JULY

CHOOSING TO LOVE THE WORLD:
THOMAS MERTON AND CONTEMPLATIVE LIVING
July 18-20
Registration - 7:00 p.m. (Eastern Time)

This retreat explores Merton's teaching that our everyday life is our spiritual life and that contemplative living is attention to our core relationships with ourselves, our neighbors, nature and the Source of all relationships - God. The retreat includes an introduction to a new eight-booklet resource for small group dialogue, "Bridges to Contemplative Living with Thomas Merton".

Presenter: Jonathan Montaldo
Mr. Montaldo, who presents Merton retreats internationally, is the
Associate Director of the Merton Institute for Contemplative Living in Louisville, Kentucky and the Director of Bethany Spring, the Merton Institute Retreat Center in Trappist, Kentucky.

Fee: $135 (includes a $40 non-refundable, non-transferable deposit)

August

HEALING THE FATHER AND MOTHER WOUND
August 29
10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. (Eastern Time)

Anthony De Mello often stated, "God has to love us at least as much as the person who has loved us the most." Unfortunately, the reverse is also felt in people's lives, that is we often feel that God doesn't love us where we were loved the least. We receive our sense of God's love - or the lack thereof - from our parents. This workshop will focus on healing our image of God and bringing about healing in the places where this image has been wounded. The process used will also help us to be ministers of healing in the lives of others.

Presenter: Fr. Matthew Linn, S.J.
Fr. Linn has authored numerous books and given retreats on healing themes internationally.

Fee: $45 (includes a $15 non-refundable, non-transferable deposit)

ENCOUNTERING THE REAL GOD WHO SETS US FREE
August 29 - 31
Registration - 7:00 p.m. (Eastern Time)

This retreat, based on the book, Understanding Difficult Scriptures in a Healing Way, will deal with how to interpret scripture so that we hear the real God of love rather than the shaming voice coming from our past or culture. To the degree we hear and trust God's love, we are freed from the shaming voice even within our most recalcitrant and deepest wounds. When we know the truth of scripture, we receive Jesus' promise,"You will know the truth and the truth will set you free." (Jn. 8:32)

Presenter: Fr. Matthew Linn, S.J.
Fr. Linn is an internationally known author and retreat director.

Fee: $135 (includes a $40 non-refundable, non-transferable deposit)

SEPTEMBER

KNITTING INTO THE MYSTERY:
A PRAYER SHAWL RETREAT
September 26-28
Registration - 7:00 p.m. (Eastern Time)

The practice of knitting (or crocheting, if you prefer) prayer shawls is a ministry begun by two women who prayed as they made shawls for those who were hurting, going through serious illnesses, etc. and then offered the shawl along with their prayers as a gift for them. The retreat has become popular around the world as women of various Christian denominations gather for this ministry. This hands-on retreat will provide suggestions for making and giving prayer shawls as well as types of praying that one can do in the process. Instructions for those who might need a "refresher" in knitting or crocheting will be given on Friday evening.

Presenters: Ginny Connelly and Sandra Henry of the So.Georgia Conference United Methodist Church, Lesley Cooper of the Alabama/West Florida Conference United Methodist Church and Sr. Gerry Whelan of the Retreat House team. .

Fee: $125 (includes a $40 non-refundable, non-transferable deposit)

October

ANNUAL ROSARY PILGRIMAGE TO THE GROTTO
October 5
4:00 - 6:00 p.m. (Eastern Time)

The annual rosary pilgrimage to the Grotto of Our Lady of Grace on the Retreat House grounds provides an opportunity to demonstrate our devotion to Mary and to pray for peace.  The program begins in the Retreat House Chapel at 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) and concludes with the Blessing of the Sick and Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament .  Refreshments to follow.

A SPIRITUALITY FOR THE COMMON FOLK
October 24-26
Registration - 7:00 p.m. (Eastern Time)

For too long we have sequestered a truth which needs to be made public.  Holiness is not about ignoring and rejecting human nature.  It is precisely about embracing fully and passionately who we are as creatures of a loving God.  This weekend we will focus our attention on who we are and who we have become in the process of knowing and loving God.  We will propose a kind of spirituality that goes beyond the call to stifle and curb the irksomeness of the human condition...all the while, enjoying the process of personal conversion.

Presenter: Fr. Domingo Rodriguez, S.T.
Fr. Domingo is a former Superior General of the Missionary Servants of the Most Holy Trinity and currently serves as their Procurator General as well as the International Spiritual Guide of the Missionary Cenacle Apostolate.

