Circle Lake Retreat Center turns 10

March 12, 2013

PINEHURST — Circle Lake Family Retreat Center, located on 45 piney acres, celebrated a decade of serving the faithful on March 10.

The facility officially turned 10 years old on Nov. 17, 2012, but the festivities were delayed due to scheduling conflicts with celebrants. Archbishop Emeritus Joseph A. Fiorenza, who dedicated the facility at its opening, returned to celebrate the milestone.

Circle Lake Family Retreat Center Director Gloria M. Bustillo recalled that during the original dedication Mass, at the time of the Great Amen, the geese started honking so loudly that then Bishop Fiorenza was startled. He remarked, “Now that’s a great Amen!”

Bustillo said while a lot has changed in a decade, the one thing that has stayed the same is the way retretants feel at Circle Lake.

“The most common response I receive from guests is that the minute they turn onto Circle Lake Dr., they feel the weight of the world lifted off their shoulders, their mind beginning to clear and their very soul jumping with joy to have this quiet time with the Lord,” she said. “They are ever thankful for the opportunity to ‘be immersed in the Spirit of the Lord’ on this most hallowed ground.”

Bustillo said she is looking ahead to the future of Circle Lake.

“In this economy it is becoming so difficult for parishes and especially families to be able to set aside funds to make a retreat,” she said. “I pray that the Lord grants us the blessing to continue our mission of serving the families of this Archdiocese and ability to maintain this most sacred place for families to be together.”

Circle Lake Retreat Center
P.O. Box 1410
Pinehurst, TX 77362-1408
281-356-6764
circlelake@sbcglobal.net

Office Hours:
Monday thought Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Other Times by Appointment
Property closed to the public on Mondays

Monica Torrez, visitor to the retreat center, said the solace of nature keeps her coming back to Circle Lake. 

“God’s beauty is all around you in this magnificent place. The peaceful atmosphere gives my family and I the opportunity to grow closer to one another without all the stresses of daily life. It helps us to value what is most important in life... the love of family.”

Her 9 year-old son, John Michael, said he enjoys the time he spends with his family at the retreat center.

“I love Circle Lake because it is so peaceful here and its great to have a place where all the family can share time together,” he said. “I feel closer to God here.”

The retreat center includes 15 acres of stocked lakes. Just 40 miles northwest of Downtown Houston, the property is centrally located for families and friends of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston.

Tailored for families, Circle Lake features 14 landscaped, 1,500 square-foot homes. Houses are in configurations that may accommodate from five to 15 persons. Three houses are wheelchair accessible and equipped with signal systems for the hearing impaired. It also has a conference center, chapel and two dining halls, with overnight accommodations for up to 150 people. The grounds encompass a stocked lake and gardens.