Spiritual Retreat s March 7, 2014 11 March 7, 2014 The Diocese of & Outlying Areas Retreat centers located in the Diocese of Bishop Robert E. Tracy The Bishop Robert E. Tracy is available for spiritual renewal and growth, professional training, and adult and youth formation. As part of the Catholic Life, the Tracy can provide space for day and overnight retreats, and conferences. The three-story Tracy overnight facility has 30 sleeping rooms. Each of 24 rooms can accommodate up to four people. Five of the six suites consist of a bedroom with two single beds (one king if beds are joined) and a sitting room with two sofa sleepers. The smaller suite has one bedroom with two single beds and a love seat and chair in the sitting area. All rooms have a private bath. The Westerfield Conference, adjacent to the overnight facility, is a state-ofthe-art meeting facility with audio/visual technology. The conference center provides space for 120 people or can be divided into three separate meeting areas for smaller groups. The Tracy Education Building has eight rooms available for day retreats, workshops or breakout sessions. Also available are two chapels, a lounge area, an auditorium that has fixed theatre-style seating for 196, another auditorium that can seat up to 500 people, and three dining rooms. A full-time kitchen staff provides all meals and snacks. The Tracy welcomes private groups, prayer groups, small Christian communities and Bible-study groups. Though there is no spiritual director on staff, retreatants may bring their own director. Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Phone 225-242-0222; email tracycen ter@diobr.org; mailing address P. O. Box 2028,, LA 70821-2028. Directions: I-10 to Acadian Thruway exit; go north 3/4 of a mile. The Catholic Life and Bishop Robert E. Tracy are on the left. Magnificat of the Holy Spirit Ponchatoula Magnificat of the Holy Spirit provides a relaxed setting for all types of retreats. Opened in 1982, the center provides housing for retreatants in dormitory-style facilities. Located in the pine forest of the Florida Parishes, the center has 30 acres of wooded grounds for inspirational walks and porches for quiet reflection. The center offers a conference room with seating for up to 100 people, a dining hall and a small chapel in the main building. Along with booked retreats tailored especially for any and all Christian groups, Magnificat offers Days of Renewal on the last Thursday of each month from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Phone 800-531-9710 or 985-386-5815; mailing address 23629 Faith Road, Ponchatoula, LA 70454. Directions: I-12 to exit 47; south on Roberts Road (Hwy. 45); right on Hwy. 22; left on Hwy. 445 (Lee s Landing Road). Magnificat is 1.5 miles on the right. Manresa House of Retreats Convent Manresa House of Retreats opened in 1929 as a retreat center for men. Since then, the Jesuit-run center has become a favorite retreat facility for men in the South. Manresa sits on 130 wooded acres along the Mississippi River. Manresa offers sleeping accommodations for 111, all having private bath facilities; a main chapel and four reflection chapels; a library; gardens and shrines. All retreats are in the manner of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola. While most of the retreats are preached retreats for men, some spaces are available for individually directed retreats for men and women. For more information, call between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Phone 800-782-9431; website manre sala.org; mailing address P.O. Box 89, Convent, LA 70723-0089. Directions: I-10 to Sorrento/Donaldsonville exit 182; south on Hwy. 22; left onto Hwy. 70 and left onto Hwy. 3125; right onto Hwy. 4214; and left at Hwy. 44 (River Road); continue five miles. Manresa is on the left. Mary s House Tickfaw Mary s House in Tickfaw is the latest retreat center to open in the Diocese of Baton Rouge, debuting in 2011. Tucked away in scenic Tangipahoa Parish, the center, which has no religious order affiliation, offers a wooded pathway providing those on retreat a serene setting for reflection and prayer. There are also several statues with meditation seating. The center can sleep 35, with two private rooms and the remainder of the rooms double occupancy. Additionally, there is a private apartment for a priest or retreat master. Amenities include a library, chapel, meeting room, media room, outdoor patio, and a gathering area with a barbecue pit. The staff includes a full-time caretaker and staff members are available 24 hours a day during retreats. All are welcome but it is not open to children under the age of 18. Phone 