Tragedy at Redemptorist Retreat House
Hello:
As I've mentioned in earlier postings, Liguori Publications is owned by the Redemptorist order. Last Friday the Redemptorist retreat house in Picture rocks was destroyed by fire. I'm including the text of an Arizona Daily Star article and another from the Tucson Citizen below. Fr. Tom Santa, the Director of the Center was President of Liguori when I first started working here and is also one of our authors. Please keep everyone affected in your thoughts.
Picture of the fire.
Picture after the fire.
I'm still looking for any good pictures from before the fire.
Peace,
P. Del Ricci - Dark Glass
Published: 10.07.2005
Spiritual retreat center ravaged by early-morning fire
ARIZONA DAILY STAR
The main building of the Redemptorist Renewal Center in Picture Rocks was leveled by fire early Friday, with damage estimated between $750,000 and $1 million.
"Everyone is flabbergasted," said the Rev. Thomas Santa, director of the 40-year-old spiritual retreat center, operated by the Catholic Redemptorist order's Denver Province. "We are disappointed, but we have faith, too. We know it will come together again. This is a tragedy but not like the hurricane. We still have a place to sleep."
No one was hurt in the fire, which occurred in the central building, which includes the main meeting area, kitchen, dining room and laundry. The building was in the process of undergoing a $400,000 renovation that had been slated to be complete this weekend. The retreat center includes 14 buildings and seven Redemptorist priests and brothers live there full-time. The center also has a lay staff of 15 people, as well as 10 to 20 volunteers who work there.
It took 50 firefighters two hours to put out the blaze, according to Northwest Fire Department spokeswoman Katy Heiden. Firefighters got a call about the fire at 2:12 a.m. from a passerby who saw flames coming out of the building, which sits on top of a hill. Heiden said firefighters from the Golder Ranch and Picture Rocks departments were called in to battle the flames. She said the building was 90 percent engulfed by the time firefighters arrived.
"It was an enormous fire," Heiden said.
Read more in Saturday's Arizona Daily Star.
All content copyright © 1999-2005 AzStarNet, Arizona Daily Star and its wire services and suppliers and may not be republished without permission. All rights reserved. Any copying, redistribution, or retransmission of any of the contents of this service without the expressed written consent of Arizona Daily Star or AzStarNet is prohibited.
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Saturday, October 8, 2005
Blaze destroys Picture Rocks buildingThe cause of the early morning fire on the far West Side that wrecked a kitchen and dining and conference rooms is yet to be determined.MARY BUSTAMANTEmbustama@tucsoncitizen.com Worshippers showing up for early morning Mass at the Redemptorist Renewal Center, nestled in the picturesque, petroglyph-covered cliffs of Picture Rocks, found "just a shell" after fire consumed the main structure.
The cinder block-and-wood building, which housed the kitchen, dining room and two conference rooms, was to have reopened tonight after 15 months of renovations.
A newly installed sprinkler system in the 40-year-old building was to be turned on after tests early yesterday - about five hours after the blaze began.
Northwest Fire/Rescue Department investigators have not determined the cause of the fire at the center, 7101 W. Picture Rocks Road spokeswoman Katy Heiden said.
The director of the center already plans to rebuild. Heiden estimated damage at $400,000.
"This hits hard because it's absolutely one of the most gorgeous places in Arizona," said Annette Thompson, a former volunteer who washed dishes in the main building at the center during the scores of retreats held there each year.
The Roman Catholic center attracted people from around the globe.
"You definitely feel closer to the Lord there," Thompson said. "And the priests and staff are so wonderful. And when you go to church there on Sunday, you feel better all week."
Thompson and her husband, Mike, have come to the center for six years.
The retreat season was just starting, said the Rev. Thomas Santa, director of the center. A total of 52 people were set to arrive for one yesterday.
"Everyone is feeling saddened," said Linda Herrick, director of marketing. "But Father Tom commented we just have to find creative solutions to reopen as quickly as possible."
There is no doubt the structure will be rebuilt, Santa said.
"This is a little bit more challenging than we thought 15 months ago, (when renovations began)," he said.
Buildings were not required to have sprinklers when the center was built.
"We were really close to the finish line, but we can't complain that there were unfair judges," he said. "This is no sign from God. God doesn't work that way."
Money for renovations had come from the Redemptorist of Denver Province, he said.
