St. Joseph Retreat & Conference Center Timeline

April 18, 2025 OCIA at North Newton Jasper Pastorate accompanies candidates on their Journey to the Catholic Church in The Catholic Moment 

February 9, 2025 Jubilee 2025: Retreat Center to host upcoming Pilgrims of Hope event in The Catholic Moment

January 12, 2025 Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana begins its local observance of the Jubilee Year in The Catholic Moment

December 22, 2024 Over 400 people gather for third annual Festival of Nativities at the St. Joseph Retreat & Conference Center in The Catholic Moment

December 1, 2024 SJRCC to hold 3rd annual Festival of Nativities this December in The Catholic Moment

November 17, 2024 Annual Advent Day of Reflection focused on the Jesse Tree Tradition in The Catholic Moment

November 17, 2024 Diocese holds annual Pastoral Juvenil Retreat from November 1-3 at SJRCC in The Catholic Moment

July 31, 2024 National Eucharistic Congress edition of The Catholic Moment

February 11, 2024 Offering a little slice of heaven in every meal she makes in The Catholic Moment

February 11, 2024 SJRCC offers Lenten Day of Reflection, transforming retreatants through prayer in The Catholic Moment

December 24, 2023 St. Joseph Retreat & Conference Center holds second annual Festival of Nativities pictorial spread in The Catholic Moment

 December 20, 2023 Living Nativity in the Tipton County Tribune 

November 25, 2023 Second Annual Festival of Nativities at the St. Joseph Retreat & Conference Center in Tipton will be two-day event in The Catholic Moment

Summer 2023 Presbyterial Convocation in the Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana in Catholic Rural Life

July 23, 2023 Finding the Eucharist in the stained glass windows of the St. Joseph Chapel at the SJRCC in The Catholic Moment

May 26, 2023 Lisa Hemmerling becomes partime Hospitality & Events Associate.

May 1, 2023 19 guests joined us for second annual volunteer day on the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker

April 23, 2023 SJRCC offers visitors opportunities to take care of their spiritual health in The Catholic Moment

March 12, 2023 St. Joseph Retreat & Conference Center hosts annual spring cleaning on feast of St. Joseph the Worker in The Catholic Moment

March 12, 2023 St. Joseph, Mirror of Patience in The Catholic Moment

March 12, 2023 More than a name: SJRCC looks to honor its patron saint both physcially and spiritually in The Catholic Moment

March 12, 2023 Director is inspired daily by committment of the organization's patron saint in The Catholic Moment

January 29, 2023 St. Mary Alexandria parishioner attends mass at every church in the diocese in The Catholic Moment

December 25, 2022 SJRCC holds first annual Festival of Nativities pictorial spread in The Catholic Moment

December 18, 2022 First Annual Festival of Nativities, 11 am to 4 pm

December 11, 2022 SJRCC to host first annual Festival of Nativities in The Catholic Moment

September 26, 2022 5th Anniversary Mass and Open House

July 24, 2022 St. Joseph Academy Alumnae gather to honor 50th anniversary class in The Catholic Moment

July 10, 2022 St. Joseph Academy Alumnae gather to celebrate their 50th anniversaryin The Catholic Moment

Summer 2022 Two volunteers, Peggy Martelli and Bev Stout, begin recovering and refubishing second floor guest room chairs.

June 2022 Fr. Adam Mauman donates kneeler and candelaubra which is set up at the Our Lady of Guadalupe painting in the St. Joseph Chapel vestibule.

May 15, 2022 Retreat to offer prayer, discussion and the sacraments to young adults in The Catholic Moment

May 15, 2022 Go to God First in All Things in The Catholic Moment

February 20, 2022 Christian Awakening retreat transforms youth in The Catholic Moment

February 14, 2022 Stacy Collins joins SJRCC staff as Hospitality & Event Associate

January 23, 2022  Renewing Hearts in Christ article about staff and volunteers in The Catholic Moment

January 3, 2022 Terence (Terry) Connelly joins SJRCC staff as Director of Hospitality & Operations

December 2022 Levi Kiser donates more than 50 rolling tables to SJRCC from his workplace.

October 29, 2021 SJRCC Supplement in The Catholic Moment

October 14, 2021 Missionary Servants of the Divine Spirit Sisters begin temporary residence in the Nazareth House while they await the remodel of their convent in Reynolds, Indiana.  The Sisters, who are here from Colombia, will serve the Hispanic population in this region. Diocese welcomes new religious order of nuns

 September 12, 2021 Eagle Scout candidate Ike O'Neill landscapes around the St. Therese Grotto.

 September 8, 2021 Electric piano gifted to the Retreat Center!