985-635-0333, Monday-Thursday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Directions: I-12 East to Exit 159; north on I-55; Take Tickfaw exit, turn left onto Highway 442; Turn right onto Antioch Road, retreat center is on the right. Rosaryville Spirit Life Ponchatoula Rosaryville Spirit Life is located approximately 45 miles east of Baton Rouge off of Hwy. 22 in Ponchatoula. Situated on 500-manicured acres of a 1,700acre tract, it is a place for renewal of spirit, mind and body. Visitors can stroll the beautiful grounds, tour the facilities and see the picnic area complete with tables, pool and bathhouse. Beneath a canopy of trees along the Meditation Path stand outdoor shrines, grottos and Stations of the Cross. There is also a covered dock on the two-acre pond, a perfect place for reflection. Rosaryville is staffed by the Dominican Sisters of Peace, formerly the Congregation of St. Mary, and their lay colleagues. Rosaryville Spirit Life began in 1981, when the community of professed sisters in residence returned to a newly renovated motherhouse in New Orleans. It was at this time the congregation began its ministry of hosting and/or sponsoring retreats, days of prayer, workshops and other activities for religious, clergy and laity. Rosary Hall, erected in 1955, is a threestory building. On the first floor are offices, an informal gathering area, three dining rooms and two kitchens. On the SEE INSIDE PAGE 12
12 SPIRITUAL RETREATS March 7, 2014 INSIDE FROM PAGE 11 second floor are a library, an audio-visual center, a small conference room, a suite for visiting retreat directors, the Holy Rosary Chapel and a smaller area, the Upper Room, that may be used for workshops and/ or conferences for groups from 35 to 50 people. On the third floor are eight semi-private rooms and semi-private baths. St. John Hall, erected in 1966, is adjacent to Rosary Hall and houses a large conference room, a small parlor, the gift shop, the massage therapy room and 34 private and semi-private bedrooms. Kateri Hall has nine dormitory rooms with bunk beds. Seven rooms can sleep eight each, and the two remaining rooms can sleep four each. The hall has a spacious recreation/conference room and separate bathrooms with showers for boys and girls. It is ideal for youth groups and Rosaryville s Camp Kateri for boys and girls each summer. There is also a sports court adjacent to Kateri Hall as well as ample space for outdoor games. Shalom House is a one-story, self-contained hermitage. It has sleeping capacity for six, a fully equipped kitchen, two bathrooms, washer/dryer and a large worktable. It is ideal for those seeking an extended private retreat or for small groups needing a meeting facility. Rosaryville hosts retreats, conferences and events planned by church and civic organizations. It also sponsors retreats, workshops, prayer days, as well as directed and/or individual retreats. Massage therapy and individual spiritual direction are two programs offered by Sister Mary Noel OP, who is a nationally certified massage therapist and a spiritual director. Phone 225-294-5039 ext. 102; email rosaryville102@charter.net; website rosaryvillela.com; mailing address 39003 Rosaryville Rd., Ponchatoula, LA 70454. Directions: I-12 to Pumpkin exit 35; turn south; at Hwy. 22 turn left; go two miles to Rosaryville Road; turn right, go one mile to the Rosaryville gate. Welcome to the Bishop Robert E. Tracy An Overnight Retreat Meet your meeting space needs: 30 retreat style-sleeping accommodations with private baths Sleeps up to 120 comfortably 2 chapels on site Peaceful courtyard area Educational building with 8 classrooms Classrooms with seating up to 100 Westerfield Conference with state of the art A/V with seating for up to 120 Theatre Style Auditorium, fixed seating for up to 196 Main Ballroom/Auditorium, holds up to 500 Professional Training, renewal, growth, YouTh & adult formation Call us for a tour of this wonderful facility 225-242-0222 or 225-387-0561 Fax 225-242-0134 Email tracycenter@diobr.org 1800 South Acadian Thruway,, located on the campus of the Catholic Life Debra Clement, Manager Craig Michelet, Director St. Joseph Spirituality Since 1984, the St. Joseph Spirituality has offered a variety of retreat options based on Ignatian spirituality, including a nine-month program on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius in Daily Life, as well as a program that integrates one s spirituality and justice work in the world. Staff members offer ongoing private spiritual direction by appointment. Other programs, such as half-day events or retreats on Friday evenings and Saturdays, are held at the St. Joseph Academy Mother Alice Hall. Staff members are also available as guest