by Greg Mies
The beginning of a new year always invites us to pause and take stock, to reflect on where we’ve been and how God may be calling us forward.
At Savior Pastoral and Retreat Center (SPARC), this season has brought welcome signs of renewal. Fresh coats of paint on several interior walls and a beautiful new brick patio, thoughtfully created by an Eagle Scout, are visible reminders that renewal often begins with care and intention.
These outward updates reflect a deeper commitment to ensuring SPARC remains a place that is welcoming and safe — not only physically, but emotionally and spiritually as well.
These efforts are about much more than maintenance. They are an expression of hospitality rooted in our faith. Scripture reminds us: “Welcome one another, then, as Christ welcomed you, for the glory of God” (Rom 15:7).
When a space is cared for, people feel it. A well-tended environment invites guests to exhale, slow down, and open their hearts more fully to prayer, rest and encounter with God.
Throughout Scripture, we see that God values the spaces where his people gather for worship, mercy and renewal. From the careful construction of the tabernacle to Jesus’ insistence that the house of God be a place of prayer, we are reminded that places dedicated to God’s work should reflect reverence, care and love (cf. Ex 25–30; Mt 21:13).
When we care for spaces like SPARC, we honor the sacred moments that happen within them, moments of healing, discernment, community and grace.
SPARC is blessed to welcome a wide range of guests throughout the year, including groups from across the archdiocese, other faith communities, nonprofit organizations and community groups.
Archbishop McKnight has encouraged our parishes to be centers of charity and sanctuaries of mercy, and this vision continues to guide our work. Whether someone comes seeking silence, renewal, formation or connection, our hope is that each person experiences the love of Christ made visible through a safe, beautiful and welcoming environment.
We invite you to be part of what God is doing at SPARC. If you are part of an upcoming gathering at SPARC, please take some time to appreciate all we have to offer. These gatherings offer meaningful opportunities to step away from the noise of everyday life and make space for prayer, renewal and connection.
We also invite you to reflect: How are you being called to recommit, renew or refresh your own spiritual life in the year ahead? We hope SPARC can be part of that journey.
