Ignatian Silent Retreats - Bellarmine Jesuit Retreat House

Meet the Bellarmine Ministry Team
FR. PAUL MACKE, SJ, is executive
director of Bellarmine Jesuit Retreat
House. He is well-experienced in retreat
ministry, having served in pastoral
ministry in Alaska for 17 years, including
six years as executive director of Holy
Spirit Retreat Center in Anchorage, AK.
Following his years in Alaska, he was
appointed Secretary for Pastoral Ministries and Jesuit Life for
the Jesuit Conference of the United States in Washington, DC.
In that role he worked to promote the ministry of the Spiritual
Exercises in the 28 retreat houses and 100 parishes of the
Society of Jesus in the U.S. He holds an MA in counseling and
DMin in pastoral psychotherapy.
FR. JAMES GSCHWEND, SJ, is a
member of Bellarmine’s resident staff. His
background includes admin positions in
Jesuit high schools, working at Community
Mental Health in San Francisco, and serving
as Director of Spirituality in the sabbatical
program at the School of Applied Theology
in Oakland and Berkeley, CA. Following a
fellowship year on the clinical staff at the Southdown Institute
in Canada, he served the Chicago Jesuit Provincial as assistant
for personnel.
MARY MCKEON, is a member of
Bellarmine’s ministry staff. Originally from
Quincy, IL Mary is a graduate of Marquette
University in Milwaukee, WI. She taught
school in Milwaukee’s inner city before
moving to Washington, DC, to work for
the United States Senate. Mary and her
late husband, David, have a daughter,
Catherine, and two grandsons who are the
joy of her life. Mary received her training as a spiritual director
at the Jesuits’ Manresa Retreat House in Bloomfield Hills, MI,
where she was a staff member for several years before joining
the staff here at Bellarmine.
FR. ROBERT FLACK, SJ, is a member
of Bellarmine’s resident staff, after serving
for several years in the regional office of
the Chicago Jesuits. Many will remember
that prior to 2012, Fr. Flack was the
administrator of Bellarmine Jesuit Retreat
House. We are pleased to have him back on
the Bellarmine team. Fr. Flack entered the
Jesuits in 1983, after several years as a priest of the Archdiocese
of Chicago. As a Jesuit he has been a pastor on the Rosebud
reservation in South Dakota, taught demography at St. Louis
University in Cincinnati, OH and directed retreats at the Jesuit
Center for Spiritual Growth in Wernersville, PA.
FR. RICK MCGURN, SJ, is a member of
Bellarmine’s resident staff. He has been
an associate pastor at Jesuit parishes in
Chicago and Cincinnati, and directed the
training program for spiritual directors at
the Jesuit Retreat House in Cincinnati. He
has been the Socius – executive assistant –
to the Provincial of the Chicago Province
Jesuits, as well as the Provincial’s Assistant
for Formation, overseeing the studies of men preparing for
ordination and ministry. Just prior to coming to Bellarmine he
was superior of the Jesuit community at Loyola Academy, the
Jesuit high school in Wilmette, IL.
FR. MICHAEL SPAROUGH, SJ, is a
member of Bellarmine’s resident staff. He
holds an MFA from the Yale School of
Drama and a DMin from St Mary of the
Lake in Mundelein, IL. He is the founder
of Charis Ministries, the Jesuit retreat
ministry to young adults in their 20s and
30s, and has trained spiritual directors
at Loyola University Chicago. A prolific writer and speaker,
his latest book What’s Your Decision? is published by
Loyola Press (see pg 6 for an excerpt on decision making).
Fr. Michael blogs at jmsparough.wordpress.com
Mission & Ministry
At Bellarmine Jesuit Retreat House, we serve the spiritual needs of Catholics
and all people of faith. Our ministry offerings include:
• Silent Weekend Retreats that begin on Thursday or Friday
• Bill W Recovery & Al-Anon Weekend Retreats
• Individually Directed Retreats in June and July (5 to 8 days)
• Single Day and Evening Spirituality Programs
• Single Day Retreats for Veterans and their Families
• Regular Spiritual Direction with a Priest or Lay Director
Your faith-based group is encouraged to use our facility for Kairos retreats,
ministry team retreats, parish retreats, or days of prayer and reflection.
The hallmark of your time at Bellarmine is our peaceful atmosphere and sacred
spaces which are nurtured to help bring you closer to God.
The Ignatian Silent Retreat
While we offer many programs to fit your spiritual needs, our primary ministry
is the Ignatian Silent Retreat. Each preached retreat follows a basic pattern:
The retreat is led (or given) by the Retreat Master who prepares eight talks
based on The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola. Between each talk are
times for personal prayer and reflection. Optional activities include:
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Private Prayer & Journaling
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
The Stations of the Cross
Praying the Rosary
Walking the Grounds and Gardens
Consulting with a Spiritual Director
Most weekend retreats begin Friday evening with dinner and conclude on
Sunday after lunch. For those in need of some extra retreat time, the 4-day
retreats begin Thursday evening, offering an extra day in the quiet.
Table of Contents
The Gauge of a Good Retreat by Fr. Paul Macke, SJ 2
Captain’s Profile with Peggy Arizzi 3
Give the Gift of Retreat by Erin Maiorca 4
5
Listening in Silence by Fr. Rick McGurn, SJ 6, 11
What’s Your Decision? An Ignatian Approach 7
Thoughts from New Retreatants by Mary McKeon Retreat and Program Schedule 8-9
Retreat Costs and Funding Options 10
12-15
Retreat Master Biographies 16
Retreat/Program Registration Form St. Ignatius Loyola was born
in 1491, one of 13 children of a
family of minor nobility in northern
Spain. As a young man, Ignatius
was inflamed by the ideals of
courtly love and knighthood and
dreamed of doing great deeds.
In 1521 Ignatius was gravely
wounded in a battle with the
French. While recuperating and
reading about the lives of Jesus
and the saints he experienced a
conversion. He was happy and
had a desire to do great things
for the glory of God.
Over the years, Ignatius became
expert in the art of Spiritual
Direction. His insights, prayers,
and suggestions are collected in
his book, The Spiritual Exercises,
one of the most influential works
on spiritual life ever written.
With a small group of friends,
Ignatius Loyola founded the
Society of Jesus, or the Jesuits.
Ignatius conceived the Jesuits
as “contemplatives in action.”
This also describes the many
Christians who have been
touched by Ignatian Spirituality.
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The Gauge of a Good Retreat, Fr. Paul Macke, SJ
means carrying a little piece of our
retreat with us each day.
The Examen of Consciousness
1.Become aware of God’s presence.
2.Review the day with gratitude.
3.Pay attention to your emotions.
4.Pray from one feature of the day.
5.Look toward tomorrow.
