We are please to announce our partnership with Rios Clementi Hale Studios (RCH) who will create a master architectural plan for La Casa de Maria.

We’re the buzzin’ featured non-profit in this months’ Montecito Neighbors Magazine.

The Immaculate Heart Community (IHC) seeks to retain a qualified Master Architect/Master Planner to conduct a design development process for its 26-acre retreat center located at 800 El Bosque Road in Santa Barbara County, CA, known as La Casa de Maria and the Center for Spiritual Renewal (Retreat Center). 
IHC is a multi service nonprofit 501c3 public benefit corporation that

Mother Nature is performing her wonders at La Casa; our trees are fascinating. This ancient red oak is in front of the Chapel and it’s ‘sealing’ itself. Trees do not heal, but respond to injury by “compartmentalizing” injured tissue with the gradual growth of new, healthy callus tissue.

Reference: Shigo, A.L. 1982
Alex Shigo was a plant pathologist and

Slowly but surely, the grounds of La Casa de Maria and the Center for Spiritual Renewal are getting cleaned up and plans are being made for the rebuild of the property.
In making plans for the rebuild, the staff, the Board of Trustees and the Coordinating Council are visioning what is possible with the property, given new maps of the

Each year on August 6, the anniversary of the US detonation of an atomic bomb over Hiroshima, the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation (NAPF) holds a remembrance event in La Casa’s Sadako Peace Garden. This year marked the 24th annual gathering and it was especially poignant – as just six months ago the Peace Garden was awash in mud and debris

The record-setting heat was the headline for many in Santa Barbara on Saturday, July 7 but for two small groups on the grounds of La Casa de Maria that day, it was barely a footnote.

In the relatively cool Terrace Room of the big stone house – the Center for Spiritual Renewal – a group began the day in

 
In a normal year, July would be a busy time at La Casa de Maria, with programs, groups, and retreatants all making use of our facilities, land, and unique offerings. But, due to the December fires and January’s massive mud and debris flow, sadly, we are still closed while we plan for our renewal and rebirth.
We have, however,

On Wednesday, June 20, founder of Spiritual Paths Institute and longtime friend of La Casa de Maria Ed Bastian came for a visit. His purpose was two-fold – Bastian wanted to see firsthand the devastation that is a result of the 1/9 mud and debris flow. But he also came to offer financial support and delivered a $12,000 donation in support of