphany blessing for the home, and music. The fellowship uplifted the spirits of all who were able to attend. Next year it will be in El Paso.
The OFM friars from six provinces in the U.S. shared in their annual retreat from Jan. 9-13th. Since the beginning of the retreat ministry the friars have come for a time of prayer and fraternity. Sr. Ramona Miller from the Rochester, MN Franciscans led the retreat using the writings and spirituality of St. Clare of Assisi. With 58 friars present, it was one of the largest groups in the past few years. They will return next year to continue their annual retreat.
A women's retreat group from St. Stephen's Church in El Paso shared in an ACTS retreat Nov. 10-13, 2011. Here they are enjoying one of the meals prepared by the Holy Cross cooking staff.
 The men on the ACTS retreat from St. Stephen in El Paso prayed the rosary together in the early morning each day. This is a new experience for some, and a quite special moment for others.
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Confirmation retreat! The youth from La Purissima Parish in Socorro, TX came to Holy Cross Apr. 30-May 1 for their annual Confirmation retreat.
The catechist and Deacon William guided them through a wonderful experience of faith renewal, prayer, and enjoyment. Here you can see them building a pyramid as part of the community building and trust.
The parents and families of the youth came for the closing mass outside near the gazebo to share in the special event. They hope to return each year! |
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Fr. Tom Smith using a pottery wheel during a Parish retreat at St. Francis Newman Center in Silver City. The theme was "From Clay to Community" and he was able to use the images of working with clay to inspire spiritual growth as individuals, family, and as a church.
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One of 45 couples who participated in the Engaged Encounter on March 5 and 6, 2011. This couple is sitting in the atrium while discussing some of what they had written for each other.
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The ACTS retreats are very strong in the El Paso and Las Cruces area. Holy Cross Retreat Center hosts about eleven of the renewal weekends each year, for both men and women, and in English and Spanish.
Fr. Tom is working with them directly to get to know them better and to maintain good relations. Here is a picture of a group on Oct. 28-31, 2010 from San Patricio Cathedral Parish and Queen of Peace Church in El Paso.
They had 51 candidates, with team, music ministry, and priests totaling 91 people. Holy Cross was filled with the power of their prayer, music, and joy! Here, Fr. Trini Fuentes from Queen of Peace Parish spoke about the sacraments with the candidates, in our atrium. |
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Both the local English and Spanish speaking groups of Secular Franciscans, several Franciscans sisters, and other guests joined with the friars for a pleasant celebration of the "Transitus" on October 3rd.
We began outside, walked and sang with a candlelight procession to the Chapel, then continued with a bilingual reading of various Franciscan and Scriptural accounts. |
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Fr. Don Adamski OFM Conv. was the presider and preacher. The ceremony concluded with a blessing with a relic of St. Francis of Assisi and a reception for about 35 people. It is good to celebrate our heritage and invite others to join together.
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