retreat leaders

[Ed Solomon]

We do an annual retreat for Deacons in the Diocese of Albany. I have just accepted the position of Director of On-Ongoing Formation. I am seeking a retreat leader for our September 2014 retreat. The retreat is held Friday night to Sunday noon. Since I was just appointed, I am scrambling to find a good retreat leader who may be available at this late notice. Does anyone have any ideas of good retreat leaders. I had hoped to get someone with a Franciscan spirituality to do this. I am very open to having a woman retreat leader, which would be a first for our gathering.
Any ideas, names, contacts would be very helpful. Thank you.

[Russ O'Neill]

Ed,
See my post below

[mcberstene]

My wife and I have been doing Deacons and Wives retreats and married couples retreats for a number of years.

Our newest retreat is based on Evangelii Gaudium: Living God's Mission as a Married Couple
Beginning with Pope Francis' Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel), this retreat offers the couple the opportunity to reflect on God's mission of love in the context of married life. As married couples, we bring to the world an expression of God's love through the lived relationship of faith and family. Join us as we explore the Joy of the Gospel in the everyday experience of marriage and family.

This retreat was given to the Archdiocese of Boston deacon candidates and their wives in February.

We have also the following retreats available:
Deacon and Wife: Partners in faith and family
Deacon and Wife: Writing a Regula Vitae for diaconal living
Men and Women of the Diaconate: The Living Icon of Christ the Servant

All of our retreats focus on our spiritual journey and deepening our awareness of God’s presence in each other and in God’s call to mission in the world.

We have done retreats for deacons and wives:
Fort Worth Texas in 2003
Norwich in 2004 and 2013
Bridgeport in 2005
Portland in 2008 and 2012
Manchester in 2009
Boston in 2009,2010 and 2014
Fall River in 2011
Erie in 2012 (two retreats)
Springfield in 2012

If you are interested in any of these retreats, we can share more details about that retreat.

Deacon Michael Berstene
Mrs. Mary Frances Berstene

[Ed Solomon]

Thanks Mike. I will give you a call. I appreciate your feedback.

[Russ O'Neill]

Ed,
A few years ago, we had Friar Johnpaul Cafiero, OFM, for our deacon and wives retreat. He was very good, entertaining and still challenging. He was a chaplain with the Illinois State Police. I don't know if he is still there. Phone was 312-659-1547; web site - www.FriarJp.com.

Another really good one we had in the past was Deacon James Keating. He belongs to the diocese of Columbus OH but is currently director of theological formation for the Institute of Priestly Formation at Creighton University.
Russ O'Neill