A silent directed retreat provides an opportunity for individuals to spend dedicated time with God and is a rich means of being open to God’s grace and love. Unlike a conference or guided retreat, there are not group sessions or daily presentations. Instead, the ‘content’ of the retreat is your own ongoing relationship with God. Individuals meet daily with a spiritual director, whose aim is to collaborate with the work of the Spirit as together you reflect on God’s presence and movement in your life. Spiritual directors may make suggestions related to your conversations (prayer forms, Scripture, reading materials, quotes, questions, wonderings) to support and deepen your experience and awareness of God with you. The rhythm of the day is decided by each individual and may include walks, reading, writing, art-making, mindful movement, liturgy, etc. The Retreat Center affords plenty of places and spaces for prayer, with beauty abounding. We come to directed retreats as individuals and as part of a community of others who are also seeking and listening. This spiritual community joins you in silence, offering support by being prayerfully aware of all the individual journeys, gifts, and needs to which God is attending.
Begin the new year by focusing on your path ahead and tuning into God’s voice. Our winter directed retreat consists of five 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.
Aside from the introductory session and your daily spiritual direction meetings, you will be on your own to experience a week of personal reflection. Mass will be available daily, except for Saturday. Guided by Sr. Bernadette Claps and Joanne Cahoon.
This is a silent retreat. Check-in begins at 4pm. There will be a brief welcome session at 5pm, followed by dinner at 6pm. The retreat begins after dinner at 7pm on Friday and concludes after lunch on Thursday.
Please indicate your preference for a spiritual director in the “Special Needs” part of the online registration form.
To register for the 3-Night Directed Retreat option instead, please click here.
Sr. Bernadette Claps, MSW is a Sister of Bon Secours and provides spiritual direction and spiritual companionship at the Bon Secours Retreat & Conference Center. She holds graduate certificates in Spiritual Direction, Spirituality, and Aging. She has done graduate studies in theology and received a Master of Social Work from New York University.
Joanne 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 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. She finds it a privilege to be involved in spiritual and human formation — bringing deep listening, presence, creativity, and a commitment to her own ongoing formation to her work.