As I review this day, or the last few
hours of life after the retreat ended,
do I experience joy, delight, energy,
A Retreatant Re-enters the busy world of life on Lake Cook Rd
and love? If yes, this is usually a sign
A key sentence in the Bellarmine Many retreatants remind me that
of the Holy Spirit’s presence. It is
Jesuit Retreat House vision statement this is their tenth, twentieth, or
important that the gifts of the Holy
is: “So that they may leave the retreat even fiftieth retreat, but the number
Spirit—found in the simple joys of
house to reinsert themselves in the of retreats you have attended does
life—never be taken for granted.
world of today and be the presence not indicate their effectiveness. My
of the Heart of Christ in building the antenna go up when I hear: “You We give God thanks. We live grateful
know Father, I got home from the lives and that is very attractive to
Kingdom—so all may be one.”
retreat and my spouse kids said to those around us—it helps lead them
We live day to day immersed in
me: ‘You should go on more of those.’” to Jesus. At times our daily Examen
worldly concerns with our families,
may uncover fears, lack of energy,
friends, colleagues, and even those When those closest to us see positive
agitation, anger, or restlessness.
whom we have difficulty loving. On differences in how we live and act,
These desolations are usually signs of
each retreat we ask for the grace to that is the gauge of a good retreat.
the evil spirit or sinful temptations.
be free from anything that might A retreat gives us the space and
We ask the Holy Spirit to heal us of
prevent us from responding to God’s time needed for rest; to catch up
what causes them.
call. Some of these obstacles might on sleep and slow down enough to
be sin or addictions such as alcohol, face ourselves and Jesus so that this Then, at the end of your retreat, pray
drugs, over-eating, or pornography.
“freedom from” and “freedom for” that God bless you and your fellow
retreatants, with a peaceful transition
On retreat, we need to be freed from can be possible. Some retreatants
experience peace and tranquility on and reinsertion to the worldly
the values of this world—excessive
concerns so briefly set aside. The
work and concern for money and retreat; others are restless and battle
true gauge of a good retreat is not the
possessions—so that we can be open their demons the whole time. The
eloquence of the retreat master, or the
to the values of Jesus. Occasionally we real gauge of whether a retreat was
tastiness of the food, or the view from
are prevented from spiritual growth successful or not isn’t what happens
on the retreat itself, but depends on your room, but is the embrace of the
by psychological barriers: anxiety,
Holy Spirit that guides you through
fear or depression. We need the grace how I reinsert myself into the world
the trials and
of concerns and struggles.
of freedom to positively follow Jesus
tribulations of
on His Way. Freedom is not simply A simple prayer from St. Ignatius—
life until you
a negative “freedom from,” but the Examen of Consciousness (or
can once again
involves the positive “freedom for” to simply the Examen, for short)—can
enter into the
wholeheartedly love God, ourselves, be a daily tool to help each of us
silence.
and the others we encounter in life. balance worldly needs with God’s
needs; to remember that reinsertion
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Captain’s Profile with Peggy Arizzi
A recurring feature for the Program Guide is a conversation with a Retreat Captain. In this
issue, we hear from Peggy Arizzi, whose retreat group is called: Meet Me In The Silence
Peggy, what first brought
you to Bellarmine?
I was first invited to Bellarmine for
a private day of prayer by a Jesuit
I met when my mom’s health was
declining. I lived out of state at
the time and was scheduled to fly back for Mother’s Day.
Unfortunately, my mom died before Mother’s Day, so the
Day of Prayer that weekend brought me great comfort and
was a first step towards healing from my grief and loss.
Did you have any reservations about becoming a
Retreat Captain?
Do you have a favorite “spiritual” destination
around our facilities and grounds?
As I drive onto the Bellarmine grounds it is like arriving
at my “home away from home;” the perfect environment
for personal and spiritual discovery. As with any other
journey, there are so many wonderful destinations at
Bellarmine—both indoors and outdoors— that it’s hard to
choose just one favorite spiritual destination. I like to begin
each morning with a walk in the garden and a visit with
our Blessed Mother no matter what the weather. Recently,
my favorite places to pray have been in the Sacred Heart
Chapel in front of the Holy Family portrait and in the
Gazebo Shrine of St. Joseph.
I volunteered to be a captain after one of my first retreats and
yes, I had reservations. I was very new to the retreat experience
and to Bellarmine. I had just moved to the community and
did not think I would be very helpful serving as a Captain.
My first Captain’s meeting and subsequent contact with the
staff put all my reservations at ease. There is always someone
to answer my questions, run an idea past and provide all
the materials and moral support I need. I continue to learn
from other Captains and enjoy the opportunities to exchange
ideas and experiences when we gather at the annual Captain’s
Meeting in the Spring.
What do you tell a new person when first inviting
him or her on retreat?
That the food is delicious! Seriously, I always begin by
explaining that the retreat is a silent retreat rooted in the
Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius and explain what to expect
regarding the structure of the weekend. I explain that it is a
time and place where you can be alone with God and encounter
Him in prayer, reflection and contemplation—in the beauty of
nature, in the serenity of the retreat house, in the Sacraments,
in the silence that surrounds you, and in your heart.
And what if someone still has objections?
I respond that many first-time retreatants experience
hesitancy about the silence and assure them that all they have
to do is show up and God will do the rest. I tell them that the
silence is a true gift, and that they deserve it. I ask them to
imagine what it would be like to have a break from the stress
and responsibilities of their daily routines—a time to rest,
reflect and experience absolute peace and solitude in a warm
and welcoming environment.
The Gazebo Shrine of St. Joseph, Patron of Families
Do you have any final thoughts on the
Bellarmine experience to share?
There are such a variety of retreats and programs to choose
from each year. I’m happy to see the emphasis on women’s
ministry, outreach to our Latino brothers and sisters,
veterans, and even the homeless; something for everyone!
Moreover, each person’s experience of God is unique to him
or her. God knows what each of us needs when we show
up. Not only are we comforted and consoled, but God also
challenges us. I am reminded of a quote from Fr. Jim Willig:
“When I got quieter, God got louder.” I have used this line to
help differentiate between my voice and God’s voice while
on retreat, and you know what, it really does help!
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Give the Gift of Retreat by Erin Maiorca
We frequently hear that a major
obstacle to making a retreat is finding
the time to get away when so many
professional and family obligations
come first. Will you consider making
time and giving encouragement to
your spouse to come on retreat this
coming 2015-16 season?
We have had more than one instance
this past year where the whole family
came to drop mom or dad off for a of a retreat you are really giving the
weekend retreat! It is a joy to see the spiritual gifts of:
strength and commitment that these
spouses have to one another—and
peace & solitude;
their faith—that they can sacrifice
rest & contemplation;
precious weekend time together
support & guidance.
for the other’s spiritual growth and
This enables a deeper and more
renewal.
fulfilling:
Sometimes we struggle to articulate
how that spiritual growth and renwal
time to pray;
happens on a silent retreat. You may
connection with Jesus;
remember the graces you received
silence of worldly distractions.
on your last retreat, but sometimes
the feelings are fleeting and even the Which provides the most important
day after a retreat it might be hard to and meaningful gift of all:
recall how God was communicating
awareness of God’s ever present
to you.
So remember, when you give the gift
love and grace in our lives.
There are many ways we can bless
others by using what God has given
us. I encourage you to offer the gift
of time in the quiet to a loved one or
friend.
Peggy reminded us in her Captain’s
Profile of a quote from Fr. Jim Willig:
“When I got quieter, God got louder.”
We can also take this a step further
by realizing that when God gets
louder it is not only easier to know
God’s will for us, but it is also easier
to trust what we hear. Pope Francis
encourages us to, “entrust ourselves
to Jesus, let us give ourselves to Him.”
Entrust your loved one to Jesus with
a retreat. You won’t regret it!
a Retreat for Fathers & Sons
All fathers and their sons are invited to a retreat with Fr. Patrick McGrath, SJ (right) on
August 7-9, 2015 or with Mr. Keith Maczkiewicz, SJ on April 15-16, 2016. This is a great
opportunity to bring your son—aged 16 or older—to experience the grace of a weekend
retreat!
Whether you are a father who has
attended many retreats in the past, or
a son, or group of brothers and you
encourage your father to attend with
you, the retreat promises to be a time
of deepening your relationships with each other and with God!
