Have you ever just needed to get away from it all? Taking time out for one’s self is important in the Catholic Tradition. We may crave silence if we live in a large city; we may want to develop a prayer life or examine our relationship with God; we may need time alone to sort out a particularly difficult dilemma, or discern a change in our life. The church recognizes that need and recommends making a retreat for these purposes.
Some retreats involve journeying together with peers, others may be quieter and more self-directed, and others may be completely silent with a few opportunities to speak with a director who helps guide you throughout your time at the retreat center.
Retreat Centers are places where you can make a retreat. The following is a listing of recommended retreat centers that many young adults have traveled to and recommended to the staff here at BustedHalo.com. If you need further assistance, don’t hesitate to email us at prayer@bustedhalo.com.
ALASKA
Holy Spirit Center
10980 Hillside Drive, Anchorage, AK
(907)346-2343
http://home.gci.net/~hsrh/
In the natural beauty of Alaska, or the solitude of their many chapels the Holy Spirit Center, there is great opportunity for spiritual reflection at Holy Spirit. Opportunities for groups of all kinds to use the facilities as well as, pastoral counseling, spiritual direction, and massage.
CALIFORNIA
St. Agnes Spiritual Life Center
1611 Oak St. San Francisco, CA
(415)487-8560
www.stagnesslc.org
An oasis in the city for young people. This center, recently opened through the sponsorship of St. Agnes parish, provides a spiritual oasis especially for the 18-39 set in the urban Haight-Ashbury neighborhood. Programming includes synergy yoga, Bible study, and spiritual direction. Sessions on the Just War Theory and on the future of our church are also available for a limited time. A library, garden, and bookstore are available for relaxation.
Mercy Center
2300 Adeline Dr.
Burlingame, CA
(650)340-7474
www.mercy-center.org
Spirituality, international conference, and retreat center located just outside San Francisco. Popular Taize prayer the first Friday of every month at 7:30 pm. Spiritual direction for individuals and groups. Disucssions on peace and justice. Local groups of young people carpool and attend.
San Damiano Retreat House
P.O. Box 767
Danville, CA
(925) 837-9141
www.sandamiano.org
This house comes well-recommend from friends of BustedHalo. It has a retreat schedule with weekends for just about every group that could need a retreat—from men’s groups to overeaters to introductions to Franciscan spirituality. There are also quite a few young adult retreats. San Damiano welcomes people of all faiths to their beautiful hills.
The Jesuit Retreat Center of Los Altos
300 Manresa Way, Los Altos, CA
(650) 948.4491
http://www.jrclosaltos.org
retreat@jrclosaltos.org
A Jesuit retreat house on 35 wooded acres above the Silicon Valley suburb of Los Altos. Spectacular view from their hilltop dining room. Regularly scheduled retreats for families, people in recovery, etc. Spiritual directors available for personal retreats. Retreats available for married couples, those in recovery, and business people have all gotten high marks from young adults. Ignatian spirituality weekends are also available.
ILLINOIS
Bellarmine Jesuit Retreat House
175 W. County Line Road
Barrington IL
(847) 381-1261
http://www.bellarminehall.org
Bellarmine Hall, also known as Bellarmine Jesuit Retreat House is located on 80 acres of gently rolling meadows and wooded countryside just 35 miles northwest of Chicago. The original retreat house was built in the 1920’s as a private residence. In 1948 it was purchased by the Jesuits for use as a retreat house. Today the retreat house consists of 68 private rooms some with private baths. Forty of the rooms are air-conditioned. Young adults have particularly praised the Charis Retreat Program which is held at Bellarmine Hall and run by the enthusiastic Fr. Michael Sparough, SJ.
FLORIDA
Cenacle Spiritual Life Center
1400 South Dixie Highway
Lantana, FL
(561) 582-2534
www.cenaclesisters.org
On Florida’s east coast, an ecumenical retreat house that welcomes all faiths to “seek a greater awareness of God.” Sabbatical programs along with retreats are always offered and the house is available for private retreats for groups.