A passer-by reported the blaze at 2:11 a.m. yesterday. About 50 firefighters on 12 firetrucks from the Picture Rocks, Golder Ranch and Northwest fire departments spent nearly two hours fighting to control it.
"The building was engulfed 90 percent when got there," Heiden said of the 5,889-square-foot structure.
She said the pristine area that is so much a positive factor for the center contributed to the destruction - no fire hydrants are in the area. Five tankers had to drive a mile from the fire to a spot on Ina Road to fill up with water.
"Four of those trucks hold 3,000 gallons of water, and one holds 5,000 gallons, and all of them made at least two complete rounds," she said.
"The main building could not be saved, so our efforts were to keep the fire from spreading to the others," which were spared, Heiden said.
Up since the fire started, the eight priests and brothers of the Catholic Redemptorist Society who live on site greeted people for the 7 a.m. Mass.
David and Hedy Miller, who have come to weekday Mass for three years, were stunned to see "just a shell" of a building yesterday morning.
"I just wonder what we can do now. Just pray, I guess," Hedy Miller said. "Things will work out."
The chapel, another building in the center, has only a little smoke damage, David Miller said.
"The fathers are saying they'll try to have Mass in it on Sunday," he said.
CANCELED RETREATS
October
Yesterday through tomorrow: Understanding Scrupulosity
Yesterday through tomorrow: Serenity Retreat: Steppin' Out of the Past
Yesterday through tomorrow: School Sisters of St. Francis
Today: Columban Fathers Retreat
Oct. 14-16: Divine Mercy Retreat
Oct. 9-14 and 16-21: Diocese of Tucson Priests Retreat I & II
Oct. 21-23: Serenity Group
Oct. 21: St. Francis in the Foothills Retreat
Oct. 23-28: Academy for Spiritual Formation
November
Nov. 6-11: The Spiritual Promise of Sexuality
Nov. 7-11: Los Cruces Priests Retreat
Nov. 11-14: Christian Brothers Retreat
Source: http://www.desertrenewal.org/
As I've mentioned in earlier postings, Liguori Publications is owned by the Redemptorist order. Last Friday the Redemptorist retreat house in Picture rocks was destroyed by fire. I'm including the text of an Arizona Daily Star article and another from the Tucson Citizen below. Fr. Tom Santa, the Director of the Center was President of Liguori when I first started working here and is also one of our authors. Please keep everyone affected in your thoughts.
Picture of the fire.
Picture after the fire.
I'm still looking for any good pictures from before the fire.
Peace,
P. Del Ricci - Dark Glass
Published: 10.07.2005
Spiritual retreat center ravaged by early-morning fire
ARIZONA DAILY STAR
The main building of the Redemptorist Renewal Center in Picture Rocks was leveled by fire early Friday, with damage estimated between $750,000 and $1 million.
"Everyone is flabbergasted," said the Rev. Thomas Santa, director of the 40-year-old spiritual retreat center, operated by the Catholic Redemptorist order's Denver Province. "We are disappointed, but we have faith, too. We know it will come together again. This is a tragedy but not like the hurricane. We still have a place to sleep."
No one was hurt in the fire, which occurred in the central building, which includes the main meeting area, kitchen, dining room and laundry. The building was in the process of undergoing a $400,000 renovation that had been slated to be complete this weekend. The retreat center includes 14 buildings and seven Redemptorist priests and brothers live there full-time. The center also has a lay staff of 15 people, as well as 10 to 20 volunteers who work there.
It took 50 firefighters two hours to put out the blaze, according to Northwest Fire Department spokeswoman Katy Heiden. Firefighters got a call about the fire at 2:12 a.m. from a passerby who saw flames coming out of the building, which sits on top of a hill. Heiden said firefighters from the Golder Ranch and Picture Rocks departments were called in to battle the flames. She said the building was 90 percent engulfed by the time firefighters arrived.
"It was an enormous fire," Heiden said.
Read more in Saturday's Arizona Daily Star.
All content copyright © 1999-2005 AzStarNet, Arizona Daily Star and its wire services and suppliers and may not be republished without permission. All rights reserved. Any copying, redistribution, or retransmission of any of the contents of this service without the expressed written consent of Arizona Daily Star or AzStarNet is prohibited.