To learn more about Fr. Patrick McGrath, SJ or Mr. Keith
Maczkiewicz, SJ, check out their respective biographies on
page 14.
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Listening in Silence by Fr. Rick McGurn, SJ
In an early scene from Into Great
Silence, a documentary of life in
a Catholic monastery, the camera
focuses in on a solitary monk sitting
in his chair in a quiet room. His
eyes are closed. Minutes pass by. He
hardly moves, yet it is evident that
he is very much awake. What is he
doing? He’s listening.
for God to “show up.” Only
after long practice do we realize
God is already here, awaiting
us, yearning to answer our
heart’s desire. For this reason,
St. Ignatius Loyola says: begin
prayer by first considering that
“God our Lord beholds me”—
that is, beholds me with love.
The
public
world,
too
preoccupied with its own
concerns and crises, has largely
forgotten God, and so thinks
that God has forgotten us and
has withdrawn into a cold
stellar distance. St. Teresa of
Avila, on the contrary, in her
As the scene ends, and the monk
commentary on the Our Father,
stirs, we quickly ask, “to whom was he
says: “All the harm comes from
listening, and what was he hearing?”
not truly understanding that
He was hearing the Father’s living
He is near, but in imagining One of many places to find solitude at Bellarmine.
Word, the one whose presence is
Him as far away…If you listen,
itself the message of hope, truth, and
our mortality; but it also means that
remember that you are going to hear
new life: “This is my beloved Son, in
new life can arrive from a benevolent
One who is very close to you when
whom I am well pleased. Listen to
Source beyond us.
He speaks.”
him” (Matthew 17:5).
What are the dispositions we need for
How shall we listen? The first
We think prayer begins with our
listening? There are two. The first is
requirement is solitude. Even today
questions, our yearning, our hoping
what St. Ignatius calls “indifference,”
in a busy world, there are
that is, the freedom not to be coerced
spaces for solitude, where no
by our own disordered desires, so as
noise intrudes: riding alone in
to be able to listen to God. The other
a car with the radio off; sitting
is the willingness to wait for God to
in front of the fireplace in the
disclose Himself to us. But in a time
evening; standing outdoors
of waiting, other voices may clamor
to look up at the night sky;
for attention: voices of fear, anger,
listening to snow fall; allowing
self-criticism, and hopelessness—
silence to surround you.
all saying: “there’s no time to pray,
Kathleen Norris, in her book,
and no reason to hope.” We need
Amazing Grace, recounts an
perseverance to endure and quell
exercise she did with a group of
these voices.
fifth graders, asking them all to
be very still, and to let silence That is why Jesus so often says, “Do
envelop their classroom. They not be afraid,” and sends the Holy
were fascinated by this; and one Spirit to calm our anxious souls. At
boy said, “It’s like we’re waiting Bellarmine, the primary purpose of
for something—it’s scary!” our retreats is to help each person
Waiting is indeed “scary,” enter that encounter, and delve into
because it brings awareness of the quiet to hear God’s living Word.
“Be still, and know that I am God”
(Ps. 46:11). The Catechism of the
Catholic Church teaches that, “the
living and true God tirelessly calls
each person, seeking to draw us into
the mysterious encounter known as
prayer” (#2567).
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What’s Your Decision? An Ignatian Approach by Fr. Michael Sparough, SJ, et al
Excerpt from What’s Your Decision? How to make Choices with Confidence and Clarity: An Ignatian Approach to Decision
Making by J. Michael Sparough, SJ, Jim Manney, and Tim Hipskind, SJ (Loyola Press, 2010). Used with permission by Loyola
Press. www.loyolapress.com.
unpleasant gestures of renunciation.)
How do you go about choosing between
plausible, attractive alternatives? St
Ignatius Loyola laid his ideas about
decision-making and spiritual growth
almost five hundred years ago and these
ideas have had immense influence. The
Ignatian approach calls for a couple of
prerequisites: a sincere desire to choose
the good, and a willingness to do what’s
necessary to become free enough to
make the best choice.
God Cares about Our Decisions
We are free, but the freedom we have
comes from God. We have it for a
purpose. Decision-making is essentially
a matter of discovering this purpose
and aligning ourselves with it. God is at
work in your life. Your choices matter.
God cares about them.
At the center of reality is a God who
loves us, says Ignatius. The world God
created is good. “All the things in this
world” exist so that we can love better.
Our decisions are choices about how
we use the things in this world. Our
decisions matter to God.
We Can Know God’s Will
“God’s will” is a loaded, imprecise, and
controversial term. The first problem is:
what is the nature of God’s will? One
view is that God’s will is completely
objective, a “plan” that He made for
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us before we were born that exists
independently of our desires, feelings,
history, choices, and relationships. At
the other extreme is the view that God’s
will is subjective. Whatever we do to
fulfill our potential and attain happiness
is “God’s will.”
The second problem has to do with
knowing God’s will. We sometimes
run across people who are certain that
they know what God’s will is in certain
matters. Television preachers. Religious
zealots. They make us nervous. Or
envious. Lucky you, to know what
God’s will is. I wish I did. At the other
extreme are people who don’t have the
slightest idea what God might want
of them when they face an important
decision and think it’s a waste of time
to even ask. Their God is detached or
indifferent or inaccessible.
Finally there’s the problem of doing
God’s will. Some think that they can
unquestionably do what God wants
once they know it. It’s simply a matter
of will power, of bold, decisive action.
The view at the other extreme is that
gravely flawed, easily-tempted sinners
like ourselves are seldom able to do
what God wants. We’re bound to fail.
(Interestingly, people at both extremes
tend to think that God generally
wants people to make heroic, difficult,
Ignatian discernment lies somewhere
in the middle of all of these views.
“God’s will” is neither totally objective
nor entirely subjective. It’s a blend of
both—God’s desire for us is manifested
to a large degree in our own desires and
struggles. God’s will is something we
can know—but we can’t be sure that
we know it perfectly. We are sinners
with flawed minds and wayward hearts
and an impressive capacity for selfdelusion. In fact, the mechanics of
Ignatian discernment consist largely
of techniques for freeing ourselves
of attachments to desires and ideas
that lead us astray. Finally, Ignatian
discernment holds that we’re entirely
capable of doing God’s will once we
properly discern it. But—it’s not a matter
of simple willpower. Doing God’s will is
more a matter of growing into the kind
of person we’re meant to be.
Our Feelings are a Key to Discernment
Learning to interpret emotions is one
of the best ways to discern God’s will
for our choices in life. This was the key
insight that St. Ignatius had about the
problem of decision-making. When he
faced an important decision, Ignatius
would contemplate the alternatives
and pay attention to how he felt about
them. These feelings, he realized, often
pointed the way to the best choice.
Over the years, Ignatius became expert
in interpreting these feelings. From
him we learn that the answers to the
question, “What is God asking of me?”
can be found in the inner movements of
feelings within our hearts.
Ignatius can help us with this. He
discovered some very practical ways
of “discerning” or sorting through our
emotions. His discoveries proved to be
so useful that the process of decisioncontinued on page 11
Thoughts from New Retreatants by Mary McKeon
Can you recall your first retreat
at Bellarmine? Was it last year or
50 years ago? Did you come into
the retreat with expectations
or fears? Were you surprised
by God? Read on to hear what
some of our recent first time
retreatants have to say about
their experience!
