Auriesville retreat house sold – I’ve never been there, but Michael did a 30-day retreat there years ago. The Jesuits will keep the shrine, of course..

Colonial-era Jesuit missionaries laid the groundwork for converting the Mohawks to Christianity at Auriesville. It was also the birthplace in 1656 of Kateri Tekakwitha, the "Lily of the Mohawks," who devoted her life to Christianity. Since Pope John Paul II elevated her to the ranks of "blessed" in 1980, she has been a step away from becoming the first Native American woman to achieve sainthood.

The building, located in the northeast corner of the 600-acre property, was constructed in 1938 to serve as the Province Tertianship — the final year of seminary training for Jesuit priests. It was converted into a retreat for priests and nuns in 1972 and has been vacant since 1998 when the retreat program was discontinued because of declining interest.

The building is the first purchased by the all-volunteer American Sports Committee, which will use it to "promote various kinds of sports and exercise programs that will enhance personal health through a holistic approach," according to Jennie Wong, a coordinator with the three-year-old company.

The new American religion takes its place…