At one time, people went to caves and mountain tops, into tents and across deserts to seek and converse with God.

People of today, with their hurried and hectic lives, do not have the luxury of time to go on such pilgrimages.

But for 35 years, the diocese has been blessed with a spiritual center called Francis House of Prayer that has provided a welcoming and contemplative environment for all who seek spiritual refreshment and renewal with their God.

Francis House was established by the diocese as a house of prayer in June 1974. It is located near the village of Rancocas, on the border between Willingboro and Westampton, near Mount Holly. The retreat house is a spacious and graceful 200-year-old farmhouse that is surrounded by tall trees and 72 acres of farmland, which enhances the notion of being away in the country, even though it is located right off exit 45B of Route I-295.

While Francis House has been served by a number of directors, since 1992 it has been under the capable charge of Sister of St. Joseph Marcella Springer, and the assistance of many devoted volunteers, who help with office work, fetching the mail at the local post office, maintaining the grounds, shrubbery and flowers and other responsibilities.

Something for Everyone
Throughout the past year, Sister Marcy, as she is familiarly known, said that more than 4,000 people participated in the many programs, and she does her best to accommodate many different schedules and needs of the visitors.

“We operate seven days a week and it’s the needs of the people that inspire me to offer the types of programs that I choose,” said Sister Marcy, then added, “People can come away for a while from the stress and demands of daily life. People need this kind of thing in this busy world.”

Enumerating the scope offerings, Sister Marcy said that the house can accommodate 30 people during the day and six overnight. Daily programs and extended retreats are offered as well as days and evenings of recollection and educational programs.

An important function of Francis House of Prayer is spiritual direction and Sister Marcy has met with many individuals on a one-to-one basis to help deepen their spiritual and prayer life.

Francis House offers spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius on a monthly and weekly basis, many opportunities to learn and practice contemplative prayer, reading programs on St. John of the Cross and other Carmelite saints, and contemporary writers such as Rolheiser, Rohr and Rahner, Thomas Merton and Teilhard de Chardin and special one-time programs.

As Francis House of Prayer celebrates its 35th anniversary this year, it’s a milestone that was a cause for many to reflect on its rich history and their personal experiences of the place that has been fondly regarded as a “sacred meeting place with God” and a “hidden treasure in a field – literally a soybean field.”

Although Francis House had originally scheduled the 35th anniversary celebration for Sept. 12, it was postponed to the following day because of inclement weather conditions. The change posed no inconvenience nor did it dampen the spirits of the 200 who came out to join in the Mass that was celebrated by Father Robert Schulze, coordinator of Jail and Prison Ministry for the diocese, and reception that followed. During the Mass, the congregation was privileged to witness Father Schulze bless the new outdoor, wooden prayer chapel which was built specifically for the anniversary.

“What struck me about the anniversary was how so many people came,” said Sister Marcy. “To see as many come at once was a wonderful witness of what Francis House means to them and how they have found God here.”

Friends of Francis House
Before Deacon Bill Wilson was going on the road to an appointment as part of his work as director of the diocesan Office of Construction and Property, he was at Francis House of Prayer bright and early the morning of Oct. 22 for a session that’s part of an eight-week spirituality program.

“We need to take time out from our very, very busy lives and this is the place to do it. You can’t be busy here,” he said, then with a smile added: “only Sister Marcy can be busy.”

Along with fostering his own spiritual nourishment, Deacon Wilson, who is assigned to St. Gregory the Great Parish, Hamilton Square, and is the parish’s RCIA coordinator, said each year he brings the catechumens and candidates to Francis House for a Saturday retreat during Lent. He and his wife have also enjoyed the Valentine’s Day evening retreat for married couples during which a Mass is celebrated and couples are invited to renew their wedding vows. A candlelight dinner follows the Mass.

“You’re on holy ground when you’re here,” said Deacon Wilson of the building, the property and especially of the people.

“Francis House is probably the best kept secret in the diocese.”

Deacon Jim Grogan from Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish, Moorestown, became familiar with Francis House while he was in the diocesan diaconate formation program.

“When I look at Francis House, I see it not so much in years, but in seasons,” he said, noting that when he arrived the morning of Oct. 22, he was awed by the vibrant autumn colors – the golden fields and the changing trees and how they enhanced the prayer house and its surrounds.

“There’s a serenity to the setting here because it’s quiet; it is removed from the hectic pace of our lives,” he said.

Deacon Grogan said he was interested to learn about different types of prayer – such as centering prayer and the Ignatian discernment prayer and how he has come to “explore spirituality and prayer on a somewhat different level.”

“The challenge as we grow in our relationship with God is learning how to pray from the heart; to share with God our inner most thoughts, and Francis House has been a big part of that,” he said, adding that he has also been a presenter of Lectio Divina at Francis House.

As a fellow Sister of St. Joseph, Sister Bonnie McMenamin, who directs the Camden Diocese’s ministry for persons who are deaf and those with disabilities, came to know Francis House through Sister Marcy about six years ago when she was searching for a place to attend weekly spiritual programs and receive spiritual direction.

Francis House, she said, fit that need.

“Once you experience Francis House, you become part of anyone who walks in the door,” said Sister Bonnie. “There’s a feeling of communion with the people. It’s a family. It’s people from all walks of life. I think it’s that deep communion of a loving God that brings us together and I know when I leave Francis House, I pray for the people who have helped me to experience God in a different way. That’s part of the charism of Francis House.”

“It’s God place,” Sister Bonnie added. “God is at the heart of Francis House.”

Colleen Spaeth, an ordained deacon in Grace Episcopal Church, Haddonfield, has been coming to Francis House for “as long as Marcy’s been here.”

“Francis House is an oasis to me,” said Spaeth, adding that she has especially enjoyed the mid-life directions programs, Enneagrams, and receiving spiritual direction. She has also accompanied groups from her church to Francis House for retreat experiences as well.

Father Schulze has been with Francis House from the beginning.

In 1974, he was assigned as parochial vicar of St. Joseph Parish in nearby Beverly, when he had met Franciscan Sister Clare Wilde, Francis House’s director at the time.

Sister Clare, he said, had invited him to celebrate Mass for the retreatants on several occasions.

Happily, Father Schulze said that his affiliation with Francis House has continued over the years and “it continues to be a pleasure and privilege for me” to have that relationship.

“The existence of Francis House is a rich blessing to our diocese and for the many women and men who have the chance to visit and enjoy the peace of the place nestled in the soybeans,” said Father Schulze. “May there be another 35 years of blessings and more!”