Trenton Diocesan Spiritual Center and Retreat House
Trenton Diocesan Spiritual Center and Retreat House
IN PERSON AND ZOOM UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED
IN-PERSON AND ON ZOOM
GOD'S CALL: THE MEANING OF LIFE
Wednesday, June 25 9:30 AM – noon
Explore ways to deepen God's Personal call which evolves throughout the years, giving identity and meaning to your life. Donation: $25
IN-PERSON ONLY
PERSONAL RETREAT DAY
Monday, June 30
9:30 AM – 2:30 PM
Take a day away from the busyness of your life to rest a while in the Lord and experience God’s presence. Come to Francis House for silence, personal prayer, and optional spiritual direction. The day begins and ends with a brief prayer together. Please bring your lunch. Donation: $10; $40 with spiritual direction.
IN-PERSON ONLY
YOUNG ADULT (AGES 19 – 30) PRAYER AND POOL RETREAT
Monday, June 30 7:00 – 9:00 PM (6:30 - 7:15 PM Pool)
Enjoy a beautiful evening of prayer and reflection as you experience the Scriptures by placing yourself in the scenes of Gospel passages. Snacks provided. Donation: $15
IN PERSON AND ZOOM UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED
IN-PERSON ONLY
A SUMMER DIP INTO CENTERING PRAYER
Tuesday, July 1 9:30 AM – 3:00 PM
Come take a dip into the ocean of God’s love with a retreat day of Centering Prayer. Spending a day with God in Centering Prayer is truly refreshing and will set a
contemplative tone to your enjoyment of summer. There is nothing quite like a day of Centering Prayer together! Please bring your own lunch. Donation: $30
IN-PERSON ONLY
PERSONAL RETREAT DAYS
Thursday, July 17
Wednesday, July 23
9:30 AM – 2:30 PM
Take a day away from the busyness of your life to rest a while in the Lord and experience God’s presence. Come to Francis House for silence, personal prayer, and optional spiritual direction. The day begins and ends with a brief prayer together. Please bring your lunch. Donation: $10; $40 with spiritual direction.
IN-PERSON AND ON ZOOM
A MORNING WITH JESUS’ PARABLES
Thursday, July 10
9:30 AM - Noon
Discover Parables in a new way! During this morning retreat, we will meditate on a few parables that will help us to reflect upon and connect our lives to Jesus’ message. Donation: $25
IN-PERSON ONLY
YOUNG ADULT* (AGES 19 – 30) DINNER & RETREAT: AWARENESS OF GOD’S CALL
Wednesday, July 16
6:30 - 9:00 PM
If you are curious about God’s call, its meaning and ways to become aware, please join us! We will begin with a delicious dinner at 6:30 PM followed by music, animated discussions
and prayer together. Donation: $25
IN-PERSON AND ON ZOOM
LESSONS FROM THE LITTLE PRINCE
Tuesday, July 22
9:30 AM - Noon
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery is full of precious life lessons. We will discuss together the main lessons which are a major part of living our lives full of love
and compassion for one another. Donation: $25
IN-PERSON AND ON ZOOM
LETTING GO OF WORRY
Wednesday, July 30
9:30 AM - Noon
“Worry is useless,” says the Lord. Although we’ve heard that many times, worry seems to be an all-pervasive disease that we have all caught! I’m hoping you will come so we can pray through this epidemic together. Prayer changes things, you know! Donation: $25
IN PERSON AND ZOOM UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED
SIMPLICITY
Friday, August 1
9:30 AM - Noon
Follow the holy path of simplicity through the lives of St. Teresa of Calcutta, Dorothy Day & St. Therese of Lisieux. With their lives as examples, we will discover God’s love flowing into everyday moments. Donation: $25
IN-PERSON AND ON ZOOM
PRAY & PLAY WITH “THE POTTER’S WHEEL”
Tuesday, August 5
9:30 AM - Noon
Join us for a time of contemplation with the scripture passage of “The Potter’s Wheel.” We will use the story for prayer and reflection as well as some time for real play with clay. Donation: $25, includes clay.