******************************************************************************
Saturday, October 8, 2005
Blaze destroys Picture Rocks buildingThe cause of the early morning fire on the far West Side that wrecked a kitchen and dining and conference rooms is yet to be determined.MARY BUSTAMANTEmbustama@tucsoncitizen.com Worshippers showing up for early morning Mass at the Redemptorist Renewal Center, nestled in the picturesque, petroglyph-covered cliffs of Picture Rocks, found "just a shell" after fire consumed the main structure.
The cinder block-and-wood building, which housed the kitchen, dining room and two conference rooms, was to have reopened tonight after 15 months of renovations.
A newly installed sprinkler system in the 40-year-old building was to be turned on after tests early yesterday - about five hours after the blaze began.
Northwest Fire/Rescue Department investigators have not determined the cause of the fire at the center, 7101 W. Picture Rocks Road spokeswoman Katy Heiden said.
The director of the center already plans to rebuild. Heiden estimated damage at $400,000.
"This hits hard because it's absolutely one of the most gorgeous places in Arizona," said Annette Thompson, a former volunteer who washed dishes in the main building at the center during the scores of retreats held there each year.
The Roman Catholic center attracted people from around the globe.
"You definitely feel closer to the Lord there," Thompson said. "And the priests and staff are so wonderful. And when you go to church there on Sunday, you feel better all week."
Thompson and her husband, Mike, have come to the center for six years.
The retreat season was just starting, said the Rev. Thomas Santa, director of the center. A total of 52 people were set to arrive for one yesterday.
"Everyone is feeling saddened," said Linda Herrick, director of marketing. "But Father Tom commented we just have to find creative solutions to reopen as quickly as possible."
There is no doubt the structure will be rebuilt, Santa said.
"This is a little bit more challenging than we thought 15 months ago, (when renovations began)," he said.
Buildings were not required to have sprinklers when the center was built.
"We were really close to the finish line, but we can't complain that there were unfair judges," he said. "This is no sign from God. God doesn't work that way."
Money for renovations had come from the Redemptorist of Denver Province, he said.
A passer-by reported the blaze at 2:11 a.m. yesterday. About 50 firefighters on 12 firetrucks from the Picture Rocks, Golder Ranch and Northwest fire departments spent nearly two hours fighting to control it.
"The building was engulfed 90 percent when got there," Heiden said of the 5,889-square-foot structure.
She said the pristine area that is so much a positive factor for the center contributed to the destruction - no fire hydrants are in the area. Five tankers had to drive a mile from the fire to a spot on Ina Road to fill up with water.
"Four of those trucks hold 3,000 gallons of water, and one holds 5,000 gallons, and all of them made at least two complete rounds," she said.
"The main building could not be saved, so our efforts were to keep the fire from spreading to the others," which were spared, Heiden said.
Up since the fire started, the eight priests and brothers of the Catholic Redemptorist Society who live on site greeted people for the 7 a.m. Mass.
David and Hedy Miller, who have come to weekday Mass for three years, were stunned to see "just a shell" of a building yesterday morning.
"I just wonder what we can do now. Just pray, I guess," Hedy Miller said. "Things will work out."
The chapel, another building in the center, has only a little smoke damage, David Miller said.
"The fathers are saying they'll try to have Mass in it on Sunday," he said.
CANCELED RETREATS
October
Yesterday through tomorrow: Understanding Scrupulosity
Yesterday through tomorrow: Serenity Retreat: Steppin' Out of the Past
Yesterday through tomorrow: School Sisters of St. Francis
Today: Columban Fathers Retreat
Oct. 14-16: Divine Mercy Retreat
Oct. 9-14 and 16-21: Diocese of Tucson Priests Retreat I & II
Oct. 21-23: Serenity Group
Oct. 21: St. Francis in the Foothills Retreat
Oct. 23-28: Academy for Spiritual Formation
November
Nov. 6-11: The Spiritual Promise of Sexuality
Nov. 7-11: Los Cruces Priests Retreat
Nov. 11-14: Christian Brothers Retreat
Source: http://www.desertrenewal.org/
posted by Philip Del Ricci | 9:20 AM
1 Comments:
He is right - at least they still have a place to sleep. It's a very good thing that Christians at least adhere to Faith. I like to concept of your Blog - I'll be back!
- Trisha
Mayo Brains - Spreading Thought
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