Jesuit Retreat Centers of the Midwest Province
By Thomas Drexler and Nora Dabrowski
The ministry of retreat work is often referred to as one of listening, reflection, and silence. In the Midwest Province, it is that and so much more.
The province is home to six retreat centers that bring Ignatian spirituality and the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola to life for thousands of retreatants each year. Following the challenges of COVID-19, the Midwest Jesuits’ retreat centers have emerged stronger as retreatants return.
Four of the retreat centers have new executive directors to carry on and grow this important ministry: Bill Hobbs at Jesuit Retreat Center in Parma, Ohio; Sr. Linda Sevcik, SM, at Manresa Jesuit Retreat House in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan; Fr. Mark Carr, SJ, at Jesuit Retreat House in Oshkosh, Wisconsin; and Stephen Poat at the Spiritual Center at Milford in Ohio.
All retreat centers share the goal of bringing people closer to God, and with diverse offerings, each center has something for everyone.
This year, Fr. Francis Daly stepped down as executive director at Manresa Jesuit Retreat House to focus on implementing a special program for Jesuit tertians at the retreat center. Tertianship is the stage in Jesuit formation before final vows where Jesuits revisit the foundational documents and history of the Society of Jesus and make the Spiritual Exercises in the 30-day silent retreat.
Manresa has also renovated various indoor and outdoor spaces for reflection and prayer. A robust slate of programs includes spiritually focused yoga, couples’ retreats, evenings of prayer, book studies, and individually directed retreats. There is also an internship in spiritual companionship—training laypeople to be spiritual leaders, retreat directors, and spiritual companions.
Jesuit Retreat Center in Parma, Ohio, is focused on what the next 100 years will look like for their guests. With a new chapel, a remodeled kitchen, more than 70 guest rooms, and beautiful grounds, Jesuit Retreat Center offers a welcoming and comfortable space for reflection and prayer. They reach a diverse crowd: programs for Jesuits in formation from around the country, retreats for women and men experiencing homelessness, student retreats, retreats for couples, and retreats supporting those in recovery.
The Jesuit Retreat House on Lake Winnebago is continuing the rich tradition of Ignatian spirituality and reflection and aims to help their retreatants to become “contemplatives in action.” Through 12-step recovery retreats, weekend retreats, five-day silent retreats, and the traditional eight-day silent retreat with personal spiritual directors, Fr. Carr and the staff at the Oshkosh retreat center invite others to become companions of Jesus and friends in the Lord.
Whether you seek to deepen your relationship with God, renew your spiritual life that has grown weary, or are simply drawn to the quiet—the staff, programs, and environment will welcome you and give you the opportunity to live and learn through Ignatian spirituality.
Thomas Drexler is a major gifts officer for the Midwest Jesuits and former executive director of the Ignatian Spirituality Project. He is a graduate of Marquette University High School, Creighton University, and Washington Theological Union.
Nora Dabrowski is the regional advancement director for the Midwest Jesuits in Michigan and northern Ohio. She is a graduate of Loyola University Chicago and has worked with the Jesuits for over 26 years.
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Photo: David Hrbacek