IN-PERSON AND ON ZOOM
OUR LADY, UNDOER OF KNOTS
Tuesday, August 12
9:30 AM - Noon
Blessed Mother is Our Lady, Undoer of Knots! We will spend this morning reflecting on the grace of being loved so deeply and asking for help in an “undoing of the knots” of our lives. Time will be given for personal reflection and prayer. Donation: $25
IN-PERSON ONLY
PERSONAL RETREAT DAY
Wednesday, August 27
9:30 AM – 2:30 PM
Take a day away from the busyness of your life to rest a while in the Lord and experience God’s presence. Come to Francis House for silence, personal prayer, and optional spiritual direction. The day begins and ends with a brief prayer together. Please bring your lunch. Donation: $10; $40 with spiritual direction.
IN PERSON AND ZOOM UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED
GETTING TO KNOW YOU!
THE HEART AND SOUL OF POPE LEO XIV
Thursday, September 4 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM
We will start out our one-day programs this year by getting to know our new Pope Leo! We will read, pray and discuss 3 of Pope Leo’s homilies as our way of coming to know his heart and mind and the desires he has for the world. I have chosen his first homily on May 9, his inaugural homily on May 11 and his Pentecost homily on June 8 for us to enjoy. Led by S. Marcy. Donation: $25, includes lunch. Zoom: $20.
JOY OF GRANDPARENTING
Monday, September 8 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Continue to celebrate the blessings of grandparenting at
this morning retreat! Together, we will recognize the graces of this role, which include all relationships in which we are or “adopted” in their hearts as grandparents. We will use Grandparenting with Grace. Led by Jill Snyder.
Donation: $25, includes lunch. Zoom: $20.
SOWING SACRED SEEDS
Tuesday, September 9 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM
As our hearts open and we grow in love, so too does our desire to sow sacred seeds – to care for, inspire and lighten the loads of others. We’ll have time to reflect on how hearts are opened and to remember the many ways sacred seeds have been sown in us by God and the kindness of others and to consider how our service, sacrifices, compromises and all that we have done for love has supported and lightened the burdens of others. Remembering and sharing our gifts and the seeds we have sown can awaken us to see how love grows and to respond to the many opportunities we have to plant seeds of love, especially in these most difficult days. Led by Vince Gallagher. Donation: $40, includes lunch & book. Zoom: $20
IN-PERSON ONLY
PERSONAL RETREAT DAY
Wednesday, September 10 9:30 AM – 2:30 PM
Take a day away from the busyness of your life to rest a while in the Lord and experience God’s presence. Come to Francis House for silence, personal prayer, and optional spiritual direction. The day begins and ends with a brief prayer together. Please bring your lunch. Donation: $10; $40 with spiritual direction.
DISCERNMENT MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE IN YOUR WORLD!
Friday, September 19 9:30 AM – 2:00 PM
I’m willing if you are! This retreat includes the full teaching of Ignatian Discernment of Spirits! If you find yourself sliding down “the greasy pole” of desolation or negative thinking, this day will help you immensely. The Ignatian teaching on discernment is life changing as we practice awareness, understanding and right action regarding the various spirits that present themselves to us day by day and moment by moment. Led by S. Marcy. Donation: $35, includes lunch and materials. Zoom: $30
IN-PERSON ONLY
“THE LETTER: A MESSAGE FOR OUR EARTH”
Monday, September 22 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM
In this Season of Creation, draw closer to God through the gift of our common home. The day begins with prayer outdoors to open our hearts to the message of the film, “The Letter,” which is based on Laudato Si’. We will watch it together and reflect/discuss our thoughts, hopes and holy desires for Earth. Led by Jill Snyder. Donation: $30, includes lunch.
IN PERSON AND ZOOM UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED
CELEBRATE ST. FRANCIS
Friday, October 3 9:30 AM –1:00 PM
We will have a wonderful celebration of St. Francis! You will feel like you are in Assisi! We will spend some time outdoors, weather permitting, enjoying the beauty of creation as Francis insists and conclude with lunch. Led by Jill Snyder. Donation: $25, includes lunch.
EXAMEN: A SIMPLE LIFE-CHANGING PRAYER
Tuesday, October 7 9:30 AM –1:00 PM
Examen is a daily prayer practice designed to help you notice and enjoy God's presence in your everyday life. As you grow in its daily practice you will begin to be aware of God's presence everywhere. If you would like to end every day with gratitude and hope, please come to this one-day presentation on Ignatian Examen. It's no exaggeration to say that Examen changes everything. It might change things for you too! Led by S. Marcy. Donation: $35 includes lunch/book. Zoom: $20
IN-PERSON ONLY
PERSONAL RETREAT DAY
Wednesday, October 8 9:30 AM – 2:30 PM
Take a day away from the busyness of your life to rest a while in the Lord and experience God’s presence. Come to Francis House for silence, personal prayer, and optional spiritual direction. The day begins and ends with a brief prayer together. Please bring your lunch. Donation: $10; $40 with spiritual direction.
