PROGRESS TO DATE
September 23, 2023:
Archbishop Blessing
On September 23rd, 2023, Archbishop Aquila blessed the chapel and the hermitages of St. Francis of Assisi and St. Ignatius.
“It was a joy to come to Patris Corde to bless the new chapel and the hermitages. I am delighted with the progress that you have made and your vision going forward. It will be a great service to the Archdiocese by giving priests and others a place to encounter the Divine Word in a place of beauty and silence. Know of my gratitude and be assured of my prayers for you and for what you are doing.”
- Most Reverend Samuel J. Aquila, S.T.L., Archbishop of Denver
Fall of 2023:
Near Completion of Stone Chapel
The Chapel of St. Joseph is nearly completed.
“At the heart of retreat is the presence of God. So too, the heart of every retreat center is the chapel, the privileged place where God dwells in the Most Holy Eucharist. At Patris Corde, the chapel is the central place around which all other hermitages orbit; for within it lies the source and summit of our Catholic faith. In many respects, the chapel could be described as ’God's hermitage.’" - Fr. Nepil
Fall of 2023:
Completion of 2 Hermitages
The hermitages of St. Francis of Assisi and St. Ignatius are also nearly complete.
“Often, before his greatest acts of ministry, Jesus would withdraw to the wilderness, to the mountains, to pray. Going to the wilderness, away from the constant noise of the world and into the spiritual desert, has made me a better husband, a better father, and a better teacher. The gift of silence at Patris Corde, a place surrounded by stunning beauty, is one of the Archdiocese of Denver’s greatest resources. In the quiet, we can hear Jesus speak to us. It is here that He is able to reintroduce us to ourselves.”
- Scott Powell - Retreatant - PhD, Assistant Professor of Theology at St. John Vianney Theological Seminary, Co-founder of Camp Wojtyla
Summer of 2022
Construction of First 2 Hermitages
As of October, the first two hermitages are nearing completion, with roofing and final exterior trim in progress. The final steps will include flooring, interior trim, plumbing, and electrical. These building sites are pictured at right.
Spring and Summer 2022
Solar Power System
In the fall of this year, we completed the power building and installation of the solar system that will power the hermitages of Phase I in addition to the well and septic pumps. This system included batteries, inverter, and backup generator as well as additional gas infrastructure.
Spring and Summer 2022
Chapel Foundation
Thanks to the generous support of many donors, the chapel foundation was completed in the early summer of 2022 and awaits building in 2023.
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Spring and Summer 2022
Land Preparation
In the spring and summer of 2022, we continued clearing ground for the walking trail system.
Spring and Summer 2022
Construction of 2 Hermitages
In April of 2022, we began construction of the first two hermitages, Saint Francis of Assisi Hermitage and Saint Ignatius of Loyola Hermitage.
Spring and Summer 2021
Completion of Inground Septic and Piping
Completion of inground septic and piping for Saint Francis of Assisi and Saint Ignatius of Loyola Hermitages.
Spring and Summer 2021
Pouring of Foundation Footer
During the building season of 2021, we began and will complete the footer, foundation walls, and concrete slabs for both the Saint Francis of Assisi and Saint Ignatius of Loyola Hermitages, including underground plumbing, water and radiant heat installation.
Spring and Summer 2021
Insulated Foundation Walls
Spring and Summer 2021
Pouring of Foundation Walls
Spring and Summer 2021
Gas Infrastructure Completion
The completed gas infrastructure included the burying and installation of three 1,000 gallon propane tanks, as well as gas service infrastructure to the stone chapel and the first 6 hermitages.
Spring and Summer 2021
Power Infrastructure
During the building season of 2021 and in the spring of 2022, we began and will complete work on all electric power systems and infrastructure for the first 6 hermitages.
Spring and Summer 2021
Septic Tank Completion
Spring and Summer 2021
Septic Field Completion
Spring and Summer 2021
Parking
During the building season of 2021, we also completed work on the parking area.
Spring and Summer 2021
Completion of Water Treatment and Storage Facilities
During the building season of 2021, we completed work on water treatment and storage facilities.
Spring and Summer 2021
Septic Lines Completion
During the building season of 2021, we completed work on the septic lines/cleanouts and wastewater treatment infrastructure for the first 6 hermitages.
Spring and Summer 2021
Roads
During the building season of 2021, we completed work on most of the roads.
February 2021
Approval of Special Use Permit
In February of 2021, our Special Use Permit was approved by the Commissioners of Grand County - something we had formally worked on with them for almost a year.
April-October 2020
Preparing Building Site for Saint Ignatius of Loyola / Fr. Raymond Gawronski Hermitage
In 2020, we cleared the building site for the Saint Ignatius of Loyola Hermitage pictured on the right, dedicated in memory of Fr. Raymond Gawronski, S.J.
April-October 2020
Preparing Building Site for St. Francis of Assisi / Msgr. Michael Glenn Hermitage
In 2020, we cleared the building site for the Saint Francis of Assisi Hermitage pictured on the left, dedicated in memory of Monsignor Michael Glenn.
April-October 2020
Preparing Building Site for Chapel
During the same 5-6 months in 2020, we also cleared the land for the stone chapel that will be modeled after St. Francis's portiuncula.
April-October 2020
Preparing of Land for Building and for Walking Trails
In 2020, 5-6 months were spent clearing approximately 150 acres that were assigned to Patris Corde Hermitage. Land was also cleared for some of the walking trail system.