directors at retreat centers throughout the country and conduct on-site retreats and programs in area church parishes. There are no overnight accommodations. The center welcomes all people who are seeking to deepen their faith life, regardless of their particular faith tradition. The St. Joseph Spirituality, a ministry of the Congregation of St. Joseph, has as its purpose the promotion of religious education and spiritual development of adults. This includes activities that foster the wholeness and holiness of each person, which leads to a deepening and effective consciousness of the role of the Christian in the world. Services offered include: workshops that promote instruction in Scripture, theology and prayer; workshops geared to self-understanding and improving relationships; days of prayer and retreats of longer duration, both preached and directed; private spiritual direction and pastoral counseling. For information about the St. Joseph Spirituality, call the office from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Thursday and 9 till noon on Fridays. Phone 225-383-3349; email dianne@stjo ecenter.org; website stjoecenter. org; mailing address 2980 Klein- SEE INSIDE PAGE 14
March 7, 2014 SPIRITUAL RETREATS 11 13 Retreat centers outside the diocese of Archdiocese of New Orleans Retreat Metairie, La. The Archdiocese of New Orleans Retreat, dedicated to Our Lady of the Cenacle, continues the tradition of the Cenacle Sisters begun in 1958 of providing a place to nurture the soul. Its location on the south shore of Lake Ponchartrain in Metairie offers a serene environment for spiritual contemplation. This is an ideal setting to hold overnight retreats, days of prayer or staff reflection days. Located about an hour east of, 15 minutes west of New Orleans, the Retreat has a chapel, dining room with buffet-style meals, a meeting hall, a library, a large parlor and several breakout rooms. Up to 50 guests in private rooms with private and semi-private bath facilities can be accommodated at the retreat house. The 12-landscaped acres offer grounds conducive to prayer and reflection that nurture spiritual lives. For more information, call from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Phone 504-887-1420; email retreats@arch-no.org; website retreats.arch-no.org/metairie; mailing address 5500 St. Mary St., Metairie, LA 70006. Directions: From Baton Rouge, take I-10 east to Williams Blvd. exit; go north to West Esplanade Avenue, turn right; travel on West Esplanade Avenue to the U-turn before Transcontinental Blvd.; make the U-turn; travel four blocks to St. Mary St.; turn right. The Cenacle s driveway is at the end of St. Mary St. Christian Life St. Benedict, La. Located four miles north of Covington on the grounds of St. Joseph Abbey, the Christian Life is open to individuals and groups seeking peace and recollection in a monastic setting suitable to their spirituality. St. Joseph Abbey is home to the Benedictine monks, who conduct Retreat League Weekends approximately 26 times per year for men, women and married couples. On the remaining weekends and during the week, the Christian Life is open to groups for religious, educational and charitable purposes. The center has accommodations for 41 persons in modest but comfortable private rooms with private baths. Guest rooms, a chapel, a library and a dining room are located in the center. The larger St. Joseph Abbey Church is located on the grounds. The 1,200 acres of pined woods and tranquil ponds offer retreatants the opportunity for quiet and reflective leisure. The center strives to continue the tradition set down more than 14 centuries ago by St. Benedict, who believed that the stranger or guest who comes to the monastery gate is to be received as Christ, but, it reserves the right to decide which programs meet the stated goals of the facility. Phone 985-892-3473; website saintjosephabbey.com/clc; email clc@sjac.edu; mailing address Christian Life, St. Joseph Abbey, St. Benedict, LA 70457. Directions: Take I-12 to exit 63-B Covington (U.S. Hwy. 190) north; continue past Hwy. 437 to Hwy. 25 (traffic light); continue north on Hwy. 25 about 300 yards; turn right on Airport Road and continue to the stop sign; turn left onto River Road; travel to the sign for St. Joseph Abbey and turn right onto the bridge. Our Lady of the Oaks Retreat House Grand Coteau, La. The preached retreats offered to men, women and couples at Our Lady of the Oaks Retreat House are facilitated by Jesuit priests and trained lay-guest directors. Adjacent to historic St. Charles College, (housing the Jesuit Spirituality and Jesuit Novitiate) and St. Charles Borromeo Church, the grounds of Our Lady of the Oaks