IN-PERSON ONLY
CREATION IS GOD’S LOVE
Friday, October 10 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Spend time exploring creation using all of your senses! In simple ways, we will watch how God’s love is revealed in nature. We will pray with the elements of water, air, fire and Earth. Come and enjoy this day of “play” outside! Led by Jill Snyder. Donation: $25, includes lunch.
LOVE POEMS FROM GOD
Monday, October 13 1:30 – 4:00 PM
We will enjoy some of Daniel Ladinsky's Love Poems from God as a means of entering more fully into the mystery of God's unique love which is beyond our understanding. This afternoon retreat promises to be a doorway into deep consolation, peace, and confidence in God's love for you personally. Is this what you need at the moment? Maybe you can write a love poem back! Led by S. Marcy. Materials included. Donation: $20.
LORD, WHEN DID I SEE YOU?
Tuesday, October 14 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Using the parable of the separation of the sheep and the goats in Mt. 25 as a starting point - as well as many stories from life - we will explore the world, the church, and ourselves as we look for Jesus. We will sharpen our focus and truly SEE the Lord, so as to serve Him better, become the salt and light He wants us to be, and, in the process, become transformed. As the earth gets ready for a deep winter sleep, let's wake up and reinvigorate our quest for Jesus in the "least of these." Led by JoLynn Krempecki. Donation: $25, includes lunch. Zoom: $20
IN-PERSON ONLY
TIME OUT FOR BUSY PARENTS
Saturday, October 18 10:00 AM – Noon
OR
Wednesday, October 22 10:00 AM – Noon
Is your calendar packed? Are you constantly on the go? Do you need an occasional time out to reconnect with God and yourself? Join us on either one of the mornings listed above that will be dedicated to busy parents. There will be time to listen God’s voice, find Him in our day, and spend time on the beautiful grounds of Francis House. Led by Laura Sarubbi. Donation: $20
“BE STILL & KNOW THAT I AM GOD”
PSALM 46:10
Monday, October 27 9:30 AM –1:00 PM
Enter into a deeper understanding of this call to stillness and silence. As we practice contemplation, in the quiet and stillness, we begin to enjoy what God wants for each person…knowing God within. Henri Nouwen’s The Way of the Heart will be used on this retreat day. Led by Jill Snyder. Donation: $25, includes lunch. Zoom: $20
IN-PERSON ONLY
COMMUNICATING WITH GOD, CREATOR AND LOVER OF US ALL
Tuesday, October 28 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Expressing thoughts, feelings and needs through scriptures, song, silence, and our senses. Living in creation, community, and finding joy in our uniquely beautiful identity. Come experience God. Bring a friend. Make connections, build community. Led by Bernadette Citarella. Donation: $25, includes lunch.
GIVE THANKS
“…WITH THE MIND OF CHRIST”
Thursday, October 30 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Discover that we stand on Holy Ground everywhere! Putting on the Mind of Christ by James Woods will help us to slow down the pulse of daily life and breathe in deeply the love of God. We will practice contemplative prayer that leads to being contemplative in action. Led by Jill Snyder. Donation: $25, includes lunch. Zoom: $20.
IN PERSON AND ZOOM UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED
IN-PERSON ONLY
EMBRACING THE UNCERTAIN AND UNKNOWN
Monday, November 3 9:30 AM – 2:00 PM
When we can let go of sureness and look beyond what we already know, we can cultivate hope and nurture creativity while grounding ourselves in God. We will engage this topic through prayer and art-making to help us approach uncertainty with wonder and wisdom. Led by S. Celeste Mokrzycki, SSJ. Donation: $40, includes lunch and materials.
OPENING GOD’S GIFTS TO YOU!
