Lindenwood Retreat and Conference Center celebrates 40 Years of faith, community, and service

For four decades, the Lindenwood Retreat and Conference Center has provided a haven of peace, spiritual renewal, and community for people across the Region and beyond. Operated by the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ (PHJC), Lindenwood remains a testament to the sisters’ mission of service and hospitality.

Director Paul Mach knows the significance of this milestone and sees it as an opportunity to honor the past while looking ahead.

“For the next 40 years, we hope to recalibrate what we do so that we are able to take it forward,” Mach said. “We’re developing new programs and exciting new ways to connect with different groups, such as hospitals and schools, to develop retreats for them and continue to build our relationship with the great clients we already have.”

Planning a celebration worthy of such a legacy is no small task. Mach credits his team for making this anniversary meaningful for all who visit.

“It’s never a one-person job, and I’m incredibly grateful for the dedication of our staff and the OCPI team,” Mach said. “Together, they’ve spent the past year thoughtfully planning every detail—from meaningful giveaways to powerful speakers—all to create a beautiful space for our community to gather and celebrate Lindenwood.”

While Lindenwood looks ahead to future generations, Mach emphasized the importance of financial sustainability so the Poor Handmaids can continue their wider mission.

“For the past 40 years, the Sisters have generously supported Lindenwood, helping it flourish,” Mach said. “As the Sisters evolve in their own journey, we see this moment not as a challenge but as an opportunity to honor their legacy through sustainability. When I stepped into leadership during the pandemic, I set a goal for Lindenwood to become self-sustaining. We’re now very close to that vision. This allows the Sisters to focus their resources on their own well-being, while Lindenwood continues to thrive as a living expression of their mission.

For Sister Kathleen Quinn, PHJC,  the retreat center’s longevity and impact reflect the Poor Handmaids’ enduring relationship with the local community.

“Our Sisters connect with the community in various ways,” Quinn said. “We have Lindenwood that invites people in, and Sisters go there for spiritual assistance and quiet prayer. There are educational programs, spiritual opportunities, and during Christmas, children come for activities they enjoy with their families.”

Quinn believes that the Poor Handmaids’ commitment to serving others has guided their evolution and sustained their mission.

“We don’t work for ourselves; our service is for others and for the good of the people, as our title says, Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ,” Quinn said. “Serving the poor is one of our primary gifts. We’ve had sisters who were physicians helping the homeless at Sojourner Truth House in Gary, Indiana. We taught in schools that needed quality education but could not afford it.”

Sister Joetta Huelsmann, PHJC echoed this sentiment, highlighting the retreat center’s role as a sanctuary from the rush of modern life.

“I think we offer something that the world doesn’t,” Huelsmann said. “It gives people a chance to slow down, reveal themselves, and get in touch with the God within them. It helps strengthen their faith and create community for people looking for connection.”

For Huelsmann, celebrating 40 years is more than marking time — it is about honoring faith and growth.

“Personally, it’s a celebration of faith and longevity, that we have sustained this ministry for so long and still have it to offer to many people,” Huelsmann said.

Looking back on Lindenwood’s beginnings, Huelsmann fondly remembers helping lay its foundations.

“In the early days, when Carol was our second director, I was on the advisory board that formed Lindenwood,” Huelsmann said. “I felt privileged to be part of those beginnings.”

As the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ and Lindenwood step into their next chapter, their dedication to faith, service, and community remains stronger than ever.