Those who come to Bellamrine for
the first time usually don’t come on
a whim (but some do!). Usually they
come at the invitation of a friend or
family member who has been coming
on retreat for some time. Or perhaps
they might have heard a retreat
captain give a witness talk at Mass
or heard one of our own Ministry
Team members speaking. Many new
retreatants come after hearing our
ads on Relevant Radio and feeling
inspired to “Come to the quiet” by
the Michael John Poirer song.
Regardless of the way new retreatants
are introduced to Bellarmine and
our Ignatian Silent Retreats, week
after week we hear some of the same
comments at our gathering for new
retreatants. They describe the retreat
experience as:
Powerful • Affirming • Profound
Awesome • Inspiring • Enriching
Peaceful • Calming • Cleansing
Challenging • Insightful
New Retreatants often say their Retreat was:
When asked, “What is the highlight of your retreat experience?” we most
often hear about the gift found in silence. Even those who feared trying to
observe prolonged silence—and perhaps used this as a reason for not coming
to Bellarmine sooner—speak of the grace received in spending time in quiet
stillness with the Lord. Here are some of those graces first-hand:
I felt nourishing of soul; the
retreat was everything I expected
– and more!
I came with preconceived notions
and it turned out that things I did
not expect blessed me the most.
In the silence, I could hear God’s
voice for the first time in my life!
The inner silence helped with
my hard questions and provided
time for discernment.
The retreat blew my mind and
softened my heart.
It was an answer to my prayer;
emotional doors were opened for
me and finally some doors were
able to be closed.
The retreat had a wonderful
balance of talks, activities and
time for private prayer.
The talks by the Retreat Master
brought Scripture alive!
Whether you are considering a retreat for the first time, or
have been to Bellarmine many times and need a reason to
return, ask yourself how the quiet and stillness might help
you in your daily life. Fr. Paul spoke of re-insertion and
carrying the graces from the retreat back into your life as the
true gauge good retreat; give yourself that gift this coming
season and consider brining someone new!
One first-time retreatant recently said,
“The words of Psalm 46 best reflect the Bellarmine
experience: Be still and know that I am God.”
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Ignatian Silent Retreats
For a biography of each retreat master, along with the title for their retreat (if available), see page
12. To register for any of the retreats below you may go online to www.jesuitretreat.org, call
847-381-1261, or use the mail-in registration form located on page 16. Simply write in the retreat
or program date (or dates) you want to register for, and mail in your deposit along with the form.
RETREATS FOR MEN
August 7-9, 2015
Father/Son
Fr. Patrick McGrath, SJ
Sept 11-13, 2015 Matt Carpenter Fr. Tom Krettek, SJ
Sept18-20, 2015
Weekend
Fr. Jim Kubicki, SJ
Sept 25-27, 2015
Weekend
Fr. David Meconi, SJ
October 9-11, 2015
Weekend
Fr. David Meconi, SJ
Oct 30-Nov 1, 2015
Weekend
Fr. Peter Etzel, SJ
Dec 4-6, 2015
Weekend
Fr. Doug Leonhardt, SJ
January 8-10, 2016 Four Shepherds Fr. Jim Kubicki, SJ
January 15-17, 2016
Weekend
Fr. John Foley, SJ
January 22-24, 2016
Weekend
Fr. Michael Sparough, SJ
January 29-31, 2016 Roche/Zera Fr. Keith Muccino, SJ
February 5-7, 2016
Weekend
Fr. Mike Marco, SJ
Feb 19-21, 2016
Weekend
Fr. Peter Fennessy, SJ
Feb 26-28, 2016
Weekend
Fr. David Meconi, SJ
March 18-20, 2016 Palm Sunday Fr. David Meconi, SJ
April 15-17, 2016
Father/Son
Mr. Keith Maczkiewicz, SJ
INDIVIDUALLY DIRECTED RETREATS
June 19-26, 2015 Men/Women* Jesuit & Lay Directors
July 6-13, 2015 Men/Women Jesuit & Lay Directors
June 17-24, 2016 Men/Women Jesuit & Lay Directors
July 22-29, 2016 Men/Women Jesuit & Lay Directors
RETREATS FOR WOMEN
October 2-4, 2015 Weekend Mary McKeon
October 6-8, 2015 Mid Wk Fr. Peter Fennessy, SJ
April 8-9, 2016 1-Night Mary McKeon & Lynn Sprehe
Apr 29-May 1, 2016 Weekend Fr. Kevin Kersten, SJ
RETREATS FOR MEN & WOMEN
March 3-6, 2016
4-Day
Mary McKeon
March 24-26, 2016 Holy Wk Fr. Bob Flack, SJ
Mar 31-April 3, 2016
4-Day
Fr. David Shields, SJ
April 22-24, 2016 Couples* Fr. Jim Kubicki, SJ
*Couples that have received the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony.
BILL W RETREATS
October 16-18, 2015
Men
Mildred Frank
November 6-8, 2015 Women Fr. Tom Weston, SJ
Nov 13-15, 2015
Men
Mildred Frank
Dec 11-13, 2015
Men
Fr. Jim Harbaugh, SJ
March 11-13, 2016 Families* Fr. Tom Weston, SJ
*Friends and Family of Bill W Retreat
COMING HOME VETERANS’ RETREATS
June 7, 2015 Dependents Fr. Sparough, SJ & Team
August 2, 2015
Veterans
Fr. Sparough, SJ & Team
October 25, 2015 Dependents Fr. Sparough, SJ & Team
February 28, 2016
Veterans
Fr. Sparough, SJ & Team
*The IDRs are open to Men and Women, Lay or Religious.
June 12, 2016 Dependents Fr. Sparough, SJ & Team
These are 5 to 8 day retreats with a personal Spiritual
Director. Visit www.jesuitretreat.org/idrs to learn more. *Along with Fr. Michael Sparough, SJ, a group of military
Veterans have formed a team to both plan and run the
single day retreats for either Veterans or their Dependents.
See the next page for full details on this new ministry
offering at Bellarmine.
8
jesuitretreat.org
Spirituality Programs
Spirituality Programs at Bellarmine are a time of guided prayer and reflection without needing to commit to a
weekend retreat. Visit jesuitretreat.org/programs/ to learn more about these dynamic, prayer provoking programs.
SPIRITUALITY PROGRAMS FOR WOMEN
September 14, 2015 Evening of Reflection: Mother Teresa of Calcutta, Contemplative in Action Mary McKeon
October 13, 2015 Afternoon of Reflection: Praying the Rosary with Mary Untier of Knots
Mary McKeon
March 22, 2016 Evening of Reflection: The Way of the Cross Through Mary’s Eyes
Mary McKeon
SPIRITUALITY PROGRAMS FOR MEN & WOMEN
November 2, 2015 Day of Reflection: Transforming Grief
Fr. Paul Macke, SJ & Mary McKeon
December 8, 2015 Advent Day of Reflection
Fr. Rick McGurn, SJ
February 10, 2016 Ash Wednesday Evening of Reflection
Fr. Michael Sparough, SJ
February 22, 2016 Lenten Day of Reflection
Fr. Michael Sparough, SJ
April 10, 2016 Hispanic Day of Reflection
Fr. John Foley, SJ
April 25, 2016 Day of Reflection: Spirituality of Aging
Fr. Jim Gschwend, SJ & Mary McKeon
Retreats for Veterans
Skarr from the Ignatian Spirituality
Project helped the team design the
day using the ISP retreat model for
the homeless. “The beauty of the ISP
model is that it’s all about building
trust and creating a safe place to
be able to tell one’s story,” explains
Committee Chair—retired Army
Maj. General—Em Bataille.
Trust is a big issue for most veterans
recently returning from deployment.
