For the most part, ministries have a tendency of operating on an academic calendar whether they are a school, parish, retreat center, etc. Thus, vacation time and retreat time for most ministers is often the summer months. January is not too early to begin looking at the summer months to begin planning one’s vacation and yearly retreat.

I am focusing this blog on possible locations in California for making one’s yearly retreat, especially retreat experiences of making the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola.

CENTER FOR SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT, ORANGE, CA

Individuals may come to the Center for a quiet time away for a day, an overnight, several days or longer periods of time. Two week’s notice is required to schedule your retreat. Sessions with a spiritual director trained in Ignatian Spirituality may also be arranged, but require one month notice and are subject to availability. For information, please contact Ruth Terry at (714) 744-3175 ext. 4401 or e-mail rterry@csjorange.org or visit Center for Spiritual Development

JESUIT RETREAT CENTER, LOS ALTOS, CA

A Silent Retreat for Men and Women will be offered for men and women June 1-2, 2007. Various forms of Ignatian prayer will be used. Fr. Bernie Bush, SJ, and Sr. Anne Hennessy, CSJ, will serve as directors. For more information, visit Silent Retreat for Men and Women

The Thirty-Six Day Program is offered June 17- July 24, 2007. The program includes the making of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola with three days of preparation before the retreat and three days of integration following the retreat. The retreat includes: silence; daily Eucharist; daily individual retreat direction; a healing service and reconciliation service. For more information, visit Thirty-Six Day Program

Three Silent, Individually Directed Eight-Day Retreats are offered from June-July: June 21-30; July 1-10; July 11-20. Retreatants typically meet with their retreat director once a day and generally follow the structure of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola. For more information, visit Eight-Day Retreats

Individually directed retreats are also available. For more information visit Individually Directed Retreats

MARY AND JOSEPH RETREAT CENTER, PALOS VERDES, CA

A Guided-Directed retreat, based on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola, will be offered August 12-18, 2007. The retreat will include: a scripture based conference each morning; individual direction (a director will meet with you each day to guide you in your prayer and reflection.); celebration of daily Eucharist along with a mid-week Penance Liturgy. This retreat is offered in collaboration with Loyola Institute of Spirituality, Orange, CA. For information visit Extended Retreats

MATER DOLOROSA, SIERRA MADRE, CA

An Eight-day Guided-Directed Contemplative Retreat (Silent) is offered July 5-12, 2007 for priests, religious, deacons and wives, lay men and women. The theme of the retreat is “Say Yes to Life.” Cost is $500; rooms are air conditioned.

Preaching is inspired by the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. The presenters and spiritual directors are: Fr. Pat Brennan, CP, Sr. Judy Rinek, SNJM, Fr. Allan F. Deck, SJ, Fr. Dave Schwartz, SJ, Sr. Cecilia Canales, OP, Sr. Gretchen Hailer, RSHM, Sr. Christine Hilliard, CSJ, Sr. Anne Field, SSS, Sr. Marguerite McLoughlin, RSHM, Sr. Mary Milligan, RSHM, and Sr. JoAnn Tabor, CSJ.

For more information call 626-355-7188 for a registration brochure or visit Mater Dolorosa

SPIRITUAL MINISTRY, SAN DIEGO, CA

At our quiet four bedroom house, we offer short or long retreats, Ignatian retreats, and self-directed sabbaticals. Two short blocks from the Pacific Ocean and close to our parish church, our home-like living arrangement welcomes relaxation and prayer in a variety of beautiful places to explore. For more information, visit Spiritual Ministry

INDIVIDUALLY DIRECTED RETREATS

For a variety of reasons (scheduling conflicts, finances, family responsibilities, etc.), an individual is unable to make a retreat at an established retreat center. One option often overlooked is making an individually directed retreat while remaining at one’s home. Spiritual Directors are sometimes available to work out an arrangement for daily retreat direction with such an individual.

If you are in such a situation, please contact me and I would be happy to refer you to spiritual directors who might be available for such an arrangement.