July 26, 2021 Father Huemmer uses former life exepriences as guide to help retreatants grow closer to God in The Catholic Moment

July 12, 2021 Plan a pilgrimage to a sacred site named for St. Joseph in our diocese in The Catholic Moment

July 12, 2021 Summertime schedule opens opportunities to retreatin The Catholic Moment

May 2021  Eagle Scout candidate Thadeus O'Neill builds benches for Retreat Center in the SJRCC Blog

April 21-30, 2021 Original Mary and Joseph statues returned to the St. Joseph Chapel

April 18, 2021 St. Joseph Chapel Litany illuminates work of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Tipton in The Catholic Moment

April 4, 2021 Sorrow leads to the joy of new life: The seven sorrows and joys of St. Joseph in The Catholic Moment

March 21, 2021  The Penitential Psalms: Lenten medicine to revive the soul this season in The Catholic Moment

January 11, 2021   Retreat center offers spiritual renewal despite restrictions in The Catholic Moment

December 8, 2020 Pope Francis Proclaims Year of St. Joseph—December 8, 2020 to December 8, 2021

November 1, 2020 Sisters of St. Joseph leave 132-year legacy in The Catholic Moment

September 1, 2020
Host Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana live stream kick-off of Catholic Ministries Appeal (replacing Fruitful Harvest)

August 2020 Digital sign added to SJRCC lobby

July 1, 2020
Reopening of our facility after a temporary closure due to COVID-19 global pandemic.

June 11-19, 2020  The Sacred Heart: Exploring the Scriptures used for the feast in the liturgy of the church Novena by Fr. David Huemmer

May 9-24, 2020 The Psalms of Ascent At Home Retreat by Fr. David Huemmer

April 4-12, 2020 Home Retreat for Holy Week of the Hallel Psalms online scripture and reflection by Fr. David Huemmer

March 18, 2020
Temporary closure due to COVID-19 global pandemic.

February 2020
SJRCC Welcomes Keltie and Joe Domina of Keltie & Co. Catering

January 18, 2020 Jamie Davis joins staff as meal attendant

January 18, 2020
Saving St. Katharine Hall: Effort underway to salvage last vestige of St. Joseph Academy in the Kokomo Tribune

January 12, 2020
Center continues to attract spiritual encounters with Christ for over 100 years in The Catholic Moment

January 12, 2020
Away for a Day: SJRCC brings parishioners closer to God in  The Catholic Moment

January 12, 2020
To be filled so as to fill others: Taking a retreat for renewal in  The Catholic Moment

January 9 and 15, 2020
Donations allow Huston Electric Inc. of Kokomo to run a temporary power line, energize the electric panels and check interior electrical plugs of St. Katharine Hall.

January 6, 2020
Donations allow Brock's Guttering of Kokomo to replace gutters on St. Katharine Hall.

December 17-24, 2019
O Antiphon pray-a-long  @stjosephretreat on Instagram.

December 15, 2019
The Advent Spirit: Being watchful and filled with anticipation in The Catholic Moment

October 26, 2019
Deacons Chuck Springer and Ed Boes, along with their wives Sheila and Susie, boarded up the broken windows in St. Katharine Hall to prevent further damage to the building.

October 20, 2019
Silent retreats: Opportunity to grow in Ignatian Spirituality in The Catholic Moment

October 2, 2019
St. Joseph Retreat & Conference Center: Tipton's hidden gem in The Tipton County Tribune

May 26, 2019
Retreat Center Looks to Inspire Visitors with its Artwork in The Catholic Moment

May 5, 2019
Legion of Mary Members answer call to holiness, service in The Catholic Moment

March 2019 Jamie Davis begins volunteering at SJRCC

January 13, 2019
Couples invited to build relationships with the ‘Rite Stuff’ article in The Catholic Moment
 
November 18, 2018
Couples explore beauty of the Mass, sacrament of marriage at retreat article in The Catholic Moment
 
November 9, 2018 through November 10, 2018
St. Stephen Wing used for the first time for a Married Couples Retreat hosted by Chad Grube, Coordinator of Adult Faith Formation, St. Joan of Arc & St. Patrick Parishes, Kokomo, and presented by Dr. Timothy Heck, psychologist, author and speaker.
 
December 2018
Creche from St. Joseph Academy circa 1940 displayed in St. Joseph Chapel.
 
November 2018
Jake Walden hired as Chef.
 
August 5, 2018
Knights of Columbus Council 456 of Lafayette present a chalice to the St. Joseph Retreat & Conference Center article in The Catholic Moment
 
July 1, 2018
Alumnae of St. Joseph Academy in Tipton enjoy school’s 120 ^th anniversary article in The Catholic Moment
 
June 20, 2018
Twyla Arnold hired as Marketing Specialist.
 
April 5, 2018 
The new “barn doors” have been up for a couple of weeks now.  The sure do look nice and blend well with the surrounding woodwork.  The reception area has a classic new look with the stone countertop. The foyers have new carpeting and skirting that give the Retreat Center a finished look. 

