Core Values of Sts. Francis and Clare: An 8-Day Silent Contemplative Outreach Retreat

Friday, October 11, 5:00 pm - Friday, October 18, 1:00 pm
Shalom Spirituality Center
Facilitators: Jeannine Kosman, Kathy Reardon, Kathleen Schiltz, and Mary Jo Pfeifer Wulf

This Silent Centering Prayer (Intensive/Post Intensive) Retreat provides an opportunity to deepen your established Centering Prayer practice in an atmosphere of silence and community, away from the busyness of daily life, with a focus on Franciscan values. It will allow your mind, body, and spirit to surrender to God’s presence and action.

As a requirement, you should have an established daily practice of Centering Prayer for at least six months. For those new to an 8-day retreat, there will be videos from the Thomas Keating “Spiritual Journey” video series. Except for opening and closing times, silence will be observed throughout the retreat, including at meals. All the readings used during the retreat will be from St. Francis, St. Clare, and other Franciscan sources.

• No commuters.
• Overnight Cost: $900, includes required $75 non-refundable deposit.

DATE AND TIME DETAILS:

• Friday, October 11-Friday, October 18
• Arrive between 3:00-4:30 pm.
• Supper is served at 5:00 pm.
• The final session will conclude with a communal lunch at noon on Friday, October 18. Depart at 1:00 pm, following the meal.

Please register online at shalomretreats.org or by calling 563.582.3592 by Tuesday, September 10.

Jeannine Kosman has been a practitioner of Centering Prayer for over twenty years and a Dubuque Franciscan Associate since 2018. Before retirement, she served as a training professional and executive coach. She completed the PrairieFire Spiritual Director training program in 2015. Jeannine now serves as a spiritual director and retreat facilitator. She resides in Bondurant, IA.

Kathy Reardon retired in 2020 from the Des Moines Pastoral Counseling Center, where she worked as a spiritual director, holistic nurse, and Healing Touch Practitioner for twenty years. Kathy participated in creating and implementing PrairieFire, a two-year spiritual formation program with an optional practicum year for training as a spiritual director. She received a certificate in spiritual direction in 1999 and has been commissioned to teach the Christian practice of silence, known as Centering Prayer, since 2004. Kathy continues to provide spiritual direction and supervise persons training to become spiritual directors. She became a Dubuque Franciscan Associate in 2023. She resides in Des Moines, IA.

Kathleen Schiltz has been a practitioner of Centering Prayer since 2009 and a Dubuque Franciscan Associate since 1991. She was a teacher, director of religious education, and a school counselor. After she retired, she completed the PrairieFire spiritual direction training program in 2017. Besides hosting day-long or weekend retreats, she also loves participating in them. She resides in Des Moines, IA.

Mary Jo Pfeifer Wulf retired from her career in Mental Health Counseling with Catholic Charities in 2018. Mary Jo has been practicing Centering Prayer since 2007. She is a spiritual director and retreat facilitator. She has been a Franciscan Associate with the Dubuque Franciscans since 2014. She completed the PrairieFire spiritual director training program in 2015. Mary Jo loves to host Center Prayer Silent Saturdays, Silent Weekends, and now an 8-day retreat through Contemplative Outreach of Central Iowa. She resides in Ames, IA.

Since Shalom does not employ a dietician, and to best serve your dietary needs, please inform us of any diagnosed food allergies, including wheat and dairy (NOT food preferences), seven days in advance. If you have specific dietary needs, please contact Margie Gassman at 563-582-3592.

To accommodate vegetarian diets, fruits and vegetables are served with every meal. Food desired beyond a typical omnivore diet is the guest’s responsibility (including but not limited to gluten-free, pescatarian, vegan, or low-glycemic). Requests for diet preferences or changes made to the kitchen staff at the time of serving will not be honored unless arrangements have been made ahead of time.