“My soul rests in God alone”
Psalm 62:1
Come & Be with Our Lord at
Bethany
Bethany Center for Prayer and Renewal warmly invites you to step away from the busyness and constant noise of life and spend time with God in the beauty and transformative gift of silence.
Bethany exists to help all of God’s faithful—priests, religious, and laypeople—respond to His tender invitation to meet His gaze of love. Through silent, personal directed retreats, He desires to renew and strengthen your friendship with Him in ways words cannot reach.
Just as Jesus modeled by retreating into solitude, stepping away from daily life opens us to receive His love more fully and deeply. Come—receive and allow Him to fill you with His peace, healing, and joy. He longs to care for you at Bethany.
The Bethany
Property
The
Chapel
We are transforming the former granary into a sacred chapel — a work in progress that will become a home for the ‘Bread of Life.’ As construction advances and sacred art is commissioned, it will invite the faithful to reverent Adoration, peaceful contemplation, and the celebration of sacraments. Adorned with original works by Twin Cities Catholic artists, it will vividly reveal salvation history and point hearts anew to Christ.
farmhouse
renovations
Inspired by Jesus’s visit to his friends in Bethany – a home of welcome and hospitality—we have plans to thoughtfully enhance the craftsmanship and beauty of the farmhouse. These additions will create more retreat rooms, multiple Adoration chapels, and prayerful spaces with ample room to rest in comfort and silence amidst God’s creation. These transformations will invite Christ’s presence to touch every guest, bringing them into his peace.
mary of magdala
center
We are exploring options to transform the existing barn into an inspiring setting. Guests can look forward to the utmost comfort and breathtaking views of the lake, while being captivated by the majestic woodwork—evoking the boat in which souls are caught for Christ, inspired by the spirit of Magdala. This expanded facility will include a chapel, additional Adoration and prayerful spaces, a library, a workout room, and office areas. This center will allow us to easily and comfortably welcome, serve, and guide more hearts to Christ during our Days of Reflections.
The
Grounds
Nestled on 110 acres in the St. Croix River Valley, Bethany provides a truly restorative experience. Explore the tranquil lakeshore, wander along scenic trails through lush woods, and discover moments of stillness in God’s magnificent creation. With abundant wildlife, sunrises and sunsets that paint the sky with vibrant hues, and winding paths for reflection and renewal, Bethany is a haven where nature stirs the soul and deepens your prayer.
Beauty
rest
quiet
Beauty
rest
quiet
Testimonials
“When I went on my first silent directed retreat in 2017, I encountered the love of the Lord in a way I didn’t know was possible! I was transformed, and for the first time in my life, I was living in the freedom and truth that I am God’s delight. I knew at that moment that I wanted everyone to be able to experience this love. God’s invitation to start Bethany is the fruit of that desire.”
Sheryl Moran
Founder of Bethany Center for Prayer and Renewal
“Bethany Center for Prayer and Renewal is a welcome addition to our Archdiocese. The silent directed retreats that I have made over the years have always been instrumental in my spiritual growth. I am delighted that Bethany Center will make it possible for many more people to learn and pray and to experience the grace of silence and spiritual direction in such an idyllic setting. I enthusiastically encourage you to pray for and support this important ministry and I hope that you will soon have the opportunity to experience personally the blessings of Bethany Center.”
Most Reverend Bernard A. Hebda
Archbishop of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
“My life has been changed through the gift of silent directed retreats. I have found this to be one of the most profound methods the Holy Spirit uses to speak to the deepest places of my own heart. These retreats have revealed to me deeply the love of God and allowed me to respond to that love more readily in my daily life. To have a beautiful space like Bethany in the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis dedicated to this work will allow many people to experience the transforming love of God that will set them more profoundly on the path to holiness.”
Most Reverend Andrew Cozzens
Bishop of Crookston
Fr. Spencer Howe
Pastor of Holy Cross Church
“The ministry and mission of Bethany is one which promotes healing and holiness and building up the Kingdom of God. By God’s Grace, my life has been forever changed and enriched and my priestly vocation has been fortified through my healing retreat experience at Bethany.”
Fr. James Peterson
Pastor of Saint Odilia Catholic Church
“The Bethany Center is a beautiful and peaceful retreat center. I spent a week there on silent retreat during Holy Week, and was deeply blessed by Fr. Brian Fischer’s direction and by the beautiful home and spacious property which brought peace on my daily prayer walks. I enthusiastically recommend it to anyone looking for a unique and distinct place to grow deeper in their prayer life and in their relationship with God.”
Dr. Bob Schuchts
Founder of John Paul II Healing Center
Make a
Retreat
Currently, we offer 3- or 5-day retreats, modeled after the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola. Each retreat includes daily personal spiritual direction, the celebration of Mass, and continuous access to Christ in the Blessed Sacrament for Adoration, and an opportunity for Confession, allowing you to encounter His presence.