Retreats
Choosing to set aside a day, a weekend, even a week for a spiritual retreat can be a worthwhile experience. On retreat, there is quality time for bringing one's life situations, events, and experiences to prayer and a deeper connection with God. The retreat offers one the grace to be oneself, the opportunity to be refreshed physically and spiritually, and the invitation to deeper transformation.
NEW! Custom Retreats and Winter Sabbaticals
Come to Marywood Marywood Franciscan Spirituality Center for a retreat or winter sabbatical that is customized for wherever you may be in life.
Whether looking for greater meaning in life, transitioning in life, or just needing a period of rest, we invite you to include
us in this time. Our cozy cabins include fireplaces and gas heat, bedding, and fully equiped kitchens. On-site facilities include
our chapel and library. Facilitators are available to work with you during your stay.
Please download our flyer for details »
Attention Interested Retreatants!
• Plan Ahead • Register Early • Space is Limited
Call ahead for space availability after the registration date, as occasionally space becomes available. For more information on any retreat, or to register: e-mail: marywood.center@gmail.com or call 715-385-3750.
2010 Retreats Information
Ten-Day At-Home Retreat
Orientation and Closing at Holy Family Church, Woodruff
March 21 - Sunday 4:00 PM Orientation
April 1 - Thursday 4:30 PM Closing
Spiritual Guides: Marywood Staff Besides the group orientation and closing event, each person meets three times individually for an hour with a spiritual guide at a mutually agreed upon time at Holy Family. Each person is invited and guided to engage in daily prayer in the comfort of his or her home. The suggested offering for these five gatherings is $99.00, but do not let financial constraints limit your participation. Scholarship money is available. All are welcome! One need not be a member of Holy Family to participate. Register by Monday, March 15. For more information, or to register, contact Marywood at 715-385-3750. A deposit of $20.00 is appreciated.
Directed Retreats: 2010
March 18-24
May 16-22
June 20-26
October 17-22
Director: Kathy Lentsch, OSF
All retreats begin with simple supper at 5:30 pm of first day with departure at 10:00 am on the last day. Registration is limited. These are silent retreats. Each retreatant meets for one hour, once each day, with the spiritual director. Meals are shared in silence. The rest of the day is spent in prayer and solitude enjoying the woodland environment and lakeside cabin. Registration is requested one month in advance of each retreat. Include a $100 deposit which is refundable if reservation is cancelled one month prior to your retreat. Fee includes private room in shared lakeside cabin and meals. Fee: $500 for single person in a cabin; $450 for those willing to share a cabin with private bedroom.
Icon Retreat Workshop: The Holy Family
April 11-17
Marywood Lodge
Limit of 15 participants
Maryam Gossling, FSPA
In the early Church, believers have seen icons as windows to the heavenly world. In the Eastern Orthodox world the use of icons has flourished for centuries. A resurgence of appreciation of the significance and spiritual richness of this is presently occurring in the West. Participants will write/paint The Holy Family (no art experience required), while being introduced to the history of icons and their use as a focus for prayer and contemplation.
The resident retreatant fee includes all materials, food and lodging; commuter fee includes all materials and the noon meal each day. Register by Friday, March 12. Please include a $100 deposit; $50 commuters (deposit refunded if cancelled by March 12). Fee: Resident $550; Commuter: $285.
Vacation with a Purpose: Watercolor Painting Workshop
June 6-11
Limit of 8 participants
Instructor: Karen Kappell, FSPA
This is a second level program in watercolor. Participants will be learning and reviewing how to develop more control and also how to be free with watercolor media. Marywood is a perfect spot to watercolor and enjoy the beauty of the Northwoods. Classes will run from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, with a delicious home cooked meal at noon and free time in late afternoon and evening for your relaxation. Bring tube watercolors, brushes and any other watercolor supplies you may have. Materials will be available for use and purchase. Register by Friday, May 7. Residents please include a $100 deposit; ($50 - commuters). Deposit is refundable if reservation is cancelled by May 7. Fee: Residents $400 includes a private room in a shared lakeside cabin and meals; Commuters $185, includes noon meal.
Vacation With A Purpose: Native American Culture Workshop
July 5-11
Presenters: Rose Heil, FSPA & Karen Kappell, FSPA
This workshop/vacation will deepen understanding of how the original people of America live, allow you to see the earth as viewed through native spiritual traditions, and to reconnect with mother earth. We will be guests at a traditional native American Pow-Wow on the sacred grounds of the Chippewa at Lac du Flambeau. There will be a variety of other excursions during the workshop, as well as drumming, arts, crafts and music in the native tradition. Register by Monday, June 7. Fee: Residents $550 includes a private room in a lakeside cabin and meals; commuters $285 includes day programs and lunch. Partial scholarships are available.
Franciscan Retreat: Franciscans at Heart, Associates and Vowed (women and men)
August 6-10
Friday - 5:00 PM thru Tuesday - 1:00 PM
Facilitators: Marla Lang, FSPA and Kathy Lentsch, OSF
Through the lens of Franciscan values, we will explore the call to inner transformation and authentic relationships.
In light of the consciousness emerging in our world and among us, we will ponder with Francis and Clare: "I have done what is mine; may Christ teach you what is yours." There will be presemtations, dialogue and extended periods for quiet. Each day will end with a ritual / celebration.
Register by Friday, July 9; residents please include $100 deposit; ($50 - commuters). Deposit is refundable if cancellation is made by July 20. Fee:
Residents $299 includes a private room in a shared lakeside cabin and meals; Commuters $180 includes noon and evening meals.
