About Eagle's Wings
Retreat Center

Eagle's Wings Retreat Center is a Christ-centered retreat center in the heart of the Texas Hill Country in Burnet, Texas for Catholic and Christian youth and their families. Serving churches and organizations from Austin, San Antonio, Belton, Waco, and all-over Central Texas, we have two campuses capable of serving over 225 people on retreat.

The Mission of Eagle's Wings Retreat Center is to enrich the lives of Catholic and other Christian youth and their families by providing a Christ-centered environment with retreats and facilities in a natural setting.

• To assist youth and families in developing a closer relationship with God.

• To promote Catholic and Christian values.

• To provide opportunities for personal growth and insights.

• To gain a greater appreciation for the environment.

• Our goal is to create an experience that encourages everyone to explore their faith, enhance their spirituality and encounter God in their environment and in each other.

Eagle’s Wings Retreat Center (EWRC) is one hundred twenty acres of rugged hill country located in Burnet County near Lake Buchanan. The strategically placed limestone buildings blend with the landscape of tree-covered granite and sandstone uplifts. EWRC is dedicated to serving Catholic and other youth with the goal of developing their leadership skills to help them navigate societal trials with Christian morals. It is independently operated by a Board of Directors as a Texas nonprofit corporation with a 501(c)(3) status as a public charity.

The acreage was purchased and donated by Curt and Katie Haffner in 2003 with the intention of establishing a Catholic retreat center for the youth of Central Texas. They were joined by Joe Noonan who shared their same vision. Together they began to look for people of like interest to begin the planning phase. Their advisor, Msgr. Elmer Holtman, suggested bringing on Don Collier as a Project Manager to develop a Master Plan. Archbishop Gregory Aymond blessed the Center in 2004.

The first facility, Eagle’s Nest, was completed in 2005 and was built totally by volunteers both youth and adult. Soon afterwards a pro bono architect and engineers were being directed by Don Collier who volunteered his time and engineering talents as project manager. Interest in the project of a youth center gained momentum as contractors began to volunteer their services and materials to install the infrastructure. 

The second phase of construction including the Dining Hall, 2 Dorms, the clergy house and the Maintenance building were completed in September of 2009, just a day before the first retreat was scheduled. 

The 3rd building phase consisting of 2 more dorms, the Sports Pavilion with a meeting space, and the new chapel. Bishop John McCarthy blessed the Holy Spirit Chapel on January 29, 2012.  

Our most recent building phase included the construction of The Lodge on the Nest Campus, along with renovations of the Dining Hall. We hosted the first retreat in the new structure the first weekend of September 2018.

Countless volunteers, generous contractors, and our benefactors have made this dream come true, and God continues to lead our founders and our Board of Directors.

Eagle's Wings has 14 buildings on 2 campuses. Numerous Eagle Scout projects and 1 Gold Award Project have added to the infrastructure and ambience. 

We celebrated 20 years of Eagle's Wings in 2024. God is good and people are caring and generous.