“The retreat seeks to create a safe
place where veterans don’t have to
explain themselves or what we’ve
been through,” said Fr. Matt Foley,
The retreat grew from a suggestion former military chaplain with four
by Board Member Gene Croissant tours of duty in Afghanistan and
who strongly advocated for a now pastor of St. James in Arlington
spiritual outreach to those men and Heights. “I know that I am only now
women who have served our nation beginning to process all that went on
through the armed forces. A Veterans for me during my first deployment
outreach committee was formed in Afghanistan. We veterans need
and created an interactive, non- the kind of retreat experience that
denominational spiritual experience Bellarmine is now offering. It’s
that welcomes all veterans regardless critical to the healing process.”
of their religious affiliation. Jordan Much has been written about the
Bellarmine held its first retreat for
Veterans on Sunday, November 23.
The response of those who attended
was electric! It was a healing, bonding
and energizing day of prayer.
trauma veterans experience. Many
return with Post Traumatic Stress
Disorder (PTSD) or Traumatic Brain
Injury (TBI). Others experience
something much harder to diagnose
but equally devastating – Moral
Injury. “This is a rupture to the
core values of a person who in time
of war has acted contrary to their
basic moral code,” commented team
member and retired Army Maj.
General Jim Mukoyama.
Joining Forces
Bellarmine provides a one day retreat
experience while Mayslake Ministries
offers a more in depth, full weekend
program especially for those suffering
from PTSD.
The retreats are offered free of charge
through the generosity of benefactors.
See page 8 for a full list of upcoming
Veterans’ Retreats at Bellarmine.
Mayslake Ministries offers a weekend
retreat May 29 – 31 in Racine, WI. To
register: ComingHomeRetreats.org
jesuitretreat.org
9
Retreat and Program Costs and Funding Options
Suggested Contribution Amounts
Father Fussner Retreat
Scholarship Fund
It is the tradition of Bellarmine
Jesuit Retreat House to welcome
everyone to our Ignatian Silent
Retreats, regardless of their ability
to pay the suggested contribution
amount. Our ministry depends on
the generosity of retreatants giving
to our Father Fussner Retreat
Scholarship Fund which helps to
cover retreat expenses for those
who cannot afford to make a
contribution on their own.
Fr. Ray Fussner, SJ, lived and
served at Bellarmine for 23 years
until suffering a stroke in 1993 that
forced him to retire to Columbiere,
the Jesuit retirement community
in MI, where he died in 1995. The
Fr. Fussner Fund was established
at Bellarmine to help those who
cannot afford to come on retreat.
Any amount given above the
suggested retreat contribution goes
into the Fussner Fund. We invite
contributions to the Fussner Fund
at any time. Your gift of $285 will
sponsor a retreat for someone who
cannot afford it at this time.
10 jesuitretreat.org
Weekend Retreat (2 nights)
$285 per person*
4-Day Retreat (3 nights)
$360 per person
Bill W/Al-Anon Retreats (2 nights)
$285 per person
Sacramentally Married Couples (2 nights)
$515 per couple
Overnight Retreat (1 night)
$185 per person
Individually Directed Retreat (5 to 8 days)
$85 per night**
Day of Reflection
$50 per person***
Afternoon/Evening of Reflection
$35 per person
*A deposit of $85 is requested to register each person for a retreat. For those coming to
the Married Couples’ retreat or the Father-Son retreats, the deposit amount is $42.50 per
person. If you give more than the suggested amount, we consider that extra amount a
tax-deductible gift.
**The Early Bird rate for the IDR is $85 per night, secured with your deposit before May
1st. After May 1st, the rate is $90 per night.
***If you are registering for a Spirituality Program (day or evening), we request the full
amount at the time of your registration.
How We Use Your Contributions
Your contribution primarily goes
to cover the expenses of the Retreat
House. Limited financial resources
should not prevent anyone from
making a retreat. The generosity of
retreatants who can offer more than
the requested contribution helps us
to provide retreats for all who are
unable to contribute at this time.
The deposit is applied toward the
total suggested contribution for your
retreat. In the event of a cancellation
48 hours before the retreat begins, you
have the option to move your deposit
to a different retreat within the same
season (a deposit may be moved once
only). If not moving your deposit, you
can either request a refund or donate
your deposit as a tax-deductible gift.
Each retreat has fixed costs, but we do
not turn anyone away because they
cannot afford to contribute. Flexible
funding (see details below) allows
payments to be spread over time. For
those who cannot pay anything, we
ask that you limit attendance to one
retreat per year so that others may
also benefit from this ministry.
Flexible Funding Options
If you are unable to give a deposit or pay the suggested retreat contribution at
the time of your retreat, consider making smaller monthly payments spread
over 4 or 10 months. If this too is a financial burden, a one-time scholarship
may be offered from the Fussner Fund to cover your retreat costs.
To inquire about utilizing the flexible funding option, or to receive a retreat
scholarship, please call the Bellarmine office at 847-381-1261.
What’s Your Decision? (continued)
making that Ignatius developed is
popularly referred to as “discernment.”
us tools to help us acquire these skills as
well.
There’s a Methodology to
Making Decisions
Decisions Lead to More Decisions
Ignatius’ first great contribution to
the discussion was his realization
that our emotions are an important
factor in decision-making. His second
achievement—even more important in
our view—was to develop a methodology
for decision-making that can be usefully
applied to our lives. Our feelings have
to be interpreted; we shouldn’t always
just “go with our gut,” at least in most
situations.
And feelings aren’t the
only consideration. Analysis is part
of decision-making too, as are our life
circumstances, the advice of others, and
prior commitments and decisions.
Ignatius developed a method and an
approach. His advice about interpreting
the inner movements of the heart is
summarized in “Rules for Discernment
of Spirits.” He proposed three methods
for making decisions and fleshed out
how these methods work in practical
terms. Ignatian decision-making works
best when we can listen and reflect on
our experience and develop a sensitivity
to subtle spiritual signals. Ignatius gave
It’s often narrow and misleading to think
of decision-making in terms of a single
decision. The model is a journey. The end
is “life forever with God,” in the words of
Ignatius’ Principle and Foundation. The
road to this end is a meandering one. Our
travels are punctuated by decisions, some
of them crucial, life-changing decisions,
but we seldom “arrive” at a point where
no further decisions are necessary.
Ignatian decision-making isn’t linear. It’s
more of a spiraling circle. We reflect on
our experience, make a decision based
on reflection and discernment, put the
decision into practice, experience the
result, reflect on that experience, and so
forth. It’s a spiral—a circular process that
carries us deeper and forward into a life
lived for God.
Thus, even our mistakes can be useful
material in the next decision. In fact,
it’s hard to think of a decision that
is absolutely bad with no redeeming
qualities and possibilities. As long as
we’re walking the road with an open
mindedness, as long as we’re seeking to
do good and to love God
and our fellow human
Ignatian Decision-Making Isn’t Linear
beings, we’ll continue to
grow and to learn and to
serve.
The fact is: the decision is
not the goal. The goal is
to grow in a relationship
with God. The decisions
we make are means to
this end. Ignatius put it
this way in his Principle
and Foundation at the
beginning of the Spiritual
Exercises: “Our one choice
should be this: I want and
I choose what better leads
to God’s deepening life in
me.”
drawing by Christopher Santer
www.pacemstudio.com
St. Robert Bellarmine, SJ, one of
the most important cardinals of the
Catholic Reformation and a Doctor
of the Church, was born to an
impoverished noble Italian family. His
early intellectual accomplishments
gave his father hope that Bellarmine
would restore the family’s fortunes
through a political career. His mother’s
wish that he enter the Society of
Jesus prevailed.
