Previous Special Retreats


JANUARY 2005

7-9 Suffering: From Curse to Blessing
• On our own, suffering either makes us into bitter, demoralized persons, or cold proud stoics. Through Jesus' love, our suffering can become the most precious gift, transforming us into living flames of Love in all moments of our lives - even in the worst trials. Learn the simple secret of Abbot James Fox. He frequently encouraged the monks with the words: "All for Jesus through Mary with a smile." Therin lies a secret power to transform your whole world, even THE whole world.
Fr. Gerard and Brother Michael.
21-23 Advanced Centering Prayer Retreat
• Some of the riches of Centering Prayer that can unfold over the years.
Rev. Cynthia Bourgeault, author of Centering Prayer and Inner Awakening.

FEBRUARY 2005

25-27 Fundamentals of Yoga and Christianity
• For those new to Yoga this will be a chance to learn how Yoga can compliment the Christian in their life of prayer and meditation.
Fr. Tom Francis with hatha yoga instructors Br. Chaminade and Scott Hodgman

MARCH 2005

4-6 Spiritual Implications of the Incarnation
• We will explore the mystery, meaning and implications of God becoming flesh, ‘one like us in all things but never sinning.’
Abbot Francis Michael, Fr. James and Fr. Matt
18-20 Vocation Discernment Retreat
Br. Michael
24-27 Sacred Triduum Retreat
• This retreat helps you to enter into the powerful events that are the very foundation of our lives as Christians.
Fr. Gerard, Fr. Anthony, and Fr. Tom Francis
 
APRIL 2005

1-3 Trappist/Cistercian Spirituality for the Laity, on Humility

• Discover the importance of humility in Cistercian and all Christian life and some of its practical applications.
Fr. Anthony and Br. Chaminade
15-17 Centering Prayer Retreat
• Learning to let yourself simply be with God in loving silence.
Fr.Tom Francis, Fr. Gerard, and Br. Michael
22-24 Thomas Merton for Today
• Merton's prophetic voice speaks to post-modern humanity!
Fr. Tom Francis, Fr. Matt, Fr. Anthony, Fr. James, and Dr. Victor Kramer
MAY 2005
6-8 Young adult retreat (ages 18-30)
• Discovering the God alive in each moment.
Br. Michael, Br. Chaminade, Fr.Matt, and Fr. James
9-12 Senior Citizen Retreat
• The autumn of years, the time when the greatest riches of life can unfold.
Fr. Anthony, Fr. Tom Francis, and Fr. James
27-29 Anger, Resentment, and Forgiveness
• Owning our anger and resentment and so discovering the power to forgive in Christ Jesus.
Abbot Francis Michael and Fr. Anthony
JUNE 2005
3-5 Christ’s Mystical Body
• Pondering the mystery of Jesus' mystical Body and His desire that we be one body and one spirit in Him. Learning to cherish and support diversity in unity.
Abbot Francis Michael and Fr. James
17-19 Centering Prayer Retreat
• Learning to let yourself simply be with God in loving silence.
Fr. Tom Francis, Fr. Gerard, and Br. Michael
JULY 2005
1-3 Vatican II on Interpreting Scripture
• Retreat exploring themes on interpreting scripture from Vatican II.
Fr. Tom Francis
8-10 St. Benedict’s Rule for Today, Tools of Good Works
• St. Benedict Challenges us to conversion and balance in all areas of our lives.
Fr. Gerard and Fr. Anthony
15-17 Hispanic Young Adult Retreat: Retiro Juvenil Espiritual Contemplativo! (ages 18-30)
• “El que reflexiona y medita en los hechos tendra exito.” Proverbios 16:20 Tendras tiempo para meditar y contemplar en un ambiente de tranquilidad que te llevara a tener un encuentro personal con Dios.
Padre Roberto Orellano
29-31 11th Step Retreat
• Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power (grace) to carry that out.
Br. Michael and Fr. Gerard
AUGUST 2005
1-4 Praying with the Scriptures
• Learning to allow God to speak to our hearts and change our lives through the scriptures.
Fr. Gerard, Fr. Tom Francis, Fr. Anthony, and Br. Michael
5-7 Trappist/Cistercian Spirituality for the Laity
• Discover the importance of humility in Cistercian and all Christian life and some of its practical applications.
Fr. Anthony, Abbot Francis Michael, and Lay Cistercians
8-11 Vocation Discernment Retreat
Br. Michael
12-14 Retreat on Mary the Mother of Jesus
• This retreat will use the Cistercian Fathers and Mothers to ponder Mary's relationship with Jesus and with us.
Fr. Anthony, Fr. Tom Francis, and Fr. Gerard
15-18 Senior Citizen Retreat
• Description goes here.
Fr. Anthony, Fr. Tom Francis, and Fr. James
26-28 Hispanic Young Adult Retreat (ages 18-30)
• Description goes here.
Fr. Roberto Orellano
SEPTEMBER 2005
2-4 Praying the Psalms Retreat
• Discovering that these ancient prayers can speak to the hearts of post-modern people.
Fr. Tom Francis
9-11 Prayer and the Image of God
• Discovering and exploring our images of god and how they affect our prayer.
Abbot Francis Michael and Fr. Anthony
30-Oct.2 Centering Prayer Retreat
• Learning to let yourself simply be with God in loving silence.
Fr. Tom Francis, Fr. Gerard and Br. Michael
OCTOBER 2005
7-9 Conversion
• Ever opening ourselves to a new and deeper relationship with God and others.
Fr. James
28-30 St. John’s Gospel
• Using selected passages from the Gospel of John to enhance our Christian Life. We will explore some themes and images that are still able to energize and motivate contemporary culture.
Fr. Tom Francis
NOVEMBER 2005
10-13 Spanish Ignatian Retreat
• To rediscover and to embrace our God-given identity is, indeed, to begin our return to the Father as gifted givers. Come and join us in our journey away from the falsehood of androgyny, to the beauty and wholesomeness of the Father’s house; this is true conversion!
Fr. Omar Huesca
18-20 Praying with the Scriptures
• Learning to allow God to speak to our hearts and change our lives through the scriptures.
Fr. Gerard, Fr. Tom Francis, Fr. Anthony, and Br. Michael
18-20 Vocation Discernment Retreat
Br. Michael
25-27 Monastic Desert Fathers for Practical Christians
• Lessons on learning how to love from the Desert Father and Mothers.
Abbot Francis Michael and Fr. Tom Francis
DECEMBER 2005
2-4 Yoga and Contemplation
• For those experienced in Yoga this will be an in-depth exploration into the philosophy and practice of yoga and Christian mysticism, and where they converge in the life of the Christian.
Fr. Tom Francis with hatha yoga instructors Br. Chaminade and Scott Hodgman
5-8 Senior Citizen Retreat
• The autumn of years, the time when the greatest riches of life can unfold.
Fr. Anthony, Fr. Tom Francis, and Fr. James
9-11 11th Step Retreat
• Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power (grace) to carry that out.
Br. Michael and Fr. Gerard