Orange Springs Retreat Center
Located in Orange Springs, Florida - On the edge of Florida’s Ocala National Forest
(800) 279-0401 or (305) 279-0401
http://www.orangespringsretreat.com
Not sponsored by a Catholic religious community but a place where you can do just about everything under the sun. A magnificent 100 acre Florida retreat center in the gentle rolling hills on the edge of Florida’s Ocala National Forest and on the shores of a spring-fed lake available for year-round group rental. Climate controlled facilities for all of the Florida seasons. Each building is double “cabin” separated by large, clean formica bathrooms. Perfect for groups who have their own spiritual directors and simply need a retreat site that can accomodate their every whim.
KENTUCKY
The Abbey of Gethsemane
3642 Monks Road
Trappist, KY
(502)549-4133
www.monks.org
Trappist abbey in Kentucky was the home of the great twentieth century writer and spiritual leader, Thomas Merton. The monks open the abbey to guests for retreats. Guests are invited to participate in Eucharist and the different hours of prayer. Spiritual direction and reading are available. Alternate weeks for men and women. Only a free-will offering is asked.
MARYLAND
St. Jude Shrine
308 N. Paca St., Baltimore, MD
Young Adult Contact: Michele Barrick
(410) 685-6026, ext. 1339
The St. Jude Shrine offers outreach to Young Adults through discussion series, movie nights, day retreats, as well as volunteer service opportunities in the local Baltimore community. The Nationwide Center for St. Jude Devotions is located in downtown Baltimore, just outside the Inner Harbor waterfront area.
MASSACHUSETTS
Calvary Retreat Center
59 South St. , Shrewsbury, MA 01545
(508) 842-8821
Contact: Brother Edward Hall, C.P.
www.calvaryretreat.org
Individuals and groups of all ages and walks of life are welcome to attend this retreat house run by the Passionists. While each retreat has a schedule that helps participants to focus on a central theme, retreatants participate only as much as they choose. No one is required to attend all the events scheduled during the retreat, though all participants are welcome. Men’s and Women’s retreats begin on Friday evening with registration at 6:00 pm and a buffet supper at 6:30. We conclude with Sunday Mass celebrated at 11:00 am. (families are welcome to join us). The weekend includes presentations, workshops, prayer and Reconciliation services, opportunities for private conferences with a retreat team member, and plenty of free time for personal prayer or rest. All that is needed for a retreat is an overnight bag with casual clothes and personal toiletries. A comfortable room, towels, linens, and all meals are provided by the Retreat Center.
Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health
P.O. Box 793 West Street, Route 183
Lenox, MA
(800) 741-7353
www.kripalu.org
Kripalu is a beautiful stop in the Berkshire hills of western Massachusetts, near Tanglewood Music School. Completely devoted to yoga and holistic health, it is open to people of all religions and backgrounds. They have occasional retreats on yoga and Christian meditation led by a Catholic priest (Fr. Thomas Ryan, CSP is a frequent contributor). Children welcome but there are no programs for them. Vegetarian meals. Firm rules about behavior. Check out: http://www.kripalu.org/misc/basic.html.
Franciscan Center
459 River Road
Andover MA, 01810
(978) 851-339
http://www.franrcent.org/index.htm
Run by Franciscans, this house offers both individual retreats and various special programs, both as retreats and for the community. The programs pay special attention to women.
NEW JERSEY
Mount Paul Retreat Center
243 Mount Paul Road, Oak Ridge, NJ
(973) 697-6341
MountPaulNJ@cs.com
Facilitated by the Paulist Fathers, this former novitiate site now is a full-service retreat center. A lovely tranquil lake that’s wonderful for hiking around, is the centerpiece of the beautiful surroundings at Oak Ridge. The Charis Retreat Program, that is facilitated by the founders of BustedHalo.com uses this site most often for their retreat settings.
The Marianist Family Retreat Center
417 Yale Avenue
Cape May, NJ
(609) 884-3829
http://www.capemaymarianists.org
Retreats offered for families with children of all ages, women, men, couples, college students, and teens. Retreats reflect the Marianist commitment to the development of strong faith communities. Located near the ocean at Cape May in southern New Jersey.
Loyola Retreat House
161 James Steet
Morristown, NJ
(973) 539-0740
http://www.loyola.org/
Run by the Jesuits this house is terrific for personal directed retreats. They run eight day retreats as well as weekend retreats. Other highlights include internship and training programs.
