Retreat house to be built in Tijuana

        Groundbreaking ceremonies were held March 11 for a new retreat house to be built overlooking the Pacific Ocean atop the Iberoamericana University in Tijuana. Bishop Rafael Romo Munoz of Tijuana placed a large cross on the site for the Casa de Retiros y Ejercicios Espirituales. It will be the first retreat house on the campus and the first for the Diocese of Tijuana, with a population of roughly two million. Catholics on both sides of the border will use the house.

        The project, to be built on three acres of university land, will eventually include 30 bedrooms with private bath and study area, a peaceful cloister/garden and chapel/conference room for 60 people. The first phase of the project, 15 rooms, is slated to be finished by late October, in time for retreats during Advent or Christmas, said Fr. David Ungerleider (MEX), director of the Iberoamericana University Foundation. Ungerleider has also led the university's library and gymnasium-auditorium projects.

        "I depend entirely on donations from folks interested in helping with this project," said Ungerleider. "The University gave me the land, and doesn't have a surplus budget to help with anything more. The Diocese of Tijuana cannot either. There are a few parishes across the border in San Diego that are giving me a hand, by sponsoring one of the rooms." Room sponsorships cost $10,000 each. A director has not yet been named.

For more information, visit www.uia-foundation.org.

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	The Iberoamericana University Foundation
Last updated: October 17, 2005
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