CAPE MAY POINT – The Sisters of Saint Joseph of Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia, Pa. released the following statement regarding the future of Saint Mary by-the-Sea, a congregationally-owned and operated retreat house located in Cape May Point:
“The Sisters of Saint Joseph of Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia, Pa., have owned and operated our beautiful retreat house, Saint Mary by-the-Sea, Cape May Point, since 1909, providing retreats for sisters and laity for more than 100 years. We foresee that Saint Mary by-the-Sea, the large main retreat house located at 101 Lehigh Avenue, will continue to function as a retreat house through, at least, 2021.
“As we engage in both demographic and financial planning, we believe it is necessary for us to plan for the divestment of this property. Given its beachfront location and our congregational commitment to care for Earth, our desire is eventually to return this land to nature rather than use it for further development.
“We are consulting with a New Jersey law firm experienced in seeking out preservation/conservation organizations that would purchase our property and return this land to nature.
“As Sisters of Saint Joseph, we value our mission to ‘live and work so that all people may be united with God and with one another.’ We shall continue to reflect with our sisters and others on creative ways to share our lives, our mission and our spirituality.”