The Romero Center: Catholic Social Justice Education
2907 Federal Street
Camden, NJ
(856) 964-9777
www.romero-center.org
This dynamic center for spirituality and social justice is located in the second poorest city in America as well as the richest state in the Union! It is the ideal place for individuals to look at our common call to social justice and service. They offer urban immersions, retreats, workshops, internships, and lectures on the integration of faith and work for social justice. The Romero Center began in 1998 and has offered well over 2000 high school, college/university, young adult and parish based groups an opportunity to look at urban poverty in these United States and to return to their own communities with a “bias from the bottom.”
NEW MEXICO
Monastery of Christ in the Desert
P.O. Box 270 Abiquiu, New Mexico 87510-0270
www.christdesert.org
Benedictine Monastery in the spare beauty of the New Mexican desert. Mesas and beautiful skies. Monks do internet sites as their work. Guests of the monastery are invited to join with the monks for common prayer, meals, and work. No spiritual direction available. The minimum stay is 2 days and 2 nights. A $50-75 donation per night is welcome. To make reservations, email guests@christdesert.org
Center for Action and Contemplation
P.O. Box 12464, Albuquerque, NM
(505) 242-1846
www.cacradicalgrace.org<
This dynamic center for spirituality and social justice lies in a poor neighborhood in Albuquerque. They offer retreats, workshops, internships, and lectures on the integration of faith and work for social justice. The Tepayac center nearby offers individual and small group retreats, morning prayer, and spiritual direction.
NEW YORK
St. Ignatius Jesuit Retreat Center (Inisfada Interfaith Zen Center)
251 Searingtown Road, Manhasset, NY
(516) 621-8300
www.inisfada.net
A beautiful retreat setting just outside of New York City. Inisfada (as it is known in some circles) provides many workshops on the Spiritual Excercises of Ignatius of Loyola and other self-development workshops. Many spiritual directed weekends are available. A
Jesuit serves as a Zen-master and offers many programs and retreats that integrate zen practice with Christian life. Other offerings include yoga, men’s and women’s retreats, and prayer retreats (such as praying during difficult emotional times).
Ronkonkoma Cenacle
310 Cenacle Rd./PO Box 4005
(631) 588-8366
Ronkonkoma Cenacle sits on 45 acres of land in the middle of Long Island, New York. The Sisters of the Cenacle offer a wide variety of opportunities for directed retreats, private retreats, and/or workshops. The Cenacle is dedicated to providing a place where women and men who desire to nurture their inner lives can gather to seek a deeper connection with God, other people and the natural world. Church and non-profit organizations whose purpose is in line with our mission are welcome to use our facility for retreats, workshops, and meetings.
Graymoor Spiritual Life Center
Route 9, Garrison, NY
(845) 424-3671
http://www.atonementfriars.org/
Just a 45 minute drive or train ride from New York City, Graymoor is a full-service retreat center operated by the Friars of the Atonement. Great for nature views, hikes,
and for simply reflecting on God’s presence amongst us. The site is particularly picturesque in the Fall with lots of great foliage surrounding the area. Friendly and helpful staff. Retreat offerings for those in recovery, married couples, young adults (Charis Retreats occasionally use the facility), and a whole lot more. A particularly fun “blessing of the animals” liturgy takes place every year with animals of all kind brought from neighboring farms. Great Sunday liturgy that’s welcome to all each week as well.
Mount Saviour Monastery
231 Monastery Road
Pine City, NY 14871-9787
(607) 734-1668
http://www.msaviour.org
A community of monks who strive to live and simple and genuine monastic life offer the peace and solitude of their monastery for the general public. Help the monks with their daily chores from time to time, enjoy the solitude, relax in bucolic upstate New York. Modest donation required. Strong sense of contemplation is found here where the monks come together to pray seven times per day.
Bethany Retreat House
202 County Route 105, P.O. Box 1003, Highland Mills, NY
(845) 928-2213
www.rc.net/newyork/bethany
Bordering on a breathtaking lake (which includes a lakeside cottage), this is a beautiful retreat center especially in the summer months when they have many weekend and day programs available. Individual retreats are also available throughout the year. Ask about the hermitages.