Directed Retreat
August 11-18
Limit of 6 retreatants
Director: Miriam Cecile Ross, SSND
Retreat begins with a simple supper at 5:30 pm Wednesday; departure at 10:00 am on the following Wednesday. Registration is limited. This is a silent retreat. Each retreatant meets once each day for one hour with the spiritual director. Meals are shared in silence. The rest of the day is spent in prayer and solitude enjoying the water, woodland environment and lakeside cabin. Register by Monday, July 12. Please include $100 deposit (refundable if reservation is cancelled by July 12). Fees: $450 includes private room in shared lakeside cabin and meals; $550 for single person in cabin.
Vacation With A Purpose: Earth Retreat
September 24-28
Presenter: Roselyn Heil, FSPA
Each day we will awaken to the Divine presence in our midst, exploring different forest trails and waterfalls of the Northwoods at the height of autumn colors (carpooling required). Evenings are free for campfires or canoeing and private time for prayer, reading or crafts in your cabin. Plan to arrive after 3:00 pm on Friday, September 24; dinner at 5:30 pm. Depart by 10:00 am on Tuesday, September 28. Register by Tuesday, August 24. Please include $100 deposit (refundable if reservation
is cancelled by August 24). Fees: Resident - $299 includes private room in shared lakeside cabin and meals;
Commuters - $180 includes noon and evening meals.
"At-Your-Site" Retreat Offerings - Let us come to you!
Your Choice: whole day, half day or evening
• You Are My God -or- on a theme focused for Liturgical Ministers by Sr. Marla Lang, FSPA
• Sacred Presence: Spirituality Of The Everyday! by Sr. Kathy Lentsch, OSF
• Radical Amazement: Mystery of God In Our Universe by Sr. Rose Heil, FSPA
(Suggested donation to be negotiated.)
For more information, or to inquire about other possibilities, or to schedule a retreat at your site, call 715-385-3750, or e-mail: marywood.center@gmail.com
• Sabbaticals and 30-day Retreats are available November thru April each year. Plan ahead.
• Private Directed Retreats can be scheduled at your convenience throughout the year, and for duration of your choosing, subject to availability of cabins and director. Plan ahead. For more information, and/or to plan, call Sr. Kathy Lentsch (715-385-3750).
Personal Time Away
Plan your own program for a week, a month, or more, or work with Marywood's on-staff specialist (see suggestions below). Call today to reserve your dates.
Cabins are complete with:
• fireplace and wood
• gas heat
• bedding and linens
• fully equipped kitchen
For planning assistance or more information contact:
Sister Kathy Lentsch
715-385-3750 or e-mail klentschosf@gmail.com
• Sibling Sisters
Have you ever thought of or wished for some meaningful family time with your siblings? In this time away Sister Kathy will facilitate the remembering, the conversations and rituals among the group. As well as time together there will be opportunities for one-on-one conversations with each other. This delightful time for sharing can be adjusted to week days as well as weekends; minimum two days. Please bring along pictures and mementos that are meaningful to you and your family.
• Best Friends Get-Away
It has been said that friends are true treasures and lovely luxuries in our lives.
There are those particular friends who have journeyed with us in times of intense joy, deep sadness and through difficult decisions. They are often the safe place where we have been vulnerable and taken off our masks. Their support and love has provided us with an enormous amount of courage. This time away will have a similar format to the "Sibling Sisters" experience and will be adapted for best friends be it two individuals or a group of friends. Please bring a picture, symbol or memento that is significant to your relationship(s). Length of time away can be adapted and vary according to the needs of the individuals; minimum 2 days.
• Transitions
The Transitions experience will be particularly helpful for someone finding themselves at a crossroad, discerning a significant decision, or wanting to clarify or nurture some positive movement or growth in their life. Sister Kathy will be available to listen, journey with, act as spiritual guide to create together meaningful questions and rituals for the individual. Length of time varies depending on needs of the individual; minimum 2 days.
Cabin Rate: $60 per night first person; $15 per night each additional.
Facilitator fees can be negotiated.
Marywood Franciscan Spirituality Center offers the serenity and amenities for the retreat experience you may have been seeking.
Plan Ahead • Register Early • Space is Limited
(Late registrations welcome; call for possible space availability)
For more information, please call 1-715-385-3750 or e-mail us at marywood.center@gmail.com
Personal Time Away
Some persons look for a quiet, peaceful, restful place to think and pray. The center provides some options for personal reflection and renewal; personally designed time, planning assistance from staff members, art expression opportunities and others.
Private Retreats
Individuals are welcome to schedule a number of days for creating a personal retreat format. The grounds, chapel, library, and listening room are resources available for quiet reflection.
Guided Retreats
Some of these retreats are scheduled by the center. Usually a presentation is given, to be followed by silent time, personal reflection, and group discussion. Groups of eighteen or less are also able to schedule a time with a presenter of their choice.
Individual Directed Retreats
Experienced retreat directors are available for a daily meeting in this style of retreat. On an individual and personally guided retreat, solitude, prayer, scripture and connection with nature are usual elements.
For all of these retreats, our cabins on the shores of Trout Lake and in the midst of tall pines, provide an ideal setting for renewal of one's whole person. The size and types of buildings offers a coziness and warmth which is unique among retreat centers.
Winter Sabbatical
Plan your own program for two weeks, a month or more. You can connect with regularly scheduled programs at Marywood. Staff, resources and spiritual direction are available as desired. A Chapel is on location. Trails for snow shoeing and cross country skiing are close at hand.
Contact us for additional information, individual prices and available dates.
