About this Campaign
In 2020, the Crossroad District of the Methodist Church conveyed the ownership of the 101 acres of Cathedral Oaks to the Cathedral Oaks Worship & Retreat Center, a nonprofit comprised of Catholic and Methodist church members. This retreat center has served men and women participating in the Catholic ACTS Retreats and their Methodist friends as they make the Emmaus Walk Retreats. The Methodists and Catholic partners saw this historic gift as a providential work of grace, the result of the stirrings of the Holy Spirit, and a bold new opportunity to serve Christian men and women from Churches and movements from Victoria to San Antonio, Austin and Houston.
Through an amazing synergy of leadership and hope, these two organizations came to a shared dream of renewing the Cathedral Oaks Retreat Center and building the first installment of Oaks of St. Francis, a priests’ retirement community, on adjacent acreage. Part of this vision was the intimate proximity of these retired spiritual leaders to those who would be on retreat regardless of their religious denomination. This ecumenical vision began as an idea, a spark, an opportunity that flourished in a short time to the launch of the Oaks of St. Francis and Cathedral Oaks Worship & Retreat Center Joint Campaign.
The Plans for Oaks of St. Francis
The new Cathedral Oaks Worship & Retreat Center donated 13+ acres on the back of its 101-acre property to Perpetual Help Ministries for the Oaks of St. Francis project, the priests’ retirement community. The first $2.7 million phase of construction will focus on road development, site preparation and infrastructure, to be followed by the construction of two duplexes, which will house four priests, and the multi-purpose commons building that will include shared spaces for socializing, television or movie viewing, reading, the kitchen and a dining space. Over time, the plans call for the addition of as many as six additional duplexes increasing the residential capacity to 16 priest residents. Beyond these capital items, the campaign will raise $500,000 to begin a general endowment to support the maintenance and operational needs of the priests’ retirement community.
The Oaks of St. Francis and Cathedral Oaks Worship & Retreat Center Joint Campaign Objectives
Oaks of St. Francis Retirement Community Objectives
Oaks of St. Francis Land
-
13-acre parcel conferred as a gift from Cathedral Oaks Worship & Retreat Center to Perpetual Help Ministries for the purpose of the Priests’ Retirement Community
Commons Building
-
At the heart of Oaks of St. Francis is the Commons building which will house a Multi-purpose Facility, Chapel, Dining Room, Living Room, Commercial Kitchen, Foyer & Reception, 2 Guest Rooms, and a Covered Patio
2 Residential Duplexes
-
Each residential Duplex consists of a Bedroom and Bathroom Suite, Living Room, Kitchen and Dining Space, and Single-car Garage and Workbench.
Site Preparation, Engineering, etc.
-
Roadway with one creek crossing
-
Utilities (water, sewage, power)
General Endowment
Total Oaks of St. Francis
$100,000 (Secured)
$850,000
$1,250,000
$500,000
$500,000
$3,200,000
Cathedral Oaks Worship & Retreat Center Objectives
Cathedral Oaks Campus and Land
Updates to Current Facilities
Facilities Maintenance Endowment
Operating Costs in excess of revenue (3yr)
Total Cathedral Oaks Objectives
$4,431,000 (Secured)
$1,000,000
$1,500,000
$300,000
$7,231,000
Cathedral Oaks Worship & Retreat Center + Oaks of St. Francis Objectives
Bridge Financing
Campaign and Fundraising Cost
Total Shared Objectives
$600,000
$500,000
$1,100,000
Joint Campaign Goal Total $11,531,000
*As of 11/15/23
Remaining Goal $6,402,300
These great works of spiritual care and physical care have come about through the grace of God. It has been inspiration that has brought us to the table, working together to build an exciting future for Cathedral Oaks and those who choose to live at Oaks of St. Francis. It is hard to represent in print the circle of faith by which we have worked together to dream this dream.
Realizing this joint dream will only be possible with the support of Christian men and women and families, business partners, foundations and others who value our work and vision.
We are asking you to consider joining us on this adventure, called by God, to follow an ecumenical path of partnership to the glory of God, the spiritual growth of Christians and the care of these retired priests.
“Ecumenism is not something optional.”
--Pope Francis, Wednesday Audience, Vatican 1-16-2019