Monday, November 10 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Spending this time with God makes a huge difference in the final days before Thanksgiving. This retreat will allow you the time and space to discover God’s gifts leading to a deeper place of gratitude. Led by Jill Snyder. Donation: $25, lunch included. Zoom: $20
IN-PERSON ONLY
PERSONAL RETREAT DAY
Wednesday, November 12 9:30 AM – 2:30 PM
Take a day away from the busyness of your life to rest a while in the Lord and experience God’s presence. Come to Francis House for silence, personal prayer, and optional spiritual direction. The day begins and ends with a brief prayer together. Please bring your lunch. Donation: $10; $40 with spiritual direction.
THE REED OF GOD: A LOVING LOOK AT MARY
Friday, November 14 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Join Father Bill Lago as he discusses Caryll Houselander’s amazing reflection on our Blessed Mother in her classic book the Reed of God. Led by Father Bill Lago, ending with Mass at Noon. Donation: $30, includes lunch. Zoom: $20
THE WAY TO LOVE
Monday, November 17 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Anthony DeMello allows us to know that the way to love is through awareness. This book is full of enrichment as we explore his last meditations which are full of love and wisdom. Enjoy as we learn to deeply love God by being aware of God’s love. Led by Jill Snyder. Donation: $25, includes lunch. Zoom: $20
PROCESSING GRIEF: EXPLORING LOSS THROUGH THE LENS OF BROADWAY LOVE SONGS
Tuesday, November 18 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Many who have lost a loved one struggle as they process their grief. For some this can be overwhelming, and for most, a deep sadness accompanies their loss.
Over decades, composers of Broadway love songs have offered words of pain and consolation that reflect tenderly what many experience every day. Join Father Jim for a journey through Broadway musicals to discover how your emotions and struggles are a journey of love. Led by Rev. Jim Grogan. Mass at Noon. Donation: $30, includes lunch.
Zoom: $20
IN PERSON AND ZOOM UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED
ADVENT RETREAT DAY
Monday, December 1 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM
We will travel through Advent this year with Advent and Christmas with Thomas Merton. What a perfect companion for this busy and stressful season! Again, we begin this holy season together doing what we can to make it more peaceful and prayerful. Led by S. Marcy. Donation: $35, includes lunch and the book. Zoom: $20
ADVENT: LEARNING TO WALK IN THE LIGHT
Wednesday, December 3 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Advent’s beginning calls us to be attentive, to wait and watch, to learn to walk with God and with each other in the light. Our time will be filled with scripture and song, silence and shared faith as well as some of the stories of our lives. Together, we will prepare to encounter the Christ at Christmas. Led by S. Eileen White, GNSH. Donation: $35, includes lunch. Zoom: $20
CHILDLIKE FAITH: BIG THINGS COME IN SMALL PACKAGES
Monday, December 8 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Childlike faith is asking God to help us in living in true humility, wonder, trust and hope. This retreat focuses on our Blessed Mother and how these 4 values draw us all deeper into receiving love and giving love in relationship with God. Retreat will conclude with Liturgy. Led by Jill Snyder. Donation: $25, includes lunch. Zoom: $20
IN-PERSON ONLY
PERSONAL RETREAT DAY
Wednesday, December 10 9:30 AM – 2:30 PM
Take a day away from the busyness of your life to rest a while in the Lord and experience God’s presence. Come to Francis House for silence, personal prayer, and optional spiritual direction. The day begins and ends with a brief prayer together. Please bring your lunch. Donation: $10; $40 with spiritual direction.
IN-PERSON ONLY
THE CHRISTMAS STORY – THE CHOSEN
Wednesday, December 17 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM
It is so familiar, ever ancient, ever new! What does the Christmas story say to me now? We will view the Christmas episode, share its message, spend some time in prayer and enjoy a fabulous lunch. What a great Advent morning as we grow in appreciation of the gift of Christ’s coming into our lives. This will be fun and remarkably impactful for your Advent Season. Led by Jill Snyder. Donation: $25, lunch included.
THE END OF THE YEAR RETREAT
Wednesday, December 31 9:30 AM – 2:00 PM
Since God gives us life and time and is Lord over all, it seems appropriate to end the year in prayer. Francis House offers time, space and quiet for naming the graces of 2025 and expressing gratitude to God. The day will focus on our goals, hopes and desires for 2026. We reverently say farewell to 2025 and cordially welcome 2026 as a gift from God. Please bring your lunch. Led by S. Marcy. Donation: Love Offering
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Francis House of Prayer
84 Walnford Road, Allentown, New Jersey 08501, United States
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