St. Thomas More House of Prayer

Saint Thomas More House of Prayer is a Catholic retreat center in Cranberry, Pennsylvania, dedicated to praying and promoting the Liturgy of the Hours. Founded in the 1980s by Wayne and Patty Hepler, it offers daily prayer sessions, retreats, and workshops to help individuals and groups deepen their faith and connection to the Church's communal prayer. Visitors can expect a peaceful, media-free environment with a focus on liturgical worship and spiritual growth.

Saint Thomas More House of Prayer is a Catholic retreat center located in Cranberry, Pennsylvania, within the Diocese of Erie. The center was founded in the 1980s by Wayne and Patty Hepler after they converted to the Catholic Church and discovered the transformative power of the Liturgy of the Hours. Their mission is to pray and promote this form of communal prayer, which is considered a vital part of the Church's Sacred Liturgy. The center offers daily prayer sessions, retreats, and workshops to help individuals and groups learn and practice the Liturgy of the Hours.

The atmosphere at the retreat center is designed to be quiet and peaceful, encouraging prayer, meditation, and contemplation. Guests are asked to maintain a media-free environment in common areas, and modest dress is encouraged, especially in the chapel. The center can accommodate groups of up to 28 people across 14 rooms, with a separate apartment for priests.

Daily prayer times include Office of Readings at 5:30-6:00am, Morning Prayer at 8:00-8:20am, Mid-Morning Prayer at 10:00-10:10am, Mid-Day Prayer at 12:00-12:10pm, Mid-Afternoon Prayer at 3:00-3:10pm, Evening Prayer at 5:30-5:50pm, and Night Prayer at 8:00-8:10pm. On Sundays, only Evening Prayer at 6:30pm and Night Prayer at 8:00pm are offered Prayer Schedule.

The center also hosts retreats and offers resources for those interested in incorporating the Liturgy of the Hours into their personal or parish life. For those new to the practice, the center provides guidance and support to help them understand and master the prayerbook Our Mission.

Newcomers are welcome, and the center encourages individuals and groups to participate in the communal prayer and to book retreats for an extended stay. The center is committed to helping visitors discover the power of the Liturgy of the Hours and to experience its effects on the soul Who We Are.

The chapel is used exclusively for prayer, and guests are asked not to rearrange the altar or chairs. The center also has a commercial kitchen, dining room, and various spaces for presentations and discussions FAQ.

St. Thomas More House of Prayer in Cranberry, PA, offers a serene Catholic retreat centered on the Liturgy of the Hours. Founded by Wayne and Patty Hepler, it provides structured daily prayer sessions and welcoming retreats for individuals and groups. First-time visitors will appreciate the quiet, media-free environment and the emphasis on communal worship and spiritual growth.

Pros

• Clear, consistent prayer schedules posted online for daily and Sunday services
• Offers dedicated retreats and workshops focused on Liturgy of the Hours education
• Maintains a media-free common area policy to foster contemplative atmosphere
• Provides well-defined facilities including a chapel, kitchen, and group spaces
• Explicitly welcomes newcomers to participate in communal prayer
• Includes guidance for those new to the Liturgy of the Hours practice

Cons

• Requires visitors to adhere to strict media-free policies in shared spaces
• Chapel has specific usage rules (no altar or chair rearrangements)