Catholic Retreat Centers?

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Micki

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Just want to know if anyone out there has had some interesting experiences at so-call Catholic Retreat Centers?

My husband and I were very involved with one here in south Jersey for about 10 years. The relationship came to an end when we got tired of Enneagrams, over use of Centering Prayer, and Labrynths. Before we left I had an honest talk with the Sister of St. Joseph who runs the center. I spoke to her about our concerns and basically stated that many of the programs offered stray too far from authentic Catholocism. Fortunately, she does offer good programs that include the writings of the mystics and Ignatian Spirituality but sadly some of the less-than-Catholic attitudes had colored these workshops so one must be on guard. I asked the sister why we never pray the Rosary. She stated that she did have a Marian retreat a while back and they did pray the Rosary then. Like anyone needs a special reason to pray the Rosary!!!

Adding to all of this comes the Sister giving HER permission for a Protestant couple to receive Communion at Mass. when I heard her speak to them I didn’t say anything. It was a few years ago. I wish I knew then what I know now!!!

This particular retreat center isn’t as bad as one a bit further away. Alont with the programs listed above, they also have workshops on yoga and Reiki. On December 21 they have a Winter Soltice Day. Are they Catholics or Druids? :confused:

Untimately, leaving this retear house was just very, very sad for me. I had many wonderful, God-filled experiences there and so far I have been unable to find a truly Catholic retreat center in my area. Anyone from south Jersey who knows of one???

Micki
 
In our area of Texas there are two )that I know of). One is just like you described: Reiki, Enneagrams, Centering Prayer etc. It is the one the chancery will tell you about if you call. They advertise in parrish bulletins and the diocisan newspaper. I have checked out their web site and they offer some good programs too but I haven’t gone. I just think the “flavor” of the place is too new age.

The other one is harder to find. It is run by the Redemptionists. I have been to an all day beginning of Lent retreat there. It was very nice. No odd theology and plenty of time for reflection. They have silent retreats there too which I hope to attend one day soon.

At least we have a light in the darkness.
 
My experiences with the Redemptorist retreat center just north of Chicago have been excellent. Maybe it’s because we were all there for retreats for professionals, but it cut to the heart of spirituality in a hectic world and how to bring Christ back into our families, our work and our stewardship. I’ve also done any number of Jesuit retreats focused on Ignatian spirituality and they’re simply excellent.
 
A friend asked me to accompany her to a day long retreat run by the Passionists here in Melbourne Australia. Before beginning his talk the priest , a Passionist!, bagged “The Passion of the Christ” and then proceeded to give a talk on the enneagram. "Mass’ was immediately after lunch (I don’t know how most of the people managed the fast) and it was liturgical abuse from beginning to end. These retreats are promoted in our Sunday newsletter! 😦 :mad:

On a happier note, the retreat days at the Carmelite monastery are wonderful. Good sound preaching, the rosary, Divine Mercy chaplet, confession and of course Benediction after Adoration. 👍
 
Retreat center owned by the Diocese of Venice FL, run by Fr. Charlie Mallen, a Redemtorist, very good. Also one run by the Diocese of Grand Rapids MI. in Spring Lake, MI also (20) years ago very orthodox.
 
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kmktexas:
In our area of Texas there are two )that I know of). One is just like you described: Reiki, Enneagrams, Centering Prayer etc. It is the one the chancery will tell you about if you call. They advertise in parrish bulletins and the diocisan newspaper. I have checked out their web site and they offer some good programs too but I haven’t gone. I just think the “flavor” of the place is too new age.
Click to expand...
what Diocese?
 
I’m bumping this one to ask if anyone knows of any good retreat centers in the Texas / Oklahoma / New Mexico or Louisiana areas?
 
just did a long answer on another website on favorite retreat centers, naming two in SE Tex.

original questions asked about odd experiences at retreat centers. The first time I went to the Sacred heart retreat center, housed in an old mansion donated to the priests and refurbished, in Youngstown, for Life in the Spirit, a large light fixture exploded over my head in the main room while we were praying (no injury). The next time I came for “Healed in the Spirit” a light bulb exploded over my head in the bedroom hallway. The third time I visited to make arrangements for a parish mission, a lamp exploded and popped in the office we were talking in. On each of those occasions I had a profound experience of the Holy Spirit (for the first time in 50 years), but I think they would prefer I don’t come back again.

I moved to Texas shortly after this, and attended a women’s retreat at our new parish, mainly as a chance to meet other women. Someone had left a candle burning in the chapel, and when I got there, the fire department (chief was husband of one of the organizers of the retreat) had just put out the little fire that resulted. All talks were on the Holy Spirit, and I took this as a positive sign of His presence.
 
