Franciscan Renewal Center — Attraction in Paradise Valley

This church community is the most spiritual, welcoming, peaceful Catholic community we have ever encountered. We spend winters in the area and always anticipate our attendance at this beautiful God filled setting. The outdoor Masses are filled to capacity. But don’t let that keep you away! The spiritual heart warming music at all Masses, but especially on special Holy days, is beyond description. The whole congregation joins in but also, the music director and other soloists can bring one to tears when their voices praise God in song. One feels as if the heavens open and angels are singing. I only wish they had recordings for purchase! The outdoor Good Friday service is spectacular in play form as the actors (parish volunteers) bring to life the story of Jesus being condemned to die on the cross. It is all done in a very reverent and serious manner. The Masses at the Franciscan Retreat Center (Our Lady of the Angels church) bring the Catholic faith to all attendees in a profound way. The priests’ homilies are thought provoking and bring the Word of the Lord into today’s challenges. The Franciscan priests are kind, welcoming and open to speak to all. Attendance at Easter Sunday Mass is a joy you will not soon forget. It will leave you filled with faith and hope. Their “new” church is modern and quite beautiful. They have tours explaining the spectacular stained glass pieces as well as the frescoes throughout the church. We highly recommend this tour. The acres of grounds are serene and beautiful with many spots throughout for sitting to pray or to meditate. Don’t miss walking the labyrinth for praying in a different way. We’ve not attended a retreat here but to spend a few days in this serene space seems a luxury to me. My husband and I highly recommend this God filled spot in the Valley of the Sun. We can’t wait to return. Kathy & Jay...

We had a group that would meet at the "church" twice a month. Now they require all groups who use the facility to be vaccinated or they can no longer attend. They do not care if you have had covid and have immunity, they do not care if you have a medical reason to not get the vaccine, they do not care if you have a religous hesitancy. This "church" has thousands of people who attend weekly crammed into a room with no care about vaccine status but 9 people distanced and masked in a room is a danger to society? They don't follow science or faith. Maybe if God was a donor or if we passed the bucket in our meetings they would remember compassion and love for all. The lost, the broken, and the sick are on their own with Franciscan renewal center unless you do what they say and give in to their clearly political ideology.

I pray God can find his way back into this place but after speaking with the heartless leadership my hopes are small. However, God works in mysterious ways and I believe even these people can be touched and changed! For all who attend here and share this experience know this is a small fish in a big ocean and most faith based institutions don't discriminate like Fransiscan renewal center does. There is a new home...

I recently attended an 8-day retreat at the casa and I could not be happier with my experience. From the moment I stepped onto the campus I felt at home at peace and at rest. From the meditation chapel to the labyrinth there's something for everyone. The accommodations are simple and comfortable with no distractions. I also have to mention that every staff member I came into contact with was wonderfully helpful and kind and seemed quite happy to be doing the work that they're doing. The food and meals are both plentiful and obviously made with love and quite a bit of talent. I can't recommend enough choosing to spend some time at the Casa. I would almost guarantee that upon your departure you'll feel restored...