The Jesuit Spirituality Center

at St. Charles College

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Weekend Programs For 2020

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Caronavirus Update
3/12/2020

In an abundance of caution for our elderly & infirmed Jesuit priests and brothers, as well as for the active Jesuit community and staff, we find it necessary to limit our exposure to the coronavirus. We will do so by limiting our retreats and perhaps declining acceptance from people in “hot zones” of the country. As a result, if your intention was to fly here for your retreat, we urge you to not purchase your plane tickets until your retreat date gets close and you have confirmed with us, that your retreat will take place.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you, however, protecting everyone’s health is our main concern at this time.

Greg Thibodeaux
Jesuit Spirituality Center
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Most weekend programs begin with 6:00 pm supper on the first day and end before lunch on the last day.
PLEASE arrive at the Center between 4:00 and 5:30 p.m. on the afternoon the program begins.

All programs require pre-registration. All programs of more than one day also require a non-refundable $75 deposit.

What’s Provided and What You Should Bring:
We provide all bath and bed linens. Please bring casual, comfortable clothing. Our climate is generally mild, but you should be prepared for cold weather in winter and hot, humid weather in summer.
You may bring needlework, water colors or other handwork that you find relaxing and helpful. You will need a notebook. Other books/tapes, etc., are unnecessary and could be distracting. Your family, friends, and associates should refrain from writing or calling you during the retreat. Messages of a serious or emergency nature will be passed on to you as soon as possible. Washing machines and dryers are available. Please let us know in advance if you have special dietary requirements or need handicap accessible accommodations.

An Introduction to the Directed Retreat (WAITING LIST CURRENTLY)

Nelda Turner and Center Staff
Friday, January 17—Sunday, January 19
Fee: $180.00

An Introduction to the Directed Retreat is designed for someone making a silent directed retreat for the first time. Group and individual sessions will focus on how to pray, to journal, and to communicate prayer experiences with one’s director. This retreat also will prepare participants for a longer 3, 5, or 8-day retreat.

Nelda Turner, a retreat director on the staff of the Spirituality Center, is an accredited full-time retreat director trained in the Internship Program in the Archdiocese of New Orleans. She is certified in spiritual direction through the Spiritual Director training program in the Diocese of Lake Charles. Mrs. Turner holds a certificate in Theology with a focus in Pastoral Studies from Loyola University, New Orleans. She has been a retreat director for 14 years and a spiritual director for 19 years. She and her husband, Bendal, have been married 40 years. They have two children and 10 grandchildren.

Early Christian Iconography: Icon Writing Workshop /
Retreat for Intermediate and Advanced Level Students

Instructor: Dmitri Andreyev from the Prosopon School of Iconology
Monday, February 3—Sunday, February 9
Fee: $1,130 for residents, $890 for commuters.
A non-refundable, non-transferrable deposit of $200 is required to reserve a space in the class.

Icons have long played a central role in the worship of the Eastern Church. Western Christians are rediscovering the transcendent beauty of these sacred images of the early Church. In this intensive six-day workshop for intermediate and advanced iconographers, students continue to study both the practical and theological aspects of the iconographic tradition: the multi-step process of writing (painting) an icon, the theological foundation of the work, and the symbolism of each step. In an atmosphere of prayerful silence, each participant will complete an icon in egg tempera, using the same natural materials and ancient techniques that have been used by iconographers throughout the centuries.

Fees: $1,130 for residents, $890 for commuters. This includes 36 hours of studio instruction. A non-refundable, non-transferrable deposit of $200 is required to reserve a space in the class. Deadline for registration is December 15, 2019. Class size is limited. Deposits will be refunded in case of workshop cancellation. Students will paint an icon of Christ and Mary Magdalene at their encounter in the garden immediately following Jesus’ resurrection. This icon is called “Noli Me Tangere,” from Our Lord’s words to Mary: “Do not touch me, for I have not yet ascended to my Father.” Icon board must be purchased separately and preparation work is required. Instructions will be sent upon receipt of registration deposit. For additional information, contact Faye Drobnic 337-344-7031. This intermediate/advanced workshop is open only to those who are continuing their study of iconography and who have previously studied with the Prosopon School of Iconology or one of its affiliated teachers. New, first-time students, please see workshop description below.

Master iconographer Vladislav Andreyev, assisted by his sons Dmitri and Nikita, founded the Prosopon School of Iconology in New York to promote the study of the Byzantine-Russian tradition of icon writing in the United States. The school conducts workshops throughout the U.S. and Europe, and it has a branch in Russia.

Faye Drobnic has been a practicing iconographer and a student of the Prosopon School for 26 years. She has also studied over the years with other icon masters throughout the United States. She teaches local icon painting classes in Lafayette at her home studio, St. Elizabeth Icon Studio, which is affiliated with the Prosopon School of Iconology.

Retreat for Young Women, 20's to early 40's

Jane L. Hebert
Friday, June 5 —Sunday, June 7
Contact: retreatsforyoungwomen.org

Bearing our Sacred Mysteries: A Journey with Our Mother
A Deeply Contemplative Retreat for Women

Robin Hebert
Thursday, October 1—Sunday, October 4
Fee: $300.00 (commuters $225.00)

Our own joyful, sorrowful and glorious mysteries have much to teach us about our spiritual journey, about bearing tenderly our unanswered questions, our deep-felt sufferings, our call to witness Christ’s love in the world. Let us look to Mary, our Mother, for the clarity, wisdom and courage we need as women to ponder our lives and explore the new life to which the Lord is calling us.