On completion of his studies,
Bellarmine taught at Louvain in
Belgium. In 1576, he accepted the
invitation of Pope Gregory XIII to
teach theology at the new Roman
College. He spent the next 11 years
teaching and writing a monumental
defense of the Catholic faith against
the arguments of the Protestants.
Through his writings Bellarmine was
involved in the political, religious, and
social issues of the time.
Although a very powerful man in
Rome, Bellarmine lived an austere
life. He gave most of his money to the
poor saying, “The school of Christ is
the school of charity...On the last day
when the examination takes place...
charity will be the whole syllabus.
St. Robert Bellarmine was canonized
by Pope Pius XI in 1930 and declared
a Doctor of the Church in 1931.
Bio from: ignatianspirituality.com
jesuitretreat.org
11
Retreat Master Biographies with Retreat Dates and Titles
Fr. David De Marco, SJ, MD, is a Jesuit priest
and a physician, who lives in the Oglala
Lakota Nation on the Pine Ridge Indian
Reservation in SD, where he is the superior of
the Holy Rosary Mission Jesuit Community.
He has practiced primary care internal medicine at the
Pine Ridge Hospital operated by the Dept. of Health
and Human Services while also serving several of the
faith communities on the reservation as an associate
pastor. Besides his medical degree, Fr. De Marco holds
degrees in medical ethics and divinity, and received
his training in spiritual direction at the Weston Jesuit
School of Theology.
Retreat: Spiritual Director at the 2015 June and July IDRs
Fr. Peter Etzel, SJ, is a priest with the
Wisconsin Province Jesuits and currently
serves as the Director of the Sioux Spiritual
Center in Howes, SD. Fr. Etzel graduated
with a BS in Journalism from the University
of Wisconsin in 1975, entered the Jesuits in 1983, and
then was ordained a priest in 1994. As a Jesuit, he studied
Humanities at Creighton University, Philosophy at St.
Louis University and received his M. Div. from the Jesuit
School of Theology in 1994. Previously he was the Pastor
at Gesu Parish from 2002-2009 and Director of Vocations
for the Wisconsin Jesuits from 1996-1999.
Fr. Jim Dixon, SJ, is a frequent team member
for our Bellarmine retreats. He is currently
superior of the Jesuit community in Chicago’s
Hyde Park neighborhood, and Chaplain
for the Ignatian Volunteer Corps. Prior to
ordination, he studied theology in Toronto, and has
given 8-day and 30-day retreats in Canada. Fr. Dixon
has extensive experience in Native American ministry,
as well as serving as pastor in various locales in rural
America. His priestly ministry also includes service on
the marriage tribunals for dioceses in SD and AK.
Retreat: Spiritual Director at the 2015 June IDR
Fr. Peter Fennessy, SJ, was born in Boston and
is part of the Chicago-Detroit Province. He
completed most of his studies in the Boston
area but spent three years at Oxford University
and three years teaching in Kingston, Jamaica.
Fr. Fennessy earned graduate degrees in the Classics,
Philosophy and Theology from Boston College and
Weston Jesuit School of Theology. Ordained in 1970, he
was active in the Campus Ministry Team at John Carroll
University for 26 years, serving also as Team Director and
Rector of the Jesuit Community. Since studying Theology
and Art and Buddhist Aesthetics during a sabbatical, he
has used the fine arts to illustrate his preached retreats. He
works at Manresa Jesuit Retreat House in Bloomfield Hills,
MI, giving preached and individually directed retreats.
Retreat: a Silent Weekend Retreat for Men,
October 30-November 1, 2015
Retreat: Praying with Art a Silent Midweek Retreat for Women, October 6-8, 2015
Fr. John P. Foley, SJ is Chief Mission Officer of
the Cristo Rey Network. A native of Chicago,
he joined the Society of Jesus in 1954 and was
ordained a priest in 1967. From 1961 until
1995, he served in the Jesuit missions in Peru
working in education and school administration. During
this time, he was President of the Jesuit high schools in the
cities of Piura and Tacna. In 1995, he returned to Chicago
to help establish Cristo Rey Jesuit HS. The National
Catholic Educational Association conferred on him the
Seton Award for the positive impact this work has had on
Catholic education in the US. In December 2008, Fr. Foley
received the Distinguished Citizen’s Award from President
George W. Bush for his work on behalf of the vulnerable
youth served by the Cristo Rey Network schools.
Retreat: Praying with Art a Silent Weekend Retreat for Men, February 19-21, 2016
Mildred Frank is an educator and inspirational
speaker who has helped many people enhance
the quality of their lives, improve their
relationships and recover from addictions. She
is a much sought-after counselor and spiritual adviser and
a towering example of embracing and living recovery. For
decades Mildred has spent 30 – 40 weekends a year sharing
her message throughout Canada, the US and beyond. In
all her work, Mildred shares freely from the rich personal
experiences that shaped her own life. She is wonderfully
skilled in making the program come alive as she speaks of
practicing spirituality in everyday life situations.
Retreat: What are you looking for? a Silent Weekend Retreat for Men, January 15-17, 2016
Retreat: a Bill W Silent Weekend Retreat for Men,
November 13-15, 2015
12 jesuitretreat.org
Retreat Master Biographies with Retreat Dates and Titles
Fr. Jim Harbaugh, SJ, has been active in
addictions recovery for nearly 25 years,
including the retreat ministry. He has been
a high school teacher, a college professor, an
addictions counselor, and a parish priest.
He has published books on the Twelve
Steps (A 12-Step Approach to the Spiritual Exercises and A
12-Step Approach to the Sunday Readings) and the Jesuit
Spiritual Exercises. He is currently the assistant pastor
at St. Leo Church in Tacoma, WA. He has been leading
retreats for recovering people since 1991.
Retreat: What It Takes to Stay Awake a Bill W Silent Retreat
for Men, December 11-13, 2015
A native of Council Bluffs, Iowa, Fr. Tom
Krettek, SJ is presently Director of the
Jesuit First Studies and Master of Arts
in Philosophical Resources Programs at
Fordham University in the Bronx. Formerly,
he was provincial of the Wisconsin Province,
and has been giving weekend preached retreats for over
15 years.
Retreat: The Mass and the Spiritual Exercises a Silent Retreat
for Men, September 11-13, 2015
Maureen Kuhn has been a Spiritual Director
for the past 18 years. She and her husband
graduated from the Institute of Pastoral
Studies of Loyola University and then
served in parish ministry in Wisconsin as
Pastoral Associates. Along with her service at
Bellarmine, she sees spiritual directees, offers “At Home
and Workplace Retreats,” and works with the Diaconate
Program for the Archdiocese of Chicago. Maureen is a past
Regional Coordinator of Spiritual Directors International
for the State of Illinois.
Retreat: Spiritual Director at the 2015 June and July IDRs
Fr. Kevin Kersten, SJ, holds graduate degrees in
Theology from the Jesuit School of Theology
at Berkeley; Television Production from San
Francisco State University; and English Lit.
from St. Louis University and has a PhD in
International Communication from the University of
Wisconsin. He served as Assistant Secretary General of the
International Catholic Association for Radio/Television
and then as Executive Secretary of the Jesuit Secretariat
for Communications and the Media, East Asia. He also
taught at the Jesuit Sogang University in Seoul, Korea and
produced over 50 documentaries on faith and justice.
