Today
Mercy Retreat Center is used by many denominations of faith for retreats and conferences. This ecumenical approach has allowed Mercy Retreat Center (Mercy Hospital) to remain a vibrant landmark for the South Plains.
In 2008, an addition to the north side entrance of the Holy Spirit patio included two ADA handicapped restrooms, large storage area for equipment, small kitchen with ice machine and central heating and air conditioning unit. This was made possible by the generosity of the CH Foundation. This addition to the Holy Spirit patio is now being used on a weekly basis by various guests.
Today, the physical plant includes 45 rooms with overnight accommodations for up to 91 people, various size conference rooms, dining room, commercial kitchen, an enclosed patio, a courtyard, and meditation/prayer garden. High-speed wireless internet access is throughout most of the building. Distance learning equipment, as well as video projectors, compliments the facility.
Mercy Retreat Center is uniquely positioned; surrounded by a campus-style environment that includes St. Joseph Church, Parish Center, School and Hall. Many of the retreats at Mercy Retreat Center enjoy the availability and the accommodations of the surrounding facilities. Because of the uniqueness of this availability Mercy Retreat Center will have 200-400 people come through the facility each week to welcome retreat participants, attend closing services and attend Civic & Community and family events. Most retreats have 45-91 people spending the night within the facility and they enjoy 7-9 meals during their stay.
Retreat Usage
NOTE: Although Catholic owned, approximately 50 percent of the guests are from other denominations.
LIONS CLUB – The Slaton Lions Club meets every Monday for Lunch and their weekly meeting.
MINISTERIAL ALLIANCE – The local Ministerial Alliance, made up of local and area church pastors & ministers, meet once a month for Breakfast and their monthly meeting.
TWOGETHER IN TEXAS – Mercy Retreat Center is a certified training facility for the state of Texas Marriage Preparation Program holding retreats for couples.
Engaged Encounter (1981 – Today) A Marriage Preparation Program that is required by many pastors before performing a wedding ceremony for a couple.
WALK TO EMMAUS (1989 – Today) Sponsored by the Llano Estacado Emmaus Community. A 72-hour course on Christianity and is overseen by the Upper Room of Nashville, an organization under the direction of the Methodist Church. People from many denominations participate in this life-changing program.
CHRYSALIS FLIGHT & JOURNEY (1998 – Today) The Llano Estacado Emmaus Community oversees this Upper Room governed version of the Walk to Emmaus provided for high school-aged students and college-aged students.
ACTS (2004 – Today) Adoration * Community * Theology * Service. This retreat program is primarily for Catholics; however, it is open to persons of any religion. The ACTS Community continues to thrive, holding three women’s retreats and two men’s retreats each year.
KAIROS PRISON MINISTRY (1997 – Today) The Llano Estacado Emmaus Community oversees this program. It is a version of the Walk to Emmaus that is taken into the Montford Prison Unit. These retreats are held twice a year for 36 inmates and include a team of approximately 80 people. The team prepares the food at Mercy Retreat Center for the inmates and the team lodges within the facility for the duration of the retreat.
CURSILLO – The Catholic, Episcopalian, and Presbyterian often hold their Cursillo Retreats at Mercy Retreat Center. Although they are few in number, they continue to renew the faith of those involved.
CONFIRMATION RETREAT – Often Catholics conduct a weekend spiritual training program for young adults.
Other facility usage Uses
Since its inception in 1981, Mercy Retreat Center has provided many types of programs consisting of youth, healing, marriage & family, and counseling retreats.
Civic & Community Events: Chamber of Commerce meetings; the “Shattered Dreams” program for high schools; overnight lodging for those in need; Slaton ISD School testing projects; Local Art Show, class reunions and other events.
Family Events: Family reunions, wedding receptions, banquets, baby and wedding showers, and quilting retreats, etc.
Background…
Texas Historical Marker: In 2009 Mercy Hospital (now Mercy Retreat Center) was granted by the Texas Historical Commission a Historical Marker for its contribution to this area. The installation and dedication of the marker was on July 27,2010.
Yesterday
On November 25, 1929, Mercy Hospital became a blessing to Slaton and the surrounding communities. The four story brick building with a basement along with the latest hospital features and a 50 bed capacity became a reality. The legacy of Mercy Hospital includes the physical, mental and spiritual well-being of all God’s children. This was the vision of Msgr. Thomas O’Brien and the Sisters of Mercy. Many donations of planning, time and money came from people of all denominations and civic leaders in the local and surrounding area to make this dream possible.
In July 1952, the newest addition to the hospital was blessed. The new two-story structure with a chapel, community room, reception room, kitchen and 26 private rooms were connected to the hospital. This convent allowed the Sisters of Mercy to have their own living facility in order to continue their work in the hospital and to house the Sisters who taught at the St. Joseph School across the street. In 1960, six bedrooms and a laundry room were built above the community room of the convent.
By the late sixties and early seventies, the patient count decreased and physicians were attracted to the nearby urban hospitals. In 1977, the Slaton Memorial Foundation was established to keep the facility open. A few Sisters continued to be employed at the hospital, in addition to doing pastoral work at the rest home across the street.
In 1980, the convent was leased to the Amarillo Catholic Diocese as a retreat center and became Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Center (Mercy Retreat Center). On April 11, 1985, after 56 years of providing quality health care for Slaton and the surrounding area, Mercy Hospital closed and the property reverted to the Sisters of Mercy. Then in July 1986 the Lubbock Catholic Diocese obtained the property.