Sponsored Retreats 2022
June 26-July 1st “Icon Writing Retreat” with Jody Cole, BA.
The sacred craft of icon writing draws upon art and religion that combine in a prayer of the hands. Icons are windows to heaven, the created works are symbols of looking into the heavenly realm, communicating with a person, and uniting our prayers to heaven.
Jody Cole presents this popular retreat once again this summer, leading participants in a prayerful and reflective study into the art and practice of iconography. Jody mentors participants gently and caringly as they begin their artistic endeavors or continue to develop their skills in this classical religious art form.
Jody has studied with seven iconographers over the years, and she has conducted icon
writing workshops and retreats for over twenty years. The cost for this retreat includes
all necessary art supplies. Donation: $525 per person.
ST. FRANCIS RETREAT HOUSE ▪ 3918 CHIPMAN ROAD ▪ EASTON, PA 18045 ▪ 610-258-3053
WEEK-LONG RETREAT: ARRIVAL: 4 PM SUNDAY / DEPARTURE: AFTER LUNCH ON FRIDAY
WEEKEND RETREAT: ARRIVAL: 4 PM FRIDAY / DEPARTURE: AFTER LUNCH ON SUNDAY
ONSITE PRICING INCLUDES: Private room with bath, all meals, and materials. Please notify us with any accessibility needs or special dietary requirements. Suggested donation for virtual participation for weekend retreats: $80. [No virtual link for icon retreat and no commuter rate for these retreats.]
TO REGISTER: 610-258-3053 x 10, please register 14 days prior to the retreat. Thank you. NOTE: Scholarship money for those needing assistance to make a retreat is available. Please contact Fr. Henry at 610-258-3053, ext. 13. .
Jeanne will guide the retreatants through four principles that enable us to thrive in the midst of turmoil. The presentations are rooted in Franciscan spirituality and provide a simple, yet profound, answer to the discovery of still waters. Jeanne will lead each of these four sessions with wisdom and humor as we reflect and pray together.
Jeanne is presently the Director of Religious Education at Our Lady of the Visitation Church in Cincinnati, Ohio. She has been serving in this position since 2012. Earlier in her career she worked in the Office of Religious Education for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. She has an MA in Theology-Religious Studies from the Athenaeum of Ohio. Jeanne is also the author of eight books, and she teaches at the University of Dayton, Dayton, OH, in the Religious Studies area.
ST. FRANCIS RETREAT HOUSE ▪ 3918 CHIPMAN ROAD ▪ EASTON, PA 18045 ▪ 610-258-3053
WEEKEND RETREAT: ARRIVAL: 4 PM FRIDAY / DEPARTURE: AFTER LUNCH ON SUNDAY
ONSITE PRICING INCLUDES: Private room with bath, all meals, and materials. Please notify us with any accessibility needs or special dietary requirements. The fee for onsite participation for this retreat is $270, and the fee for virtual participation is $80. [There is no commuter rate for our SFRH weekend retreats.] TO REGISTER: 610-258-3053 x 10, or on our SFRH WEBSITE: www.stfrancisretreathouse.org, please register 14 days prior to the retreat. Thank you. NOTE: Scholarship money for those needing assistance to make a retreat is available. Please contact Fr. Henry at 610-258-3053, ext. 13.
September 16-18, 2022
As people who serve and accompany others, we often find it hard to slow down and recognize the movement of God in our own lives. Refining our skills of theological reflection is one critical way to attune our hearts to God’s presence and stay grounded on our journey of faith.
In 2014, Pope Francis said, “Our God is a God of Surprises…” with this in mind, Dr. Christina Zaker will guide us to reflect on God’s movement in our lives. Drawing from the wisdom of the Parables, she will encourage us to recognize God’s surprising nearness, to explore what that nearness means and what it demands of us Christians.
Our time together will include input, conversation, reflection, and shared wisdom that encourages each of us to ask, as Pope Francis suggests, “Am I open to a God of Surprises?”
Christina R. Zaker, D.Min: Director of Field Education and Adjunct Lecturer in Pastoral Ministry and Spirituality at Catholic Theological Union, Chicago, Illinois.
Christina has served at Catholic Theological Union since 2014. She is a practical theologian with a focus on cultivating reflective practitioners in a variety of settings. Her past work in campus ministry, as the Executive Director of Amate House for the Archdiocese of Chicago, and in parish ministry lend to her ability to journey with students in their field education experiences.
Her recent book, Surprised by God: Teaching Reflection through the Parables, develops parable as a lens for theological reflection with a focus on reflective practice that intersects with justice. Surprised by God: Teaching Reflection through the Parables (Rowman & Littlefield, 2020)
Christina also teaches in the Spirituality and Pastoral Ministry Department. Family spirituality is the cornerstone of her research in spirituality, primarily exploring how the spirituality of a family unit adjusts through life. In addition to her book, she has written numerous articles and book chapters and is a frequent speaker and retreat director.
Christina is a member of the Association for Theological Field Educators and the National Association of Lay Ministers. She is married to Christopher Zaker, and they have four children.
Contact: czaker@ctu.edu
ST. FRANCIS RETREAT HOUSE ▪ 3918 CHIPMAN ROAD ▪ EASTON, PA 18045 ▪ 610-258-3053
WEEKEND RETREAT: ARRIVAL: 4 PM FRIDAY / DEPARTURE: AFTER LUNCH ON SUNDAY
ONSITE PRICING INCLUDES: Private room with bath, all meals, and materials. Please notify us with any accessibility needs or special dietary requirements. The fee for onsite participation for this retreat is $285, and the fee for virtual participation is $100. [There is no commuter rate for our SFRH weekend retreats.]
St. Francis Retreat House Easton PA 