Our August directed retreat consists of five whole days (6-night stay) of spiritual direction. Retreatants will meet with a spiritual director daily (or less if you desire) to reflect on God’s Presence and movement in your life as revealed in prayer, the events and relationships in your life and the response to God that is being made. The spiritual director may make suggestions (prayer forms, Scripture, reading materials, etc…) to support and deepen your awareness of and response to God. You will have this week of quiet and peace for personal reflection at our Center and around our beautiful grounds. Mass will be offered daily. Check-in begins at 4pm on Sunday and the the retreat will begin after dinner.
This is a silent retreat with spiritual directors Sr. Ann Belmonte, Joanne Cahoon, Fr. Phil Cover, Sr. Jo-Ann Flora, and Linda Mastro. If you have a preference, please indicate it within the ‘special needs’ section of the registration form.
Sr. Ann Belmonte is a Dominican Sister of Hope and former elementary school teacher who has ministered for the past 33 years as a Pastoral Associate in West Virginia and Virginia. She now uses her gifts as a spiritual director and a leader of Days of Reflection and study. She has a bachelor’s degree in Elementary and Special Education from Mount St. Mary’s College, a master’s degree in Elementary and Early Childhood Education from Hunter College and also a master’s degree in Pastoral Studies from Loyola University. Her ongoing formation includes workshops in spirituality, sacred scripture, hospice care, caregiving and issues of justice and peace.
Joanne M. Cahoon, D.Min. holds a bachelor’s degree in Religious Studies, master’s degree in Religion/Pastoral Ministry, graduate certificates in spiritual direction and in spirituality studies, and a Doctor of Ministry degree from the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, where her specialization was spirituality and practical theology. Along the way, Joanne has also taught in elementary, secondary, undergraduate, and graduate school settings. She has also served as youth minister, high school campus minister, consultant, writer, national trainer, diocesan staff member, staff member of a graduate school, spiritual director, facilitator of retreats and professional coach. Joanne has welcomed and worked with many individuals and groups, serving them as they listen for God’s invitations in their personal and corporate lives.
Fr. Phillip Cover is an experienced retreat leader, spiritual director, pilgrimage leader and author. He previously served as the Assistant Executive Director in the Department of Religious Education for the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA) in Washington, DC. He also served as an adjunct staff member for the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation. He is co-author of Journey with Purpose, Through Exile into the Heart of God and The Inner Work of Lent.
Sister Jo-Ann Flora, a native Philadelphian, is a Sister of Notre Dame de Namur and resides in the Washington DC area, where she serves as a spiritual director, meeting individuals in person and on Zoom, and is a retreat director. Originally trained by the New York Jesuits as a director of the Spiritual Exercises, she has engaged in this ministry for forty-three years in many spirituality centers, parishes and schools. She is also a certified Music Imagery (MI) facilitator and Reiki Master. She has been active with Notre Dame de Namur Associates for thirty years. She holds a master’s degree from Georgetown University and a doctoral degree from the University of California.
Linda Mastro is a graduate of the Bon Secours Spiritual Direction Institute in Marriottsville, Maryland, where she also serves as a faculty member. In addition to being an Associate of Bon Secours, Linda is a spiritual companion for individuals and groups and brings a spirit of compassion and light-heartedness to her work as a women’s retreat facilitator, pilgrimage leader, and workshop guide. Linda is co-author of the book Petite Retreats: Renewing Body, Mind, and Spirit Without Leaving Home. Learn more about Linda and her ministry at livingpilgrimage.com.