I highly recommend finding a Redemptorist retreat house. I went to this one (www.visitthemount.com) about 12 years ago. Shortly after, I left my job and went to work for them. Its a great place–take a look!
 
Micki said:
Untimately, leaving this retear house was just very, very sad for me. I had many wonderful, God-filled experiences there and so far I have been unable to find a truly Catholic retreat center in my area. Anyone from south Jersey who knows of one???

Micki
Click to expand...
Here are the retreat centers in my area, I do not know the greater NYC/NJ area. Here are some of the retreat centers in the greater Minnesota area.

Christ the King, Buffalo MN
kingshouse.com/

Carondelet Center, CSJ, St Paul MN
carondeletcenter.org/

St. John’s Abbey OSB Personal and Group Retreats, Collegeville MN
saintjohnsabbey.org/retreats/retreats.html
n

Edit: I just noticed this is a old thread recently bumped.
 
Ummm… has anyone responding to the original poster (other than NewUlm1976 of course) noticed that this thread was created in 2004?? 😛

Anyways, just in case there is anyone from NJ seeking a retreat. There is a hermitage in Chester, NJ that is run by the **Hermits of Bethlehem **whose head is Fr. Eugene Romano. The retreat costs $250 per week and to my knowledge in looking at the brochure that they sent me, it is a silent retreat.

I tend to be drawn to more of a mystical Catholic spirituality and this hermitage follows the Desert Father’s in how the retreats are done.

You can write or call the hermitage at the following address.

Bethlehem Hermitage
82 Pleasant Hill Road
Chester, NJ 07930

telephone: 908-879-7059 (This is Father Eugene’s number where you can call to make your reservations for the retreat)

Peace.
 
Enneagrams, Rikki, Water conservation, Environmentalism , Social Gospel issues, Eliminating world hunger, ecumenisms across non-liturgical non-apostolic succession Christian denominations, ties to Astrology, Zen , meditation or advanced yoaga are all part of a one world religious movement that has crept into the liberal camps of the Catholic Church (aka republicans and democrats in the same Senate )
They are the influences of the well known eastern mystery religions

Authentic Catholic retreats and renewal movements are centered in Scriptural Apologetics studies, Tridentine Liturgical Renewal, Charismatic Catholic prayer groups, Latin studies, Biblical Greek studies, Studies of Sacred Music and Gregorian Chant ,
Courses in Sacred Art work , Christian History and seen through the Scriptures, Moral Ethics as seen through the teachings of Saints Ignatius, Augustine, and Thomas and all centered around prayers before and after every talk and or meal to our Triune God and if any retreat completes itself without a Rosary somewhere within it is It is not Catholic !

To understand the liberal errors one must return to the exact words of Jesus Christ and words of our Judao-Christian heritage that are still valid in the Old testament that “He” came to fulfill and free ourselves from these pagan ways
These hybrid retreats are not in any way shape or form Catholic or Orthodox Christian
They are the worship of “her” and she is the Earth
Make no mistake about it these elements are the exaltation of the creation over the creator
You are on the right road friends but going the wrong way on it. Don’t go back to Egypt there is GOLD afoot in the other direction on this road I tell you !

If you go into a NY or NJ neighborhood gym and there are over a dozen women in advanced Yoga class sitting on the floor in the dark, motionless in silence and the exercise guru is saying “would you like to join our exercise hour?”
You can clearly tell them out loud
Girls ! this not exercise ! This is religion ! and it’s not ours (the people of the West)

Remember the light of the world came to us to save us FROM THIS
“He that lives in you is greater than he that lives in the world” 1 John 4:4

Test everything by the test of it’s fruit – Hold it up to the Word of God in the daylight and see what it bears

John 15:4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it mustremain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me

Syncretism with neo-paganism denies who the Son of God is and what it came to do inside of you and world today
The light hath no fellowship with darkness The light in you they are talking about Step away from the cloud.
Meditate in front of the Blessed Sacrament for an hour and He will tell you what I am saying directly rather than hear it here have it confirmed there with Him I assure you
The Mighty Mighty name of Jesus will descend on you there and restore all things unto Him who sits on the throne
Mark AB
 
There’s a Jesuit retreat house in Staten Island. You might want to google them. They tend to stick with the Spiritual Exercises, or parts of them. I was pretty impressed with the day of retreat that was held at the local Jesuit college a couple of years ago.
 
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