Cenacle sisters sell property but continue mission

The declining number of aging Cenacle nuns and rising operating cost for the Cenacle Spiritual Life Center force the province’s decision to close the 10 acre retreat center.

LINDA REEVES | FLORIDA CATHOLIC PALM BEACH BUREAU EDITOR

Published: 08.15.08

LINDA REEVES | FC
Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito greets worshippers at the Cenacle Spiritual Life Center after celebrating a Mass in thanksgiving of the Cenacle ministry and sisters. “All of us have been touched by their ministry in many, many ways,” Bishop Barbarito told the crowd.

LANTANA | The religious women of the Cenacle have signed a deal with a buyer and hope to move out of their present home, the Cenacle Spiritual Life Center in Lantana, by the middle of November.

“As sad as we are to leave our well-loved location, we find reasons for hope and sources of joy in two realities,” said Sister Mary Sharon Riley, spiritual life center coordinator. “The first: growing out of our history. The second: opening to our future.”

The declining number of aging Cenacle nuns, who now count only 130 among their number, as well as rising living costs and operational and maintenance expenses for the sprawling complex and grounds are reasons for the province’s decision to close the center, which spans 10 acres.

“It is a blessing in disguise,” Franciscan Sister Mary Joan Millecan told the Florida Catholic as she visited the center recently. “Can you imagine trying to air-condition the building?”

The Cenacle Sisters, formally known as the Religious of Our Lady of the Cenacle, have been serving Catholics and people of other faiths in the diocese by providing a space for quiet time and a place to meditate, reflect, pray, and grow in faith and spirit for nearly 50 years. They point out that their ministry in the diocese will not end.

“It simply isn’t possible any longer to stay on this property, but we surely hope and expect that we will stay to continue as Cenacles in south Florida, to continue our mission and our life,” Sister Riley said.

The nuns continue to serve the community, live on their property and offer a variety of programs and retreats at this time. They are actively searching for a new location in the area where they can feature activities and services.

“We hope to announce word of a new location reasonably soon,” said Sister Riley.

Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito visited the Cenacle July 27 to thank the religious for their presence and their ministry. He presided at a special thanksgiving Mass in the chapel, which was well attended by people from throughout the diocese and the state, as well as members of the Cenacle order from as far away as Ireland and Rome.

“All of us have been touched by their ministry in many, many ways,” Bishop Barbarito told the crowd.

The real estate firm Grubb & Ellis from Miami is handling the sale of the property, which was “appraised at $20 million,” said agent Grant Salvage, who wishes to keep the buyer’s name undisclosed at this point.

“The buyer is dealing with zoning and permit issues at this point,” he said.

According to Salvage, the buyer will finalize the purchase, when he receives OKs from officials and goes through red tape to proceed with development plans.

“It looks like it is going to be a redevelopment,” he said about the buyer’s aims for Cenacle site and facility. “It will probably be a mixed-use development.”

Mixed-use development is a typical building term used to describe the practice of allowing more than one type of use in a building or set of buildings. This can mean a combination of residential, commercial, industrial, office, institutional or other land use.

“It is under contract now. If (the buyer) can do what he wants, he will sign. The town of Lantana is really excited about it,” Salvage said.

Volunteer Kara McKenney has been attending Cenacle retreats since the mid-90s. She is a Cenacle Companion, part of a group of lay men and women who commit to live Cenacle spirituality in their everyday life.

“It saddens me to see the retreat center close because it is such a special place. Everyone who walks onto the property feels and comments on the peace of the Spirit that they feel within their hearts,” she said.

“Words will never be able to express the gratitude that I feel towards the Cenacle Sisters. They have made such a positive impact on my life and my spiritual development,” she continued. “I am very pleased that some of the sisters will stay in Palm Beach County and continue their ministry here with us. The spirituality in which they minister from remains the same.”

Sister Riley is hopeful about the future of the Cenacle ministry in the Diocese of Palm Beach.

“We rejoice that the Cenacle will not leave this area of south Florida,” said Sister Riley. “Plans for our new presence continue to take shape. We are actively looking for a new location.”

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