San Alfonso Retreat House: Where God and Sea Come Together

Good news! Our 2026 schedule of retreats and programs is now available and open for registration.

Visit our 2026 Events page for more info.

We look forward to seeing you!

Fr. John McGowan, C.Ss.R. 1936 - 2026

It's with a heavy heart that we announce that Fr. John McGowan, C.Ss.R. passed peacefully into eternal life on Friday, September 18th at the St. John Neumann Residence in Timonium, Maryland with his Redemptorist brothers gathered in prayer around him.

Fr. John ministered here at San Alfonso for close to 30 years. We cannot even begin to imagine how many lives he touched, how many souls were nourished by his prayer and preaching, how many times he brought joy and laughter to those in his presence. Just the sound of his warm, loud, and cheerful greeting instantly made you feel welcomed and at home.

What an extraordinary gift he has been to our Redemptorist community, our staff, and so many retreatants who walked through the doors of this retreat house.

We thank God for Fr. John's presence and ministry in his almost 70 years as a Redemptorist. He surely has received a loud, warm, and cheerful welcome into eternal life!

The funeral services for Father John are as follows:

Tuesday, September 22, 2026

Wake and Visitation

San Alfonso Retreat House

755 Ocean Avenue

Long Branch, NJ 07740

4:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Prayer Service at 7:30 PM

Wednesday, September 23, 2026

Visitation

San Alfonso Retreat House

755 Ocean Avenue

Long Branch, NJ 07740

9:00 - 9:45 AM

Mass of Christian Burial

Saint Michael's Church

800 Ocean Avenue

Long Branch, NJ 07740

10:30 AM Mass

Click Here for more information!

An Invitation from Fr. Anthony

The Beatitudes:

A Call to Holy, Humble Discipleship -

In Christ

Led by Fr. Anthony Michalik, C.Ss.R.

(as seen on CatholicTV!)

SEPTEMBER 25 - 27

Cost: $325

Note: This retreat is open to all; women and men, clergy and religious sisters

Click here for a retreat flyer!

Register Online

BEATITUDES RETREAT PAY ONLY

Join us October 13 for a special retreat day for Caregivers!

Register Here!

Printable Form (PDF)

We want to thank all those who came to celebrate our 100th Anniversary with us on September 20!!

To see a live-stream of the Anniversary Mass, please visit St. Michael's Church YouTube page to watch it live HERE!

We're ever grateful for all those who helped make our 100th Anniversary Gala on November 15th a fitting honor as we celebrate a century of service at San Alfonso. Your generosity will help continue the great ministry here on this holy ground for years to come. To see our commemorative ad journal, click here.

Ad Multos Annos!

Daily Mass Readings

SEP

20

Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

By:

USCCB

Reading 1 Isaiah 55:6-9 Seek the LORD while he may be found,call him while he is near.Let the scoundrel forsake his way,and the wicked his thoughts;let him turn to the LORD for mercy;to our God, who is generous in forgiving.For my thoughts are not your thoughts,nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD.As high as the heavens are above the earth,so high are my ways above your waysand my thoughts above your thoughts. Responsorial Psalm Psalm 145:2-3, 8-9, 17-18 R. (18a) The Lord is near to all who call upon him.Every day will I bless you,and I will praise your name forever and ever.Great is the LORD and highly to be praised;his greatness is unsearchable.R. The Lord is near to all who call upon him.The LORD is gracious and merciful,slow to anger and of great kindness.The LORD is good to alland compassionate toward all his works.R. The Lord is near to all who call upon him.The LORD is just in all his waysand holy in all his works.The LORD is near to

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