Sister Frances Scanlon (l-r) and Sister Lois Jablonski sit on the patio at Stella Maris Retreat Center in Elberon. Operated by the Roman Catholic order of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace, this year marks the 70th anniversary of Stella Maris and Sister Scanlon’s 30th year at the center. PHOTOS BY LAUREN CASSELBERRY Sister Frances Scanlon remembers the Stella Maris Retreat Center in Elberon when it was solely a summer retreat house for her religious order, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace, who bought the Long Branch oceanfront property, formerly known as Sea Cliff Villa, in 1941.
“Every year, we were mandated to take a 10-day retreat at Stella Maris [translated Star of the Sea, in honor of the Virgin Mary] to recharge from our various ministries such as education and health care,“ said Sister Scanlon, who is assistant administrator at the retreat center and has served there for 30 years.
“We were allowed to sleep in until 7 a.m., attended Mass and liturgies, helped with preparing the meals and housekeeping, and allowed two daily trips to the ocean in the morning and in the afternoon.”
Sister Scanlon, a native of County Roscommon in Ireland, said the sisters wore their full wool serge habits while at Stella Maris, even down to the bathhouse, where they changed into bathing suits.
“We wore a black T-shirt over our swimsuits, and people at the adjoining beaches took pictures of us strange women,” she said. “Then we changed back into our habits at the bathhouse and returned to the retreat center. It really was heavenly to be here.”
After the Second Vatican Council (1962-65), nuns were allowed to go home for visits, she said, and the retreat center was opened to other religious orders.
“In the 1980s, we began to offer a variety of programs and retreats for the general public, both women and men,” said the nun, who now also assists with hospitality at the retreat center.
Throughout her 30 years at Stella Maris, a retreat center that offers all faiths and cultures help in seeking a holistic renewal, she has noticed a trend. “People are looking less for worldly things and increasingly looking for spirituality,” she said. “I feel peace of heart and mind at the opportunities I’ve had at Stella Maris, and know that Stella Maris will continue to offer these gifts to anyone seeking them.”
Sister Scanlon was honored recently for her 30 years of “joyfully” ministering at Stella Maris, at a 70th anniversary celebration for the retreat center held at Jumping Brook Country Club in Neptune on June 24.
According to the Stella Maris website, the retreat center was originally a Bavarian-style chalet, called Sea Cliff Villa, and built for James Brown, a member of the New York banking firm of Brown Brothers, in 1868. Previous owners include George Childs, publisher of the Philadelphia Ledger, who bought it in 1869 and convinced President Ulysses S. Grant to have a summer home next door. Adolph Lewison, a copper magnate, used it as a summer house from 1894 until his death in 1938. In 1941, it became a retreat center.
The expansion of the chapel and dining room as well as an in-ground pool followed in 1959-60. In 1963 the sisters bought Grant’s house, which was demolished, and in 1993 transformed the property into a new chapel with floor-to-ceiling glass facing the ocean, a large conference area, kitchen and chapel walkway.
“Today the retreat center has 7 acres of beautiful oceanfront property and 46 rooms with accommodations for about 46 to 48 overnight guests and 70 participants for day programs,” said Sister Lois Jablonski, the first administrator of the retreat center, who is from a different religious order, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Philadelphia. “It truly offers a diversity of gifts and ministries for those seeking the holy in a quiet atmosphere.”
Sister Jablonski said the center is open year-round and has a staff of 10 people, including two cooks, assisted by about 15 volunteers, with more volunteers welcome.
“In the summer we have most of our retreats, and during the school year we welcome high school students,” she said. “Our retreats are directed or silent on a variety of topics, and the facilities are available to nonprofit organizations for events and programs.” Sister Jablonski said that local high schools that have used the facilities and retreat programs of Stella Maris include St. Rose High School in Belmar, Christian Brothers Academy in Lincroft, and faculty members of Bishop George Ahr High School in Edison. Students have also come from the tri-state area and from as far away as Ohio and Louisiana, she said.
Topics for retreats range from scripture to prayer and environmental issues. Waterspirit, a ministry based at Stella Maris, stresses the importance and sacredness of water. It is directed by its founder, Sister Suzanne Golas, a sister of St. Joseph of Peace, who is the non-governmental organization (NGO) representative for her religious community on environmental issues at the United Nations.
The theme of the recent 70th anniversary gala, Sister Jablonski said, was “We Continue to Grow” and was the retreat center’s fourth annual fundraiser, with some funds directed for a heavy-duty copier and a newly cemented front driveway.
“I know we will continue to grow, because there is a spiritual need that we are able to fill for people,” Sister Jablonski said. “We extend an invitation to visit.”
For more information, call 732-229-0602 or visit www.stellamarisretreatcenter.com.