Robin Hebert is a spiritual director, retreat leader, and the co-author with Lyn Holley Doucet of When Women Pray and When Wisdom Speaks. She serves Our Lady of Wisdom Church and Catholic Student Center as marriage ministry coordinator and is a spiritual mentor to many.

Early Christian Iconography:
An Introduction to Icon Painting
for Beginners—2 Weekends

Faye Drobnic, St. Elizabeth Icon Studio
Thursday, October 15—Sunday, October 18
PLUS Thursday, Oct 29—Sunday, Nov 1 ALSO
Fee: $995.00
A non-refundable, non-transferrable deposit of $200 is required to reserve a space.

Icons have long played a central role in the worship of the Eastern Church. Western Christians are rediscovering the transcendent beauty of these sacred images of the early Church. In these intensive six-day workshops, students will learn both the practical and theological aspects of the iconographic tradition: the multi-step process of writing (painting) an icon, the theological foundation of the work, and the symbolism of each step. In an atmosphere of prayerful silence, each participant will complete an icon in egg tempera, using the same natural materials and ancient techniques that have been used by iconographers throughout the centuries.

The fee of $995.00 includes both weekends, with 48 hours of studio instruction and all art supplies. This is a six-day workshop/retreat, divided into two weekends (Thursday-Sunday). The workshop begins each weekend on Thursday evening after the 6:00 supper and ends on Sunday afternoon. A non-refundable, non-transferrable deposit of $200 is required to reserve a space in the class. Deadline for registration is September 5, 2019. Class size is limited. Deposits will be refunded in case of workshop cancellation. Students will paint a small icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary—in egg tempera, using the same natural materials and ancient techniques that have been used by iconographers throughout the centuries. Previous painting experience is helpful but is not required. As we write (paint) the image of Our Lady, we will prayerfully reflect upon various events in the life of the Mary described in the Gospels, the early traditions of Mary from apocryphal writings preserved in the Eastern church, and the imagery and mariology of Mary as developed in the Byzantine images of the early church.

Zen Practices for Christian Living (Waiting list currently)
Before registering, please call Sharon at 337-662-5251 ext 222)

Fr. Robert Kennedy, S.J.
Thursday, November 12– Sunday, November 15
Fee: $300.00 (commuters $225.00)
A non-refundable deposit of $75.00 is required.

Zen practices integrating Christian life, prayer, and liturgy. Come develop a deeper contemplative prayer life. Zazen or sitting meditation is the practice of stilling the mind through whole-hearted attentiveness to the breath. Together with stillness of the body, this frees the mind from its ordinary activities of thinking, daydreaming, and speculating. This is a silent retreat and is open to persons of all faiths. It includes instruction, talks, and one-on-one interviews.

Fr. Robert Kennedy, S.J. teaches Catholic Theology and Buddhism at St. Peter’s College, Jersey City. He is a practicing psychotherapist and the author of Zen Gifts to Christians and Zen Spirit, Christian Spirit.

AA Weekend: Staying Sober with the 12-Steps

Fr. Tom Weston, S.J.
Wednesday, November 18—Sunday, November 22
Fee: $365.00 (commuters $280.00)
A non-refundable deposit of $75.00 is required.

The 12 Steps help us live a better life. This is a weekend for women and men in recovery. Addicts, alcoholics, and family and friends are welcome. We will go through the 12 Steps and focus on the practical tools of recovery from this tragic illness. There will be time for quiet, for reflection, for conversation, and for meetings—for some refreshment and renewal.

Fr. Tom Weston, S.J., a counselor and retreat director, is a specialist in giving 12-Step and AA retreats. He has been involved with people in Twelve Step Programs since 1976. A former Director of the Jesuit Volunteer Corps and a teacher, he has degrees in counseling, education and theology. He lectures, counsels, and conducts workshops and seminars throughout the U. S. and internationally.

Jesuit Discernment Retreats

The Jesuit Vocation Office for the USA Central and Southern Province of the Society of Jesus sponsors annually two Discernment Retreats for those considering a vocation to the Society: mid-December and early January. Part of the time is spent with Jesuit novices who are studying here at St. Charles College, and the remainder of the time is spent with a Jesuit director in a silent, individually directed retreat.

If you have been giving some thought to a possible vocation to the Jesuits, you are invited to consider participating in one of these retreats. The retreats are provided free of charge. While it is presumed that participants will cover the cost of their travel, there are funds for those who would need assistance.

In addition, the Jesuit Vocation Office also hosts two Come & See weekends during the school year:

* Late September / early October (St. Louis)

* February (Kansas City).

If you would like to participate in one of these events, please contact Fr. Randy Gibbens, S.J., Coordinator of Vocation Promotion, by email:

* UCSVocationCoordinator@jesuits.org

Thank you for your interest in the Jesuits!

Weekend Programs For 2020

____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Caronavirus Update 3/12/2020

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you, however, protecting everyone’s health is our main concern at this time.

Greg Thibodeaux Jesuit Spirituality Center ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

An Introduction to the Directed Retreat (WAITING LIST CURRENTLY)

Early Christian Iconography: Icon Writing Workshop / Retreat for Intermediate and Advanced Level Students

Retreat for Young Women, 20's to early 40's

Bearing our Sacred Mysteries: A Journey with Our Mother A Deeply Contemplative Retreat for Women

Early Christian Iconography: An Introduction to Icon Painting for Beginners—2 Weekends

Zen Practices for Christian Living (Waiting list currently) Before registering, please call Sharon at 337-662-5251 ext 222)