Our St. Stephen’s community is once again offering our space for retreat and renewal activities. Jesus spent forty days in the desert in prayer and fasting before entering his public ministry. In the early Christian era, the desert, mountains and other remote areas provided places for prayer. Later, people sought solitude in monasteries and convents. In the late 16th century, retreat houses were established and continue to operate today. St. Stephen’s, in the past, has offered it’s facility as a retreat house and is in the process of re-establishing itself as a retreat house once again.

In most retreats, some degree of silence is maintained and there is an emphasis on lifestyle changes. Many enter a retreat in order to make a serious decision or commitment, or to take the opportunity to examine the quality of their spiritual lives. Those on retreat hope for deeper spiritual life, purification and growth.

Retreats take many forms. Some types include:

• Faith community retreats: These retreats (Cursillo is one) are intended in part to bring those making a retreat into a supportive faith community. Often these retreats are led by and supported by those who have themselves attended the retreat in the past. Retreats repeat on a regular basis, and there is often post-retreat follow-up, to allow participants to reconnect. These retreats usually include lots of interaction and take place over a weekend.

• Individual private retreats are just that... individual, and private. A person typically makes a reservation at a retreat house for a given number of days, and structures their individual retreat. They may read books, attend worship services, enjoy nature, or whatever they feel furthers their spiritual journey. Meals are often eaten in silence, and interaction with people is kept to a minimum. Length can range from a day to a week or even longer.

• Conference retreats (also known as "preached" retreats) have a blend of group teaching and alone time. Participants meet once or twice a day to hear the leader give a talk on a theme related to the retreat, and spend the rest of the day in whatever prayer form they desire. Generally, participants in this style of retreat maintain some degree of quiet so that they don't disturb others' prayer. Meals may or may not be taken in silence.

• Directed retreats are made by individuals who would like to reflect on their prayer and spiritual life with a spiritual director. The person on retreat meets daily with the spiritual director, who listens to what is happening in the participant’s daily life and prayer, and suggests new ways to connect with the divine. Most people on directed retreats maintain silence and minimal interaction during their retreat, except for their meetings with the retreat director. Directed retreats may last a day, a weekend, or a week.

• Days of prayer may include teaching, silent time, group activities, alone time, worship, individual direction, or any combination of the above. Schools, churches, or families may schedule a day of prayer that is tailored to their needs at a retreat center or other meeting place. These last only a day and don't include an overnight component.

St. Stephens Retreat and Renewal Center will welcome its first retreats April 24-27 and May 1-4. These will be Faith Community retreats, Cursillos. These retreats include withdrawing from ordinary activities.

We at St. Stephen’s take our hospitality very seriously; it’s one of our greatest strengths. If, however, you should happen upon someone now or in the future who indicates that they are on campus for a retreat and would rather maintain silence, practice the hospitality that we are known for and respect their privacy, wish them a great retreat and plan on reconnecting with them at a later time. They’ll be happy to do the same if you decide to take advantage of our retreat and renewal center in the future.