invite meditative walks on hundreds of acres of oak and pine trees and flowering shrubs. Other features include two chapels, a bookstore and a reading room. Overnight accommodations include private rooms with private or shared bathrooms. For more information about the retreats and programs available, call Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 12 noon and 1 to 4 p.m. Phone 337-662-5410; website ourladyoftheoaks.com; email admin@ourladoftheoaks.com; mailing address P. O. Drawer D, Grand Coteau, LA 70541. Directions: From take I-10 to Lafayette; take I-49 north; go approximately 12 miles to Sunset/Grand Coteau exit 11 (Hwy. 93); turn right at the exit and go about 2 blocks; turn right on Martin Luther King Drive; go two blocks and turn left at the traffic light; Our Lady of the Oaks Retreat House entrance is the third driveway to the right, past the church and school. Jesuit Spirituality Grand Coteau, La. The Jesuit Spirituality located in the heart of Acadiana, 11 miles north of Lafayette on I-49, is open to men and women of all faiths. The former St. Charles College became the Jesuit Novitiate in 1922 and a retreat center in 1972, providing a quiet and restful environment for those seeking to listen and respond to God with generosity and openness through the experience of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola. The century-old building, located on 900 acres of farmland, has undergone a complete interior and exterior renovation in the past two years. It now provides 33 rooms with private baths and individual air control, as well as new furnishings. Year-round offerings of three-, five-, eight- and 30-day individually directed retreats, and a variety of weekend programs and retreats, are scheduled through the center. An individually directed retreat differs from the more common group or preached retreat in that the retreatant meets privately each day with a spiritual director. In these sessions, the director listens to the retreatant s description of what has happened in prayer since the day before and then selects additional exercises and Scripture passages to assist the retreatant in the journey of faith as a companion of Jesus. The has a labyrinth, a swimming pool, bicycle and walking paths and roads, several SEE OUTSIDE PAGE 14 Jesus, help me to simplify my life by learning what you want me to be and becoming that person. St. Therese of Lisieux Lumen Christi Retreat 100 Lumen Christi Court, Hwy. 311 Schriever, LA 70395 Seminars Days of Renewal Parish Workshops Specialized Retreats Youth Retreats Retreats for Men and Women For More Information, Call (985) 868-1523 or Fax (985) 868-1525 Mary s House Retreat 50352 Antioch Rd., Tickfaw, LA 70466 Amid the majestic pines, and the area s natural beauty, lies a land permeated with the Holy Spirit through years of prayer. For many years it was once a peaceful and tranquil home to the Benedictine Sisters. Now a very special retreat center awaits you. Let us follow Mary with Retreats Days of Prayers Spiritual Direction Mary s House: it is in silence that the spirit speaks. For INFORMATION and RESERVATION contact FOCUS TV (985) 635-0333 www.maryshouserc.com RosaRyville Spirit Life Rosaryville is a sanctuary of peace and beauty ideal for: Retreats Workshops Days of Prayer Seminars Corporate and Community Meetings Family Reunions Youth Retreats Family and School Picnics Programs for Clergy, Religious and Laity. We also offer Massage Therapy and Spiritual Direction. Visit our website to learn more about upcoming programs and Camp Kateri 2013, our summer camp for boys and girls. Rosaryville Spirit Life 39003 Rosaryville Rd. Ponchatoula, LA 70454-7001 225-294-5039 rosaryville102@charter.net www.rosaryvillela.com
14 SPIRITUAL RETREATS March 7, 2014 OUTSIDE FROM PAGE 13 chapels, a bookstore and a large meeting room that can accommodate up to 80 people. Phone 337-662-5251 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information or to request a brochure detailing upcoming events; website jesuitspiritu alitycenter.org; email office@jesuitspiri tualitycenter.org; mailing address St. Charles College, P.O. Box C, Grand Coteau, LA 70541-1003. Directions: From : I-10 west to I-49 north at Lafayette; about 10 miles to the Sunset/Grand Coteau exit 11 (Hwy. 93); turn right and follow Martin Luther King Drive (Hwy. 93). The center is on the left, at 313 M. L. King Dr. Lumen Christi Retreat Schriever, La. Since 1985, the Lumen Christi Retreat has offered spiritual renewal and development options such as women s and men s retreats, Teens Encounter Christ and First Friday Day of Prayer. Churches and groups also host retreats and workshops, providing their own speakers and