Retreat: Jesus Christ: “Yesterday, Today, and Forever” St. Ignatius’s Way to Know, Love and Serve Our Lord a Silent Retreat for Women, April 29-May 1, 2016
Fr. Jim Kubicki, SJ, born in Milwaukee,
entered the Jesuits in 1971, was ordained in
1983 and gave his first retreat in 1986. From
1984-88 he served as the Vocation Dir. and
from 1995-99 as the Dir. of Formation for
the Wisconsin Province Jesuits. Fr. Kubicki
worked at the Sioux Spiritual Center, a retreat house for
Native Americans in western SD, from 1989-95. From
2000-03 he was the Asst. Dir. of Demontreville Retreat
House in Lake Elmo, MN. In 2003 he became the National
Dir. of the Apostleship of Prayer overseeing the publication
of materials to promote awareness of and prayer for the
Holy Father’s monthly intentions, as well as materials
which foster devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Retreat: A Heart Centered Approach to the Spiritual
Exercises a Silent Weekend Retreat for Men,
September 18-20, 2015
Retreat: A Heart Centered Approach to the Spiritual
Exercises a Silent Weekend Retreat for Men,
January 8-10, 2016
Retreat: a Silent Weekend Retreat for Sacramentally
Married Couples, April 22-24, 2016
jesuitretreat.org
13
Retreat Master Biographies with Retreat Dates and Titles
A native of Milwaukee, Fr. Doug Leonhardt,
SJ, entered the Society of Jesus in 1956 and
was ordained a priest in 1969. At various
times he has served as the Principal and the
President of Marquette University High, as the
Director of Novices and the Formation Director of the
Wisconsin Province, and as the Pastor of Gesu Parish in
Milwaukee. He has extensive experience in directing the
Spiritual Exercises and is presently working as Associate
Vice President for Mission and Ministry at Marquette
University.
Retreat: God is more present than we think.
Encountering God and Christ with St. Ignatius as our tutor a Silent Weekend Retreat for Men,
December 4-6, 2015
Fr. Michael Marco, SJ was born in Omaha,
NE, graduated from Creighton University in
1984 with a BA in Psychology, Boston College
University with an MEd, Weston Jesuit School
of Theology with an MDiv, and earned his
teacher certification at Marquette University. He joined
the Society of Jesus in 1984. He has been a theology
instructor, retreat director, spiritual director, Director
of Campus Ministry, and President of Walsh Jesuit High
School and Georgetown Preparatory School. Fr. Marco
currently serves as Special Assistant to the President at
Marquette University High School.
Retreat: a Silent Weekend Retreat for Men,
February 5-7, 2016
Fr. David Meconi, SJ, is a professor of early
Church history at Saint Louis University as well
as the editor of Homiletic & Pastoral Review. He
is a member of the Chicago-Detroit Province of
the Society of Jesus, holds the pontifical license
in Patristics from the University of Innsbruck, and the
Doctorate in Ecclesiastical History from Oxford. He grew
up "right around the lake" in the vineyards of Paw Paw,
MI.
Retreat: a Silent Weekend Retreat for Men, Sep 25-27, 2015
Retreat: a Silent Weekend Retreat for Men, Oct 9-11, 2015
Retreat: a Silent Weekend Retreat for Men, Feb 26-28, 2016
Retreat: a Palm Sunday Weekend Retreat for Men, March 18-20, 2016
14 jesuitretreat.org
Keith Maczkiewicz, SJ a Long Island, New
York Native, joined the former New England
Province Jesuits in summer 2008. Keith
graduated from Fairfield University in CT and
did two years of service with the Providence
Alliance for Catholic Teachers (PACT), serving as campus
minister at a diocesan high school in Springfield, MA
and living in community with other volunteer teachers.
After completing two years there and earning an M.Ed.
from Providence College, Keith began working at The
University of Scranton in PA in the office of Campus
Ministry doing retreat and justice work while living in a
freshmen residence hall. After taking vows in the Society
in 2010, Keith completed his philosophy studies at Loyola
University Chicago in 2013. From 2013-15, Keith worked
in the chaplains’ office at the College of the Holy Cross
in Worcester, MA. In August 2015, he began his theology
studies at the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley, CA.
Retreat: High Definition: Finding God on Television a Silent Weekend Retreat for Fathers and Sons,
April 15-17, 2016
Fr. Patrick E. McGrath, SJ, a Jesuit of the
Chicago-Detroit Province, was installed as
Loyola Academy’s eighth president in 2009. Fr.
McGrath is a popular retreat leader and noted
homilist who focuses on the practical living of
Catholic faith. He uses storytelling, scripture, wisdom from
the Catholic tradition and the spirituality of St. Ignatius to
help audiences reflect and experience God in all things.
A native of Chicago, Fr. McGrath graduated from Marist
HS and earned his B.A. in American Government from
the University of Notre Dame in 1988. He holds master’s
degrees in Divinity from the Jesuit School of Theology,
Berkeley and in Learning and Organizational Change
from Northwestern. Before joining the Jesuits in 2000,
Fr. McGrath taught religion and was campus minister
at Cathedral HS in Chicago. He also taught scripture,
ethics and philosophy at St. Ignatius College Prep and was
director of Ignatian and Jesuit Identity at Loyola Academy
from 2003-06. In July 2006, Fr. McGrath was ordained a
Catholic priest.
Retreat: a Silent Weekend Retreat for Fathers and Sons,
August 7-9, 2015
Retreat Master Biographies with Retreat Dates and Titles
Fr. Keith Muccino, SJ, MD, currently works
as a physician and medical educator at Loyola
University Medical Center in Chicago. Fr.
Muccino’s love for retreat work has been
a life long passion. While at Georgetown
University from 1991-2004, he directed
students, faculty, staff and alumni on a variety of Ignatian
retreat experiences. Since moving to Chicago in 2004 to
take on his current position at Loyola University Medical
Center, he has continued to direct retreats for parish and
professional groups, who are seeking to connect God to
the busy pace and challenges that are a part of every day
contemporary life.
Retreat: a Silent Weekend Retreat for Men,
January 29-31, 2016
Fr. David Shields, SJ, entered the Jesuits in 1961
after graduating from Marquette University
HS in Milwaukee, WI. After finishing his
theological studies in Toronto, Ontario, Canada,
he was ordained a priest in 1973. He served on
the Pine Ridge Reservation from 1974-89, where he taught
at Red Cloud HS, did pastoral duties, served as director of
the Red Cloud Volunteers, and was staff liaison at Holy
Rosary Mission. From 1990-95, Fr. Shields was Assistant
Director of the Family Life Office for the Diocese of Rapid
City, SD. In 1996, he began ministry among Milwaukee’s
Latino population. For the last 9 years, he has served as
Executive Director of Casa Romero Renewal Center, an
urban bilingual spirituality center in Milwaukee.
Retreat: a 4-Day Silent Men & Women,
March 31-April 3, 2016
Lynn Sprehe is a Spiritual Director trained
in the Ignatian tradition. She is a team
member of Bellarmine’s training program
for spiritual directors. She enjoys giving the
Spiritual Exercises to individuals and small
groups, as well as offering workshops based on Ignatian
spirituality. Lynn is a Licensed Clinical Professional
Counselor with graduate degrees in Pastoral Studies
and Clinical Psychology. She is married and the mother
of three sons.
Retreat: a Bill W Silent Weekend Retreat for Women,
November 6-8, 2015
Retreat: a Silent Overnight Retreat for Women,
April 8-9, 2016
Retreat: an Al-Anon Silent Weekend Retreat for Men & Women, March 11-13, 2016
Prayer for Healing said after Wednesday Morning Mass
St. Peter
Faber, SJ
Gracious God, you called St. Peter
Faber to be “the quiet companion of St.