Fee: $150 (includes a $40 non-refundable, non-transferable deposit)

WORK WEEKEND
October 31 - November 2

Special weekend for those wishing to help with the many "chores" of the Retreat House, as well as sharing in prayer, fun and community.  Bring yard tools, old clothes, gloves, a truck if you have one.  Distribution of work assignments will be at 8:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) Friday evening .

Donation:   Hard Work!

November

DWELLING IN THE LORD'S PRAYER
November 14-16
Registration - 7:00 p.m. (Eastern Time)

The Lord's Prayer, the "Our Father", is at the center of Christian worship and the "Our" defines the attitude toward God into which Jesus invites us.  In this retreat, we will look reflectively at each of the statements and petitions of the Lord's Prayer and learn how to "live" in this prayer as our spiritual home.

Presenter:     Fr. Martin Iott, O.P.
Fr. Martin is a Dominican Friar of the Southern Province presently living in Adrian , Michigan at the Friends of God Dominican Ashram, a house of contemplative prayer .
He has served as full-time preacher of retreats and parish missions.

Fee:    $150 (includes a $40 non-refundable deposit)

December

ANNUAL BIBLE INSTITUTE
PRIEST, PROPHET AND KING
December 5 - 7
Registration - 7:00 p.m. (Eastern Time)

In keeping with the Bishops Synod in October 2008 , on The Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church , we will explore the biblical roots of the titles Priest, Prophet and King to deepen our understanding of Jesus as the true priest, prophet and king, and to discover how our own living out of these roles through our baptismal call has the potential for God to transform us and society.

Presenter: Sr. Mary Kay McDonald, M.S.B.T.
Sr. Mary Kay is a member of the Vocation/Formation Team of the Missionary Servants of the Most Blessed Trinity.  She received her M.A. in Religious Studies from St. Charles Seminary in Philadelphia, PA.

Fee:    $150 (includes a $40 non-refundable deposit)

January 2009

ANNUAL WOMEN'S RETREAT:
"WEAVINGS: NOTICING GOD-WITH-US ON OUR JOURNEYS"
January 23-25
Registration - 7:00 p.m. (Eastern Time)

In the stories of a few women, Julian of Norwich, Dorothy Day, Anne Morrow  Lindbergh and Etty Hillesum, we will notice God as Presence and Jesus as Light .  We will reflect on their words within the context of the Word of God.  There will be time to gather-up the threads of our own lives, weaving all into beauty.

Presenter:   Sr. Dorothy Welch, C.S.J.
Sr. Dorothy is a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Boston, Massachusetts and has a Masters Degree in Divinity.  She has spent many years in giving retreats and spiritual direction.

Fee:    $150 (includes a $40 non-refundable deposit)

February 2009

ANNUAL MEN'S RETREAT:
FOR "A BUNCH OF GUYS "
February 6 - 8
Registration - 7:00 p.m. (Eastern Time)

"Heaven - Heaven - Heaven!"  "Me, myself and...everyone."   "A walk in the woods."  "Silence."   These thoughts and more will swirl throughout the weekend retreat as men are provided an opportunity to make mental and spiritual adjustments in their pursuit of human and supernatural priorities.

Presenter:   Fr. Victor Seidel, S.T.
Fr. Victor is a Missionary Servant of the Most Holy Trinity and is presently located in Cuthbert , Georgia .  He is a veteran pastor with a rich background in multiple ministries.

Fee:    $150 (includes a $40 non-refundable deposit)

WORK WEEKEND
February 27 - 29

Special weekend for those wishing to help with the many "chores" of the Retreat House, as well as sharing in prayer, fun and community.  Bring yard tools, old clothes, gloves, a truck if you have one.  Distribution of work assignments will be at 8:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) Friday evening .

Donation:   Hard Work!

March 2009

DANCE OF THE CELTIC SPIRIT
March 13 - 15
Registration - 7:00 p.m. (Eastern Time)

Come celebrate St. Patrick's Day weekend with us as Carmel Boyle again invites us to pray with Celtic themes through song, reflection and gentle movement.  Led by the spirit of song, you will encounter the spirituality of the ancient Celts who were ever conscious of the immanence of God and who were described as a God-intoxicated people.  The Dance of the Celtic Spirit will be in the company of the Trinity, the angels and the saints.  Partners in the dance will include St. Brigid and St. Patrick, but the intimate companion - the music - is Christ.

Presenter:    Carmel Boyle, M.Min.
Carmel Boyle is a singer and songwriter who gives retreats, workshops and concerts throughout Ireland and the United States She is co-founder of An Croi , an holistic retreat center in Co. Meath, Ireland .

Fee:   $160 (includes a $40 non-refundable deposit )