Retreat location

The Franciscan Renewal Center also known as the The Casa is located on 25 acres of beautiful desert between two Arizona landmarks: Camelback Mountain and Mummy Mountain. The grounds include a Meditation Chapel, desert walks, a labyrinth, healing garden, Blessed Sacrament Chapel, pool with whirlpool, dining room, meeting rooms and 51 private rooms with private baths.

Check-in will be open in the Community Life Center starting at 4pm on Friday, November 15th and the official Welcome and “Getting To Know You” will begin at 5pm in the Community Life Center as well. For those of you who have been to Renewal before, this is a new location on campus from previous year’s retreats. Click below for a map of the campus.. If you come early, we encourage you to explore the campus. Flashlights will be provided in your welcome packets to make nighttime navigation on the property a bit easier.

Free parking is available throughout the campus. We encourage you to park in lots closest to the Community Life Center for convenience.

Dress casual and comfortable. Weather is predicted to be in the high 60’s to low 70's during the day, dropping to the 50’s at night. There may be a chance of rain. Some of our programs will take place outdoors, so please bring appropriate clothes to ensure you’re comfortable.

There is a pool on property, so bring a swimsuit (family friendly, please, as this is a spiritual property and event). If you did not pre-register for overnight accommodations, please bring a towel and a change of clothes if you plan to swim Saturday afternoon during the fellowship free time.

All meals are prepared by the Franciscan Renewal Center culinary staff and served buffet style in the Dining Room at set times throughout the day as outlined in the schedule. A hospitality suite with complimentary snacks and beverages will be open in the Community Life Center during times our program takes place there. Vending machines are available. See campus map for location of Dining Room and Vending.

All of our rooms have private baths and 1 or 2 double beds. They are clean, simply furnished, air conditioned and heated. To minimize distractions, rooms have no phones, clocks or TVs. Wireless internet access is available in guest rooms and major public areas of the campus. Shampoo, bathing soap, and towels provided in each room. Room assignment and room key will be provided at checkin.

There are  smoking areas throughout the property. We only ask that you please keep your fellow guests in mind when you smoke. There is no smoking or vaping permitted indoors.

WiFi is available in most major public areas of the campus and in guest rooms. However, we encourage you to be device free for the time we are together to make the most of your experience. 

No pets allowed.

If you have additional questions, please drop us a line at information@renewalinthedesert.org.