Passionist Spiritual Center
5801 Palisade Ave , Riverdale, NY 10471
(718) 549.6500
http://www.passionists.org/Retreats.htm
Retreats here are structured and scheduled, and they’re right in New York City. There’s something here for everyone, from law enforcement retreats to retreats on bereavement. There are also special men’s retreats and women’s retreats.
NORTH CAROLINA
Jesuit House of Prayer
P.O. Box 7, Hot Springs, NC
(828) 622-7366
email: vpaul@madison.main.nc.us
In the heart of Pisgah National Forest at Hot Springs, NC, daily eucharist and retreats
on the spiritual excercises of St. Ignatius (both directed and private retreats)
are available. Reflective atmosphere within much natural beauty is the highlight.
The Christian Family Living Retreat Center
Marianist Family Ministry, Inc.
2006 Wicker St., North Topsail Beach, NC
(910)328-1584
www.ChristianFamilyLiving.org
Guests are invited to participate in Eucharist and Reconciliation with a resident Marianist priest. Retreats reflect the Marianist commitment to the development of strong faith communities. Summer Family Programs offer week-long retreats for families with children of all ages. Year round weekend retreats fall, winter and spring for adults and/or families. All rooms are ocean view with private bath & AC. Private beach access. Fully handicap accessible.
OHIO
Milford Spiritual Center
5361 S. Milford Road, Milford, OH
(513) 248-3500
www.milfordspiritualcenter.org
A hefty schedule of retreats are always offered including journaling retreats, which have received high marks from many 20 and 30 somethings. Contemplative and Celtic retreats are also suggested. Located just outside of the Cincinnati area the Jesuits have several wonderful staff members here who can guide you on a very fruitful retreat experience.
PENNSYLVANIA
Kirkridge Retreat and Study Center
2495 Fox Gap Road, Bangor, PA
(610)588-1793
www.kirkridge.org
This ecumenical retreat house has a long tradition of integrating spirituality and action for social justice. Located just over the gorgeous Delaware Water Gap, the site boasts comfortable accommodations and beautiful vistas. $57-78 per night per person. Programmed as well as private retreats.
Center for Marianist Spirituality and Communities
1431 N. Delaware Ave., Philadelphia, PA
(215) 634-4116
http://www.marianist-cmsc.org/
Offers a parish retreat aimed at families with young children. Themes for the family retreat are: affirmation, communication, reconciliation, and commitment.
Franciscan Spiritual Center
609 S. Convent Road, Aston, PA 19014
(610) 558-6152
http://fscaston.org/
This retreat center partners with a local young adult group to host their Advent and Lent young adult afternoons of reflection. According to a friend of the site, the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia, who run the center, have excellent relationships with young adults.
Villa Maria Retreat Center
PO Box 424, Villa Maria, PA
(724) 964-8920 x 3358
http://villamaria.tripod.com
Run by the Sisters of Humility of Mary this facility contains a swimming pool, fitness room. and art house. The expansive grounds offer opportunities for long expansive walks or simply contemplation in a natual environment. Their introduction to Christian Meditation retreat has received praise from many.
SOUTH CAROLINA
Mepkin Abbey
1098 Mepkin Abbey Road, Moncks Corner, SC
(843) 761-8509
www.mepkinabbey.org
This traditional Trappist monastery, not far from Charleston, has recently made a particular effort to remodel and welcome guests. Since a new abbot (a famous organist) took office in 1991, it has become a popular spiritual stop for Catholics and those from other faith traditions. It was the subject of a PBS documentary called “Trappist”
and accompanying coffee table book.
WISCONSIN
“Friends of God” Dominican Ashram
720 35th Street, Kenosha, WI
(262) 658-1062 (only between 2-3 p.m., Central Time)
This is (strangely, perhaps) an ashram owned and operated by Catholics. An ashram is a safe house for meditation in the Eastern religious traditions. There are actually many Christian ashrams in India (but few in the U.S.). The Dominican order runs this baby, on Lake Michigan between Chicago and Milwaukee. Guests are welcome, but its strictly contemplative here. Very quietwith meditation in common, morning, evening, and night prayer. One mid-day meal served (you can talk)otherwise pick-up. Donation according to your means. Dedicated to the mystic St. Catherine of Siena. Email them at ashram@dominicans.org
