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 Founded by the Franciscan Friars in 1951, the Franciscan Renewal Center is located on twenty private desert acres on a site between two Phoenix landmarks: Camelback and Mummy mountains. In Spanish, Casa de Paz y Bien means House of Peace and Every Good and is a part of the coat of arms of the Franciscan order, "Pax et Bonum." It aptly describes the atmosphere of the Franciscan Renewal Center. After spending even a brief time at this beautiful Spanish style oasis in the desert, you will experience the southwestern feeling of hospitality expressed in the old Spanish greeting: "Mi Casa es su Casa" - "My House is your House."
The origins of the Franciscan Renewal Center are founded in the history of the growth of Arizona's beautiful Paradise Valley and the heritage of the Franciscan Friars of the Province of St. Barbara. The original buildings of the center were built in 1945 as the second Paradise Valley resort, called Echo Lodge. In 1947, the property was purchased by the Westward Ho Hotel in Phoenix and renamed Kachina Lodge.
 It was in 1951 that Father Owen da Silva, O.F.M., looking for a retreat site at the request of Bishop Daniel Gercke of Tucson, walked into Kachina Lodge for lunch with Father Victor Bucher, O.F.M. and Bill Wasson. "This is the place," Father Owen exclaimed. Mr. John Mills, a devout Protestant, and owner of the Westward Ho Hotel, also owned the Kachina Lodge. John Mills loved the unique lodge in Paradise Valley, but decided to sell it to the Franciscans so that it could be used for retreats.
The first retreat was held in the Fall of 1951. Today, the Casa is still an ideal location for retreats, conferences, seminars, meetings, and spiritual renewal. The site is midway between Phoenix Sky Harbor and Scottsdale Municipal Airports, each being less than a half hour drive from the Casa.
Since its beginning, the Franciscan Renewal Center has been progressively expanded and refurbished as needed. The improvements are made to meet the accommodation and facility needs of local, regional, and national organizations.
Features/Accommodations
- Meeting/conference rooms for groups of 3-120
- Guest rooms, each with private baths, individually-controlled air conditioning and heating, and single, double, and queen size beds.
- Many guest rooms are on ground level and all walkways are designed for easy access for the physically impaired.
- The main Chapel seats approximately 300 people.
- Peaceful, desert grounds on 20 acres which includes a desert walk for meditation or exercise and a rose garden with a wide variety of blooms and colors to please the senses.
- Meditation chapel for individual or small group prayer - space for about 20 people.
- 60-foot swimming pool with pool-side furniture for lounging.
- Outdoor barbecue and wet-bar facilities.
- Heated therapy spa.
- Excellent buffet-style meals served in the newly decorated dining room: seating for 160.
- Friendly staff in the well stocked gift and book shop.
- To promote the peaceful atmosphere, there are no telephones or TVs in the guest rooms. There are public phones available and access to telephones if an emergency.
- A wide variety of audio/visual equipment is always available.
- Excellent shopping only minutes away either in Phoenix or Scottsdale.
Mission Statement
The mission of the Franciscan Renewal Center is to be a Christ-centered place that provides the environment and resources for God to work through people. This Catholic community, formed by Franciscan tradition and values, is rooted in sacred Scripture and united in the worship of God through liturgical celebration and prayer, private and communal. Grounded in the Gospel concepts of peace, justice and human dignity, we are committed to living the Gospel through education, healing and hospitality, social action and contemplative experience.
Vision Statement
Rooted in the Gospel and the charism of St. Francis of Assisi, the Franciscan Renewal Center will increasingly:
- Offer a spiritual Oasis;
- Provide resources for spiritual growth and celebration;
- Foster leadership in the laity for service in the Church and greater community, particularly to the needy.
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