Ignatius” in the founding of the Society
and Jesus, and a powerful instrument in
helping your people to unite themselves
with Christ.
Through the intercession of St. Peter,
we ask you for the complete healing of
all those on our prayer list: body, mind,
spirit and speech; that they might be
restored to their loved ones and brought
closer to you. We ask you this in Jesus’
name. Amen.
Fr. Tom Weston, SJ, entered the California
Province of the Jesuit Order in 1965 and was
ordained a priest in 1978. Currently based
in Oakland, CA, he has devoted most of his
priestly life to counseling and retreat work
with alcoholics and other addicts. In addition to his Twelve
Step work, he was part of a team that taught English to
ministry students in Thailand and Vietnam each summer.
Beginning Fall of 2015: A 3-year Internship in
Spiritual Direction in the Ignatian Tradition
Offered Monday evenings from 6:30-8:30pm at Bellarmine,
this program focuses on the dynamics of the spiritual
direction conversation. In the Ignatian tradition, this
means listening contemplatively to the movement of God
in the life of the directee, discerning those movements,
and fostering intimacy with God.
In year one, classes are twice per month, going to once per
month in years two and three. Lynn Sprehe will coordinate
this program along with the Bellarmine Ministry Team.
Call the office or email info@jesuitretreat.org to learn
about applying. Applications are due by August 1, 2015.
Three texts will be used: Barry & Connolly, The Practice
of Spiritual Direction; Fr. Bill Barry, SJ, Letting God Come
Close; Fr. Michael Sparough, SJ, What’s Your Decision?
jesuitretreat.org
15
Volunteer Gardening Days
We are blessed to have a dedicated group of professional
and amateur gardeners who tend and cultivate our
gardens and grounds on a weekly basis. Even with this
level of attention we are still not able to get everything
done that is needed throughout the season.
To address this challenge we introduced volunteer
gardening days where a big group of volunteers is invited
to take on some of these tasks. Since the summer of 2013
we have had four of these gardening days, with more
than 30 retreatants and volunteers participating.
In addition to getting your hands dirty and working in
the gardens, these days offer an excellent opportunity to
see the grounds and the retreat house in a different time
of year than the fall/winter/spring retreat season!
At the first gardening day this box was emptied of the white Gooseneck
Loosestrife plants (lower right) and given a new look with more variety.
2015 Gardening Dates
Friday, May 29th
Friday, July 17th
Thursday, October 29th
Each day will begin at 8:30am with garden work until
11:15am followed by Mass at 11:30am and then lunch at
noon. To register for one of the dates above, please call
the Bellarmine office, or visit jesuitretreat.org/garden.
We look forward to having you!
A husband and wife team work in the boxes near the statue of the Blessed
Mother. Thank you to the generous donor who gave these beautiful plants!
Retreat and Program Registration Form

To register by mail, please complete this form and send it, along with your deposit or full payment, to our office at the
address below. If you wish to pay for your retreat in installments, please call the office at 847-381-1261.
I am registering for the following Retreat (list date): Name: Address: Enclosed is my check payable to:
Bellarmine Jesuit Retreat House, Inc.
City: Credit Card Type, if applicable: Visa Amex MC Discover
State / Zip: Card #: Phone: Expiration Date: Please list any dietary restrictions: Signature: Retreat Group (if applicable): 16 jesuitretreat.org
Bellarmine Jesuit Retreat House
420 W County Line Road • Barrington, IL 60010
847-381-1261 • www.jesuitretreat.org
Bellarmine
2015-2016 Ignatian Silent Retreats & Spirituality Programs
Register online at jesuitretreat.org or call 847.381.1261.
Men
Only
Women
Only
Both
Men & Women
Gender Key:
420 W County Line Rd Barrington, IL 60010
847.381.1261 | www.jesuitretreat.org
Program Key:
DOR = Day of Reflection, EOR = Evening of Reflection
Veterans Committee
19-26
Directed Retreats
Multiple Directors
6-13
Directed Retreats
Multiple Directors
2
Military Veterans
Veterans Committee
7-9
Father/Son Retreat**
Fr. Patrick McGrath, SJ
11-13
14
18-20
25-27
2-4
Weekend Retreat
Evening of Reflection
Weekend Retreat
Weekend Retreat
Weekend Retreat
Fr. Tom Krettek, SJ
Mary McKeon
Fr. Jim Kubicki, SJ
Fr. David Meconi, SJ
Mary McKeon
6-8
Midweek Retreat
Fr. Peter Fennessy, SJ
9-11
Weekend Retreat
Fr. David Meconi, SJ
Afternoon of Reflection
Bill W Retreat
Military Dependents
Weekend Retreat
DOR: Transforming Grief
Bill W Retreat
Bill W Retreat
Weekend Retreat
Advent DOR
Bill W Retreat
Mary McKeon
Mildred Frank
Veterans Committee
Fr. Peter Etzel, SJ
Fr. Macke & M. McKeon
Fr. Tom Weston, SJ
Mildred Frank
Fr. Doug Leonhardt, SJ
Fr. Rick McGurn, SJ
Fr. Jim Harbaugh, SJ
13
16-18
25
30-Nov 1
2
6-8
13-15
4-6
8
11-13
August
January
June
January
Military Dependents
February
7
2015
March
Dec
Nov
October
September
Aug
Jul June
Jesuit Retreat House
2016
8-10
Four Shepherds Retreat Fr. Jim Kubicki, SJ
15-17
Weekend Retreat
Fr. John Foley, SJ
22-24
Weekend Retreat
Fr. Michael Sparough, SJ
29-31
Roche/Zera Retreat
Fr. Keith Muccino, SJ
5-7
Weekend Retreat
Fr. Mike Marco, SJ
10
Ash Wednesday EOR*
Fr. Michael Sparough, SJ
Weekend Retreat
Fr. Peter Fennessy, SJ
Lenten DOR
Fr. Michael Sparough, SJ
26-28
Weekend Retreat
Fr. David Meconi, SJ
28
Military Veterans
Veterans Committee
3-6
4-Day Retreat
Mary McKeon
19-21
22
11-13
Friends/Family of Bill W Fr. Tom Weston, SJ
18-20
Palm Sunday Retreat Fr. David Meconi, SJ
22
24-26
Evening of Reflection Mary McKeon
Holy Week Retreat
April
31-Apr 3 4-Day Retreat
October
**For Fathers and their Sons who are at least 16 years old or older.
***For Couples who have received the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony.
Fr. David Shields, SJ
8-9
Overnight Retreat
Mary McKeon/Lynn Sprehe
10
Hispanic DOR
Fr. John Foley, SJ
15-17
Father/Son Retreat*
Mr. Keith Maczkiewicz, SJ
22-24
Married Couples***
Fr. Jim Kubicki, SJ
25
DOR: Spirituality of Aging Fr. Gschwend & M. McKeon
29-May 1 Weekend Retreat
Jul June
*The Ash Wednesday Program is an Evening of Reflection next year.
Fr. Bob Flack, SJ
12
Fr. Kevin Kersten, SJ
Military Dependents Veterans Committee
17-24
Directed Retreats
Multiple Directors
22-29
Directed Retreats
Multiple Directors
Bellarmine Jesuit Retreat House
420 W County Line Rd
Barrington, IL 60010-4011
847-381-1261 • jesuitretreat.org