Message from the Director

Dear Friends,

Many times during our retreats and programs at the Center our staff will hear these words from our participants, “It feels like I am coming home when I go through those gates.”  It seems to me that “coming home” is an experience God dearly wishes for all of us in these times of such economic, spiritual and  moral upheaval in our world and in society.  The expression itself implies a place of warmth, welcome and solace, an opportunity to restore weary hearts and spirits.  The Jesuit Center has been such a place for many for almost forty years and we sincerely hope that our retreats and program offerings will continue to be a means of sustenance and spiritual support.

Our offerings this year include weekend programs with internationally known authors, retreat directors and speakers Melannie Svoboda, SND, Thomas Ryan CSP and Timothy Gallagher OMV who is re-visiting the Center, back by popular demand.  Sr. Melannie will be unpacking the gifts of Advent; Fr. Ryan will be sharing a variety of prayer forms and Fr. Gallagher will be exploring Ignatian discernment in regard to decision-making.  And Jesuit Robert Kennedy will be returning, offering a retreat weekend of Christianity and Zen.

The training and support of spiritual directors is an ongoing part of our mission and ministry.  In the fall the third class of our non-residential program will begin their training with the first of six intensive weekends.  And we are pleased that two of our Spiritual Growth staff members, Bill Sneck, SJ, Ph.D. and Kathryn Fitzgerald, D.Min. will be offering a day for spiritual directors on the role of archetypes in direction.

On behalf of all of our staff I would like to express our gratitude to you for your support, encouragement and presence. We ask you to continue to hold the Jesuit Center in your prayer and we assure you of our continual prayerful remembrance.

Sincerely,

© 2005-2010 Jesuit Center
501 N Church Road PO Box 223 •   Wernersville, PA 19565

Last modified: June 8, 2010