St. Paul of the Cross, founder of the Passionists, always wished his monasteries to be places of hospitality. The same applies for our retreat centers, which not only welcome retreatants for spiritual programs, but offer meeting space, refreshment, and lodging for religious and other non-profit organizations.
Most find out about us by word of mouth. There is quite a diverse group of people as the following list will show: a priest support group; Victims of Violent Crime; St. Luke Lutheran Church; Pittsburgh Mediation Center; Three Rivers Adoption Council; Black Catholic Ministries; Pittsburgh Leadership Foundation; Oakland Catholic Sophomore Retreat; Allegheny County P.I.P.E.R.; Tadiso; Catechetical Administrators of the Diocese of Pittsburgh; Womancare Inc.; South Side Business Alliance; A.I.U. Pupils Personnel Services. Juvenile Court was our most frequent visitor, offering training programs several times a month for men and women in various aspects of law enforcement. The programs have ranged from five-hour events to five-day retreats.
Occasionally a group will ask for a special dinner with appropriate decorations for the Blue Room or dining room. We do our best to make all people feel at home. Our Chef has adapted menus to a wide variety of tastes, and more of our clients are requesting lunch as part of their program. Our kitchen, office, and housekeeping personnel go out of their way to make sure St. Paul’s feels more like a home than an institution. Since we operate 12 months of the year, we are able to offer our facility for all seasons and activities.
With a tradition of hospitality, our fully equipped center can accommodate not-for-profit groups for a day, overnight, or several days during the week, and occasional weekends. Individual and double rooms are available to serve up to 120 guests overnight. Spacious meeting rooms can accommodate up to 25, 40 or 120 people. A small group meeting room seats 10 to 15 people. The building is handicap accessible and parking is private and free. The chapel is available for prayer services and private meditation. An expansive garden overlooking Pittsburgh, offers an atmosphere for quiet reflection. Home cooked meals can vary according to your needs. We will work with you to make your use of our facility as pleasant as possible.
We hope you share this information with your parish leaders and other ministry groups about this oasis in the city yet outside of it. Call John Colaizzi at (412) 381-7676 for a brochure or e-mail John at [email protected].