developing their own theme and schedule. The center is committed to the universal mission of Jesus Christ. Through a ministry of hospitality, spiritual retreats, preaching and renewal programs, Lumen Christi Retreat aims to illumine Christ s presence and to be a source of spiritual life and strength. The center provides a peaceful setting for guests to slow down and be sensitive to the presence of God. Surrounded by woods, the 50-acre retreat center features a pond with benches, an outdoor Stations of the Cross and two gazebos for those seeking the beauty and meditative solitude of the outdoors. Indoor facilities include an adult center and a youth center, full kitchen and dining room, library, conference room, chapel and two penance rooms that can accommodate five people each. The corridors and private rooms display more than 100 oil paintings of local topics by local artists. The adult center can accommodate 80 overnight guests in double rooms with private bath facilities. The youth center, which also accommodates family retreats, confirmation retreats and youth leadership programs, is ideal for groups who desire dormitory living. It can accommodate 100 overnight guests in bunk beds with common bath facilities. For more information or to request a brochure, call the Lumen Christi Retreat Monday through Friday, between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. Phone 985-868-1523; mailing address 100 Lumen Christi Court, Schriever, LA 70395. Directions: From take Hwy. 1 to Thibodaux; in Thibodaux take Hwy. 24 to Houma; outside of Thibodaux make a right turn at St. Bridget s Church (about one mile past the overpass); turn left onto Hwy. 311 and continue past the Diocesan Pastoral. Look for the Lumen Christi signs on the left. Prairie Ronde Cursillo Opelousas, La. Prairie Ronde Cursillo is open on weekends for Catholic men and women only. Cursillo means a short course in Christianity. The Cursillos are scheduled for men and for women on separate weekends throughout the year. Overnight facilities are available for up to 60 people in a dormitory-type setting, with shared bathrooms and showers. Separate housing is available for priests or deacons leading retreats. There is a chapel and a bookstore with an area for reading. Handicapped facilities are available. Each person will need a sponsor for the weekend. The local contacts to assist with that are Vicky LaHaye 225-273-2152 or Linda Daigle 225-627-6448. Phone 337-543-7425; website whowill sit.com; mailing address 3651 Hwy. 104, Opelousas, LA 70570-1808. St. Charles Lake Charles, La. Opened in 1996 and operated by the Diocese of Lake Charles, the St. Charles offers preached and directed retreats in addition to a variety of other programs. Located near the Calcasieu River, the center provides a deep woods setting with walks along the swamp leading to the river. Accommodations include separate facilities for 72 adults and 78 youth in double-occupancy rooms. Bath facilities are private on the adult side and shared on the youth side. Other amenities include three libraries, the Chapel of the Assumption, two small conference rooms for 50 people, two large conference rooms for more than 100 people and a dining room. The center is staffed by spiritual directors and retreat directors and is open to people of all denominations. For more information, call 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (closed between noon and 1 p.m.), Monday through Friday. Phone 337-855-1232; website live.lcdio cese.org/retreats; mailing address 2151 Sam Houston Jones Pkwy., Lake Charles, LA 70611. Directions: I-10 to Lake Charles; take exit 33 to Hwy. 171; travel 5 miles to Hwy. 378; turn left onto Hwy. 378; travel 2.5 miles; entrance is on the left. INSIDE FROM PAGE 12 ert Ave.,, LA 70806. Directions: I-10 to exit 157B Acadian Thruway; go north to Broussard St., turn left; go one block to Parker St., turn right; go one block to Kleinert Ave., turn left.
March 7, 2014 SPIRITUAL RETREATS 11 15 women play role in saving retreat center By Richard Meek Although the Archdiocese of New Orleans Retreat sits on 19 tree-lined acres in Metairie, its roots are embedded in the Diocese of Baton Rouge. According to figures released by the archdiocese, at least 40 percent of women who attend retreats at the center, formerly known as the Cenacle Retreat House, are from the area. There s nothing like it, said Claudette St. Amant, a resident who has been attending retreats at the center for the past 14 years. It s my heart, said Kathy Screen, spiritual director at St. Aloysius Church who has been attending retreats at the Cenacle for 40-plus years. When the future of the center was in peril after the Cenacle