Q&A with Sister James
Left to right, top to bottom: Sister Emily Vincent Rebalsky, IHM, Sister Jane Mary Carr, IHM, Sister Margaret McCullough, IHM, Sister Andrew Marie Cavanaugh, IHM, Sister James Dolores Rodgers, IHM
As iconic a site in Stone Harbor as the water tower on 96th Street, the Villa Maria Retreat House has stood on 111th Street since 1937.
None of us likes change; it’s human nature. We tend to feel comfortable when things remain the same. Sadly, however, it became clear in 2019 that time had passed our old friend by. The lack of insulation in an all-wooden structure, along with balloon-style framing allowing fire to travel easily through concealed spaces within the walls, posed a serious risk to the entire building. Additionally, the absence of HVAC – both heating and air conditioning – made conditions uncomfortable in both warm and cool weather, and outdated utilities were just some of the issues in the old structure. Due to the size of this enormous building, simple renovations were not feasible.
So, on Sept. 27, 2021, the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary broke ground on a new retreat house. Plans were painstakingly created to construct a new retreat house that could continue to serve the needs of the order safely and economically while preserving the iconic presence that Villa Maria has always held. Now, when you pass the 111th Street beach, you may need to do a double take. The beautiful new facility has the same presence as the grand old structure. The new 45-bedroom facility is designed to be used all year and includes tools that have now become essentials in our daily lives – like USB ports and Wi-Fi access.
Almost as much a part of the fabric of Stone Harbor as Villa Maria, Sister James has long been the face often associated with Villa Maria. We’re happy to report that as much as things change, some remain the same. Sister James is still a key part of Villa Maria and now serves on a five-person team of sisters who oversee the modern facility on a year-round basis. We had a chance to pose several questions to Sister James, which she kindly responded to on behalf of the entire operations team.
7MT: Now that you’ve had some time in the “new” Villa, tell us what makes the new facility so exciting.
SJ: It is a joy and a privilege to offer programs at our retreat center for the people of God. The fact that there are now five Sisters who are living here year-round is truly a blessing.
7MT: We understand that a team of Sisters oversees the new operation. Can you introduce us to this group?
SJ: Sister James Dolores Rodgers, IHM – Community Relations Director
Sister Margaret McCullough, IHM – Executive Director
Sister Jane Mary Carr, IHM – Finance Director
Sister Emily Vincent Rebalsky, IHM – Program Director
Sister Andrew Marie Cavanaugh, IHM – Assistant to the Community Relations Director (Sister Andrew has been coming to Villa Maria by the Sea for three decades, assisting Sister James during the summer and on weekends.)
7MT: How is the new facility used differently from the original Villa? For example, are there now retreats in the winter months?
SJ: The new facility is winterized, and we are now able to offer spiritual programs to the laity from October through April. The programs we offer vary from one-day programs to weekend and multi-day retreats during the week. Most of our retreats are led by a spiritual presenter; however, there are also opportunities to make a silent retreat with the option of meeting with a spiritual director daily to discern how God is leading the retreatant. Parish and other religious groups also utilize the retreat center for their own retreats. Priests, Deacons, and Sisters from numerous other religious congregations are now able to make their annual retreat here as well.
7MT: What’s your favorite feature of the new Villa?
SJ: That five Sisters now staff the retreat center all year long. It is wonderful to be able to work as a team and live in community together.
7MT: For all of the obvious advantages of new construction, you had a special relationship with the original Villa. Is there anything that you miss about it?
SJ: The spirit and apostolate of the Congregation still exist on this holy ground where our sisters have prayed since 1937. Many of the articles of the former building are now in this Retreat Center, particularly in the Chapel. This sense of familiarity in this building makes it feel like a continuation of the former Retreat Center.
7MT: After all these years in Stone Harbor, what do you still enjoy most about the Seven Mile Beach?
SJ: The beauty and vastness of God’s creation and the ability to enjoy it. It is a blessing to be able to share it with the other four sisters and see them build relationships with the wonderful people on this island.
7MT: People in Avalon and Stone Harbor have always been fond of the Villa. How can people continue to be involved with your work?
SJ: Those wishing to enjoy the spiritual programs can register for our Fall 2025 programs, which will be posted on our website www.VMbytheSea.com in early June. They can also keep abreast of what is happening on our social media pages www.facebook.com/VMbytheSea and instagram.com/VMbytheSea. As before, all are welcome to visit and pray our Stations of the Cross located on 111th Street and to pray at the Sacred Heart of Jesus statue, which is now at the center of these Stations. While the new building was still in progress in October 2022, and the grounds were being excavated, one of the workers heard and felt his machine hit something. The workers carefully dug to explore what this might be and discovered this beautiful statue, buried 7 feet underground in almost perfect condition! No one had ever seen or heard of this particular statue. At the bottom of the statue, the name of the sculptor Robert Rautenberg is inscribed along with the year 1909. This predates the construction of the original Villa Maria by the Sea by 28 years – and even the establishment of Stone Harbor by 5 years! We do not know the origin of this statue or how it came to these sacred grounds, but we DO believe that it is a sign that God is with us and wants us here!
Interested in supporting the Sisters or Villa Maria?
You can help the IHM sisters and their ministries online at ihmimmaculata.org or by mailing your tax-deductible gift to:
IHM Mission Advancement
230 IHM Drive
Malvern, PA 19355
Donations to Villa Maria by the Sea Retreat Center can be made online at VMbytheSea.com or by mailing your tax-deductible gift to:
Villa Maria by the Sea Retreat Center
101 111th St.
Stone Harbor, NJ 08247
NEXT MONTH: In our August Q&A, we’ll catch up with Jack Erkert, an Avalon native who helped revolutionize the nightlife industry in the ’70s on the Seven Mile Beach.