Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find the Nazareth Retreat House?

You can put our address into Google Maps: 620 Summit Ave N, Crookston, MN 56716.  We are located directly west ? mile of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and south of the Benedictine Living Community. Signage in front of our long driveway shows the Dioceses of Crookston Pastoral Center and the Sisters of Mount St. Benedict. View our campus map here. 
 

Where do I go when I arrive?

Upon arrival at the Nazareth Retreat Center, guests will enter through the main entry with glass double doors. Check-in will be at the front desk. A staff member at the front desk will welcome you and direct you to your designated meeting space and lodging rooms. View our campus building map here. 

What should I pack?

Pack appropriate clothing and personal toiletries for the purpose of your group’s retreat and the length of your stay. A Bible, journal and water bottle also come in handy when on retreat. The Nazareth Retreat Center provides sheets, towels, linens, and pillows for your stay.

What if I forgot something?

Please do not worry at all! Walmart is a short drive from the retreat house for any forgotten items. We will also soon be starting a St. Anthony’s Forgetters Cabinet that will have some single use toiletries available 24/7. We kindly ask that you take something, please consider leaving a small donation so we can continue to provide these items as an added amenity to our facility.

Am I allowed to step outside for a walk or to go to my vehicle during off times?

Absolutely, however, please note that the doors of the retreat house always remain locked for our guest’s safety. You will need to take a fob with you if you step out, this will allow you back into the building. These will be in a basket at the front desk for you to borrow and return. 

Is there Wi-Fi?

High-speed Wi-Fi is available throughout the Nazareth Retreat Center. The password is posted at the front desk in the Lobby area as well as in each of the Wings.

Do you welcome personal retreats?

Yes! Personal retreat guests are invited to stay in our hotel-style rooms which have private bathrooms and are furnished with twin sized beds and a desk. Our professional chefs delight in preparing nutritious and delicious food, and are happy to accommodate special dietary needs with advance notice. Amenities like access to the main Chapel, mini-Chapels, workout facility, private kitchenettes, outdoor trails, fire pits are available any time to support your rest and renewal. Spiritual direction sessions are available for an additional cost. Please make reservations at least 7-10 days in advance.

How can I contact the Retreat Center?

You can call us at 218-281-4533. Our office is staffed Monday-Friday from 8am-5pm. If you are needing to ask questions about registration or upcoming events, please ask for our even coordinator Beth. If you are looking to book the facility for your group, please ask for our director Jerrica. There is always a staff member on call. In case of an emergency, you can reach the on-call manager, Jerrica, at 218-281-4533 ext 438.

Where are meals served?

Meals are served in the main Dining Room at the following times (unless other arrangements have been made in advance): 8am Breakfast, 12noon Lunch, and 5pm Dinner. Groups eat meals together while sharing the space of our large dining room with other guests.

What kind of food do you serve?

Most of our food is made from scratch and sourced locally. We can accommodate gluten free, dairy free, vegetarian, vegan, and other dietary needs/restrictions with advance notice. We strive to have balanced meals with a protein, grain, dairy, vegetable and fruit option, Our food service always provides a full salad bar in addition to a desert. 

Can I bring my own food?

Our facility is strictly peanut free. Due to our licensing, outside food is not permitted onsite by individuals or groups except in rare circumstances when it is programmatically or medically necessary. This policy also helps our professionally trained kitchen team manage severe food allergies with the highest level of care and safety across the entire campus. In addition to serving delicious and nutritious meals, we offer beverage and snack service throughout the day that often includes chilled options like fruit and yogurt, grab-and-go snacks such as granola bars and trail mix, and beverages like coffee, tea, and juice. Want to elevate your retreat and treat your participants? Consider upgrading your break times with warm pastries in the morning, a charcuterie board in the afternoon, or a popcorn bar or s’mores around the fire in the evening. Our goal is to provide nourishing, worry-free food service—giving you more time to enjoy your retreat and more energy to focus on what matters most.

Is your facility handicap accessible?

Our facility has designated parking and automatic main door access for handicap accessibility. We have braille signage throughout the facility. Our physical spaces include wide 36” doorways, accessible restroom with grab bars, walk in barrier-free showers, and wider hallways for walkers or wheelchairs. There are no stairs or second levels on our premises. 

Can I book the entire retreat center?

Yes, it is possible depending on your group’s needs. Our practice of hospitality extends generously to multiple groups and individuals at a time. Each groups needs will be met with private meeting rooms, use of Chapel, and with use of multiple indoor and outdoor shared breakout areas. Groups may inquire about booking additional private meeting rooms for spiritual direction. Nearly all amenities are reservable should groups wish to have exclusive us of the outdoor fire pits, for example. Mealtimes are one of the few places of communal gathering. That said, we are happy to consider requests for more private dining experiences—such as staggered mealtimes or meals served in a group’s private meeting room—when such arrangements are programmatically feasible. Such requests should be made at least 30 days prior to retreating.

What’s your maximum capacity?

This depends on the combined needs of the various groups onsite. For overnight accommodations, we have 22 double/triple twin bed hotel-style rooms and 4 queen bed hotel-style rooms. If a group only wants single occupancy rooms, their maximum capacity is 26. Groups who use all the beds in the dorms and stay at double or triple occupancy in the hotel-style rooms can have 52-70 participants overnight. For groups with day guests, our largest meeting room seats up to 60 people with chairs only, or 35 people with tables.

Can I smoke?

All our buildings are smoke free. Smoking is permitted in designated outside areas.