Mission and History

MISSION STATEMENT
Rooted in Gospel values and the charism of Catherine McAuley, Mount Saint Mary House of Prayer is a spiritual center dedicated to nourishing adult spiritual growth in an atmosphere of hospitality and prayer. Sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Community of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, the House of Prayer welcomes persons of all faiths to retreats, spiritual direction and a variety of programs and opportunities for holistic growth.

Our History

Mount Saint Mary House of Prayer was instituted as a sponsored work of the Sisters of Mercy in 1976 with a core group of four Sisters of Mercy – Sisters Edwarda Barry, Theresina Flannery, Mary Jo Kearns, and Margaret Mary Kelly – as founding members.
Initially, the challenge of these founding sisters was to identify a site for the House of Prayer. Once the former carriage house/stable of Mount Saint Mary was determined to be this site, basic renovations were done on the second floor for the Sisters’ living space.
During this time, the Sisters began to conduct programs on prayer and spirituality in the neighboring parishes where they encountered lay people eager to volunteer and assist in the renovation of the house.

From 1978 to 1982, with the loving labor of many volunteers under the direction of Mr. Robert Scarano, the entire house was transformed from a carriage house and barn into the present House of Prayer. When the work was completed, this “Oasis off Route 22” included a simple, awe-inspiring chapel, a meeting room, a lending library, an office, and seven bedrooms for retreatants and basic living quarters for the co-directors.
Both Sisters Edwarda Barry and Margaret Mary Kelly left the ministry in 1978 and in 1980 Sister Eileen Smith joined the remaining two co-founders. These three Sisters: Sister Theresina Flannery, Mary Jo Kearns, and Eileen Smith continued to direct the ministry at Mount Saint Mary House of Prayer.  In 2012, Sister Laura Arvin, OP joined the team as a co-director.  Sister Theresina went home to the Lord in October 2016.

Just as Mount Saint Mary House of Prayer became a physical reality stone by stone during its initial years of renovation, the people who have graced the house with their prayers, presence and financial support have become the “Living Stones,” and these living stones have helped create a spirit of peace that pervades the house.

During our 40^th anniversary in 2016, the House of Prayer underwent a major renovation thanks to the generosity of many benefactors who contributed to our “Living Stones Renovation Campaign.”  Our updated facility now includes a comfortable private dining/meeting space on the first floor with a Smart TV.  A new entryway, office, kitchen, ADA bathroom and new windows in the first-floor bedrooms complete the downstairs changes.  Upstairs we now have a comfortable meeting/sitting space for groups and retreatants to use as well as new bedrooms and bathrooms.  We still have a small lending library for people to use.  While the interior looks different, the sense of welcoming peace remains. 

The ministry of the House of Prayer has grown and flourished since its inception, welcoming thousands of people to participate in the program offerings and retreats given at the House of Prayer and to enjoy the beauty and quiet of its environment.
Besides offering on-going spiritual direction to individuals, some of the diverse programs offered through the years are: contemplative prayer, retreat days for Catholic School teachers, grief recovery, Scripture, and holistic spirituality. A significant offering, the weekly Eucharistic Hour, invites all to remember the power and blessings of prayer.

Mount Saint Mary House of Prayer continues to be a place of PEACE, CONTEMPLATION AND HOSPITALITY to all who enter this sacred space.