ARROCHAR — A former convent on the grounds of St. Joseph Hill Academy that was destroyed in 2013 in an arson attack will reopen this week to host retreats.
The fire destroyed the building and caused a nun who had been asleep to leap from a window to escape the flames, fracturing three vertebrae.
More than two years later and after $1 million in repairs, the Daughters of Divine Charity reopened the building to the public this week, transforming it into a retreat center for community members and businesses.
"Manresa closed, St. Francis closed and we said there's a need here. It may be smaller, but we can fill a need," said Sister Mary William McGovern, president of St. Joseph Hill, referring to Staten Island retreats which are now shuttered.
"It fills a spiritual need and there’s a spiritual thirst among people. Not only that, we got a little feedback from some of our neighbors who said thank you for building it."
The renovated space includes areas for seminars and workshops, a conference room, suites to accommodate 20 people overnight, wireless internet and a new chapel.
"We wanted people to be able take a retreat here, whether it was a guided retreat or private retreat or a business conference, and just have enough space to themselves," said Elizabeth Cotter, director of business development for the retreat and herself a graduate of St. Joseph Hill Academy.
"It goes back to who the sisters are. ...Part of who they are is a mother figure, they’re gracious hosts, they’re hospitable."
Borough President James Oddo, who toured the renovated spot on Tuesday, said that he thought the new renovations were "breathtaking" and commended the sisters for not selling the property to developers.
"The juxtaposition of how the sisters have handled the rebuilding of a facility that was a victim of vandalism, compared to how some other folks handled the willful elimination of the retreat house at Mount Manresa, it’s really startling," Oddo said.
"I think the sisters deserve a tremendous amount of respect and appreciation."
While developers have made offers throughout the years for the 17-acre property, they stopped after being turned down so many times. McGovern said the new renovation will show them they're in it for the long run.
"We say no because to us there are things that are more important than money: mission and ministry," McGovern said.
"The things that we can do for people with the facilities that we have mean much more to us."
The new chapel has stained glass windows and statues of the station of the cross, an altar donated by Cardinal Timothy Dolan and pews that were inside the building during the fire.
The space also has more room and is able to easily seat 100 people. It is still used by students of St. Joseph Hill Academy.
"It's the heart of our group. The chapel is really a part of our home, not the kitchen, not the living room," said McGovern, who attended the school since the 8th grade and has been here most her life.
"It’s so important to rebuild it and to rebuild it in such a way it’s almost better and the sisters can just enjoy coming in and feeling comfortable."
On Oct. 12, 2013, Vincent Calder, 21, Christopher Sasso, 21, and Diego Tuso, 20, broke into the convent and Calder lit fire to the second and third floor of the building, prosecutors said.
The three were arrested days later. Calder pleaded guilty to arson in 2015 and was sentenced to 20 years in prison, the Staten Island Advance reported. Tuso and Sasso both pleaded guilty to burglary charges.
The flames caused Sister Regina Gegic to jump from a window, fracturing three vertebrae when she fell.
"She’s often in pain, but she soldiers on," McGovern said. "She’s quite a person, she was very fortunate."
The building was also badly damaged by smoke and water from the firefighters working on quelling the flames, Cotter said.
"From that tragedy has come a truly amazing place that will help people," Oddo said.
"If you are looking for some serenity, if you want to come as a group or individual to find a place to be with your thoughts, this is the place right here on Staten Island."
