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A self-titled "daughter of the Adirondacks" will retire this summer, but Sister Constance Messitt, CSJ, wants to make sure that the retreat house she's run for 28 years continues to provide spiritual sustenance to Catholics from the Albany Diocese and beyond.

"Keep the Priory" is a campaign begun by supporters of The Priory Retreat House in Chestertown to raise funds to maintain the retreat center. Organizers are planning to hold a phone-a-thon March 12 to reach out to past retreat participants and donors, but they're also looking for donations from others.

In addition, The Priory's board is seeking new leadership to replace Sister Connie. She will retire in June - a few months before she turns 75 - but will continue volunteering about three days a week at the retreat house, leading programs and providing spiritual direction.

The Priory is nestled in 100 acres of woods in one of the Diocese's northernmost parts of Warren County. Originally founded in the 1970s by two priests of the Diocese as a contemplative monastic community, it evolved into a retreat center by the late '80s. Sister Connie currently works with 10 clergy, religious and lay associate staff members who lead programs and offer spiritual direction.

Over the years, The Priory has provided programs on everything from Celtic spirituality to contemplative prayer. Upcoming events include a book group, a nature-focused retreat, a series on women mystics, a marriage-enrichment day and The Priory's famous "world's largest (private) garage sale" in July, a two-day event that draws thousands of customers each year. (Read a previous story at www.evangelist.org.)

The Priory prides itself on being both mindful of its Catholic roots and providing ecumenical and interfaith offerings; on the schedule for this month is "introduction to yoga."

"We're into 'holistic spirituality,'" Sister Connie remarked.

However, she said, as The Priory's staff has grown older, its core group of retreat participants has, as well. New, younger leadership would draw more young people to attend programs - and a younger director could explore different types of retreat offerings.

Technology is now providing Catholics young and old with the opportunity to participate in retreats online, but Sister Connie believes there's no substitute for experiencing The Priory's "holy ground" firsthand.

"People find God in nature - and sometimes that's the only place they can find God," she told The Evangelist. "Some don't even come to the [Priory's] programs, but [just to] feel the peace of the land."

For three decades, Sister Connie said, "God has kept the place going" financially. The Priory operates on a budget of about $100,000 a year with no support from the Diocese or any other organization; its only funding comes from retreatants and through outreach to donors.

Sister Connie remembered many a year when she would wait until she had $2,000 amassed to start paying bills; somehow, The Priory has always finished each year in the black, with $2,000 to spare - "the magic number," the director said with a laugh.

Now, "either we close; we find another non-profit who wants the place; or we keep it as it is, but with new directions."

As The Priory tries to ensure its future, Sister Connie said she personally "would like to hand this over to people who can keep this a sacred space."

Once, a fellow Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet asked the director why she has stayed at The Priory for so long. "Because of the people who want to keep it going," she replied.

Sister Connie said her own relationship with God has evolved because of her ministry in the Adirondacks. Poetically describing The Priory amid the winter snow and summer greenery, she said the retreat house is a resource much-needed by Catholics in the Diocese: Many, she said, "have forgotten the need to just be still. We are all a part of nature."[[In-content Ad]]

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