March 2018
Mindy Sampson hired as Landscaper.
 
February 2018
Michael “Sean” Cardwell hired as Maintenance Supervisor.

November 11, 2017 and November 19, 2017
Hispanic youth, adults gather for V Encuentro retreats
Share their faith, Listen to their cries in The Catholic Moment
  
October 27, 2017 
Accounts have been set up with Faith Direct to provide visitors and supporters of the Retreat Center's mission a secure avenue to donate to our efforts. 
 
October 27, 2017 
The meeting rooms have updated equipment for dynamic presentations. All three meeting rooms have built-in speakers, sound systems with microphones, video projectors, screens, DVD players, podiums, flip charts, and white boards.  The business center is equipped with a photo copier and printer and a fax machine. 

October 26, 2017
The second floor is complete.
 
October 25, 2017 through April 18, 2018.
Sanitary Sewer Project by Daystar Directional Drilling, Inc.
 
October 25, 2017 through April 1, 2018
Phase Two Motherhouse renovation project by Brandt Construction, Inc.: Motherhouse first floor remaining areas (west wing, gift shop, reception area, south vestibule, etc.), associated mechanical, plumbing and electrical work, and associated furniture.
 
October 9, 2017 
Thanks in part to the Diocesan partnership with eCatholic, the retreat center's website is getting a make-over. 
  
October 6, 2017 
The final cleaning of the second floor takes place today. The ceiling tiles are in, the light fixtures are installed, the rooms are carpeted.  All bathroom fixtures have been serviced or replaced.  The second floor is now ready for occupancy! 

October 1, 2017 Three statues, tabernacles, wall bells, crucifix, vestments and lectionaries from the closure of St. Henry Parish in Medaryville moved to SJRCC. Parish Story closes in Medaryville in The Catholic Moment

September 26, 2017 through September 29, 2017 
The third floor is complete. Students on Retreat from Cathedral High School are our first visitors.

September 24, 2017
St. Joseph Retreat and Conference Center to open for reservations this week article in The Catholic Moment
 
September 10, 2017
St. Joseph Retreat & Conference Center nears opening article in The Catholic Moment

September 10, 2017
Facilities Director excited to begin welcoming guests in The Catholic Moment
 
September 1, 2017
Fr. David Huemmer appointed Chaplain & Spiritual Director.

August 8, 2017 
The chapel mural was delivered and pasted on the St. Joseph Chapel wall. 
  
July 13, 2017 through October 19, 2017
Phase One Motherhouse renovation project by Brandt Construction, Inc.: Motherhouse third floor, first floor restrooms, first floor kitchen and second floor renovation, and associated mechanical, plumbing and electrical work.
 
June 19, 2017
Samir Azer hired as Operations and Hospitality Director.
 
March 2017
Bruce Freeman hired as Maintenance Technician.
 
March 23, 2017 through October 25, 2017.
Design work by Entheos Architects, Circle Design Group, McGee Designhouse and Vorndran & Associates for Motherhouse renovations and associated furniture.
 
February 6, 2017 through October 25, 2017.
Engineering work by HWC Engineering for Sanitary Sewer Project.
 
February 2017 through April 2018
Asbestos abatement and monitoring by National Environmental Service Corporation, Environmental Assurance Company, Inc. and ATC Group Services, LLC.
 
January 23, 2017
The first Facilities Director, Stephen Keller, hired.
 
August 9, 2016 through September 25, 2017.
Chapel renovation project by Marten Construction Management, Inc.
 
April 2016 through March 2017
Smaller maintenance and renovation projects by Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana: Window, roof, boiler, plumbing, elevator and kitchen equipment repair work.
 
December 9, 2015 through July of 2017
Asbestos and lead paint sampling and testing by ATC Group Services, LLC.

May 15, 2016
"Our home, now your home': Sisters retrace 'a sacred journey' of memories, hopes in Tipton in The Catholic Moment
 
May 11, 2016
Post-purchase environmental assessment by ATC Group Services, LLC.

May 8, 2016
Lafayette diocese purchases former motherhouse and retreat center from Congregation of St. Joseph in The Catholic Moment

2016-2017 First St. Joseph Retreat & Conference Center Chaplain Fr. John Kiefer
 
April 27, 2016
Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana purchased buildings and land associated from Sisters of St. Joseph of Tipton.
 
November 23, 2015 through January 22, 2016.
Pre-purchase condition and environmental assessments by Arsee Engineers, Inc., HWC Engineering, ATC Group Services, LLC, Scholer Corporation and the Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana.
 
Late 2014 through early 2015
First contact by Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana with the Sisters of St. Joseph of Tipton about retreat center buildings and land.