The new Broom Tree Retreat and Conference Center is ready to be officially dedicated and blessed.
The event, which is open to the public, is set for Thursday, June 2 at 4 p.m. at the facility near Irene.
“The Dan and Janet Cronin Conference Center at Broom Tree will be dedicated and blessed that day,” said Mark Conzemius, executive director of the Catholic Foundation for Eastern South Dakota.
“We would like to make sure that all the people of the region feel welcome,” he said. “This is their retreat center. It’s for all people.”
Broom Tree, which has three different phases, has been open since early in the year. It has been a busy place with many retreats already scheduled and held.
The first phase was the facility itself. It was originally a place of rest and renewal operated by a Lutheran couple.
The blessing and dedication completes the second phase for the center.
Bishop Robert J. Carlson will return from the Diocese of Saginaw for the dedication. “We are really pleased the bishop can be with us,” said Conzemius. “He had the initial vision to expand the existing Broom Tree into a conference center and family and youth camp.”
“We are also pleased the diocesan apostolic administrator, Bishop Samuel J. Aquila will be on hand as well,” said Conzemius.
The events on June 2 begins with celebration of the Mass at 4 p.m.
Following Mass, there will be picnic food available and tours of the facility.
At 5:30 p.m., the dedication and blessing of the Cronin Conference Center will take place.
Leaders from across the region will be on hand for the dedication and blessing.
The center has 50 rooms, many of which have been filled each time a retreat is hosted at the center.
For more information about the dedication or Broom Tree retreats, call the staff at 605-988-3708 or via e-mail to lori@sfcatholic.org.

Directions to Broom Tree:
From west: Highway 81 to Highway 46. Go 6 miles east until you see the signs Marindahl Lake and Mission Hill. Turn south 1 1/4 miles. The center is on the right side of the road.

From east: Interstate 29 south to Highway 46 (Beresford exit). Go west through Irene. Six miles west of Irene you will see the signs Marindahl Lake and Mission Hill. Turn south 1 1/4/ miles. The center is on the west side of the road.

Address is: 29827 466th Avenue, Irene, SD 57037