Sisters, who had operated the center since it opened in 1958, announced in October 2012 the facility would close and the land sold, women from the area helped rally supporters to keep it open. Through letter writing campaigns, the women joined many others from New Orleans and the surrounding area petitioning Archbishop Gregory M. Aymond to buy the property and maintain it as a retreat center. A shortage of available nuns to adequately staff the retreat center prompted its closing and eventual sale. We were so worried that we would not have a center like this to go to in the Gulf Coast area, Screen said. It s been a lifeline for me and so many people. Sealed bids were solicited by the sisters, and in June they announced the property would be sold to the archdiocese for $6 million. We were very blessed when we heard the news, St. Amant said. Retreats continued through August and the sisters vacated the house at the end of October. The archdiocese took control with a new staff Nov. 1, and retreats resumed Jan. 1, said Dr. Paul Ceasar, director of the retreat center. At first I think there was some hesitancy (from the archdiocese) because of the expense and taking on a whole ministry of retreats, Ceasar said. But there was so much support for the archdiocese to do it, they went ahead and made a bid, and I think the sisters really wanted the ministry to continue. That fit into what they wanted, too. Ceasar said he is overwhelmed by the support of women from the area. Not only do they account for a significant number of retreatants, Screen and two additional women from the area several years ago formed The Friends of the Cenacle, a fund raising organization that picked up the tab for the remodeling of the dining room, complete with new flooring, tables and chairs. The organization was also successful in a campaign that allowed the sisters to refurbish many of the center s rooms, including having sheets, pillows, towels and mattresses donated. Screen said the organization raised money by selling plaques for $500 that were placed in a room with either the donor s name or the name of a loved one. The plaques are in place for 10 years. The support of the Baton Rouge Diocese has been tremendous, Ceasar said. (The retreatants) were dedicated to the retreat movement, and they formed bonds with the Cenacle sisters. They had such a positive experience that they wanted to continue that. As a captain, St. Amant said part of her responsibility is to recruit women to attend the silent retreats, which are held Friday evening through early Sunday afternoon. Once the sale was complete, she said she was able to meet with the new ministry team, who assured her the integrity of the building and services would be maintained. I really felt comforted by that, she said I could tell my retreatents that we will know it the same way they have always known it. That s a beautiful feeling. Prayer services are the same. Reconciliation services are held the same way. The integrity of the silence. Everything they are doing is kept in the same spirit as the The cost of remodeling the dining room at the Archdiocese of New Orleans Retreat was paid for with funds raised by the Friends of the Cenacle, a fund-raising organization started by women from the Diocese of. The organization also helped refurbish the center s rooms with new linens, towels and mattresses by donations raising funds. Photo by Richard Meek Cenacle sisters. Ceasar said plans are being discussed to expand services, perhaps even offering retreats for men and married couples. The building is nearly 32,000 square feet and has more than 50 bedrooms. Also being considered are plans for father-son and mother-daughter retreats. We live in a society that is so busy and distracting, he said. Between the Internet and pressures put on people with dual careers, we live in a time where it s really important for people to step back and just be quiet and listen to God and be in God s presence, whatever that means for them. Noel Delery, a native who is now the center s spiritual director, said the response has been positive. I hope to see people who have not experienced it before to come and experience the Lord in a deeper way so they can grow in a deeper relationship with him, she said. We are trying to meet the needs of a busy society. With the threat of sale diffused, St. Amant said her focus is returning to what she calls her sacred ground and be spiritually nourished. When I walk on that sacred ground, I m immediately in God s presence, she said. It s the best gift I give myself all year, Screen said It s beautiful. Manresa House of Retreats 5858 La. Highway 44 Convent, Louisiana 70723 1-800-782-9431 www.manresala.org