A New Beginning

The Capuchin Poor Clares have spent decades living a cloistered life of prayer in the convent property at St. Patrick’s Church. They are known in Denver for their trademark Clarisas‘ Cookies.

Over the past 20 years, the area around their monastery, known as the “Highlands,” has changed from a quiet residential neighborhood to one crowded with restaurants, bars, and breweries, with streets that clamor late into the night. This environment is no longer conducive to the sisters’ peaceful life of prayer.

The monastery at St. Patrick’s Church is no longer a suitable home as the list of critical and expensive repairs continues to grow. The historic building contains uneven floors and stairs and a basement that is unusable due to humidity and asbestos. The sisters are unable to make necessary upgrades including repairs needed for those with mobility issues.

The solution: a new monastery.

A benefactor has already provided a property of over 100 acres in Byers, Colorado. The land will be divided amongst the sisters, the Capuchin Friars, the benefactor who provided the land. A portion of the land will also be reserved for a new church.

The Monastery will feature:

  • Living arrangements for up to 13 sisters (an increase from our current capacity of 10)
  • Two rooms to accommodate those with mobility issues
  • Two guest rooms to welcome visitors
  • A commercial kitchen where the sisters can continue baking Clarisas‘ Cookies
  • A sustainable design that will keep maintenance costs low over time
  • A chapel for worship where others can visit the serenity of the monastery

Will you Help?

The mission of the Poor Clares remains unchanged. At their new convent in Byers, they will remain in the Archdiocese of Denver and continue to serve those in the community through prayer and vocation.

Your support will help the Poor Clares recover their roots: a life of quiet prayer, in community and set apart from the world.

Please donate now to make your gift for a new monastery. Your gift will help make a new home possible for the sisters.

Naming Opportunities at the Monastery

  • Main Chapel | $1,000,000 | St. Clare of Assisi
  • Prayer Garden | $250,000 | Blessed Chiara Luce Badano (Taken)
  • Reception Hall | $250,000 | Your patron saint
  • Sacristy | $250,000 | St. Conrad of Parzham
  • Library | $100,000 | St. Lawrence of Brindisi
  • Small Chapel | $100,000 | St. Pio of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio) (Taken)
  • Refectory | $100,000 | Blessed Mary Magdalena Martinego (Taken)
  • Kitchen | $100,000 | St. Gertrude the Great (Taken)
  • Clarissa’s Cookies Kitchen | $100,000 | Your patron saint (Taken)
  • Sewing Room | $75,000 | Blessed Lorenza Longo
  • Common Room | $75,000 | St. Francis of Assisi
  • Guest Suite | $50,000 | St. Joseph (Taken)
  • Guest Suite | $50,000 | Your patron saint
  • Visiting Room (parlor) | $50,000 | Your patron saint
  • Sister’s Private Rooms | $50,000 | Various Saints
  • Little Plant of St. Clare – Leaf | $1,000 | Your special intention
Donate Now