Day and evening retreats at Jesuit Retreat House help you deepen your relationship with the Lord through presentations, prayer, and quiet reflection.  During your retreat, you can hear inspiring presentations from a diverse range of speakers, walk our 57 acres of paved paths and visit the shrines along the way, and enjoy the comfortable silence of our chapel and library.  Pastries and/or meals are included, with provisions depending upon the type and length of the retreat.  For more information on any of the events below, you may click here to email us or call us at (440) 884-9300.  

Remembering 9/11: 10th Anniversary Reflection - September 9
Luncheon talk featuring Michael Heaton, author and columnist for the Cleveland Plain Dealer

We are commemorating the 10th Anniversary of September 11 with a special prayer service, followed by lunch and a presentation by Michael Heaton, pop culture columnist for the Cleveland Plain Dealer.  Heaton was assigned to cover the tragic event at that time along with the many stories and experiences of miracles and courage at Ground Zero.  Come hear the analysis and narrative of someone who was there and was brought to a greater appreciation of his faith when looking into the eyes of tragedy.  The Friday luncheon event takes place from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. and cost is $25/person. Space is limited, so please register here by September 5.  

About the Presenter: Michael Heaton

Michael Heaton is an award-winning columnist and reporter. His byline has appeared regularly in the Plain Dealer since 1987. Prior to that he was a critic and columnist for the San Francisco Examiner and a reporter for People magazine. He is a graduate of Kent State University. He is co-author of the New York Times bestseller Motherhood and Hollywood by his sister, actress Patricia Heaton, and co-author of I'll Be Right Back, the autobiography of TV host Mike Douglas. A book collecting his Plain Dealer columns, titled Best of the Minister of Culture, was published in 1992. The son of legendary Plain Dealer sportswriter Chuck Heaton, he lives in Bay Village, Ohio.

Finding Holy Ground In Your Life: September 14
Evening reflection led by Carl Bonk, S.J. helping you grow in awareness of God's presence in your life

Finding God where we are is the soul of contemplative spirituality.  Or, in the words of St. Ignatius Loyola, a healthy awareness of God’s loving presence helps us to “find God in all things.”  God meets us where we are and is present to us on a daily basis in varied, often surprising ways.  Come for this summer evening reflection and learn how to identify the holy ground where God finds us every day in our personal lives.  The evening retreat takes place from 6:30 - 9 p.m. and includes time for refreshments, presentations, and personal prayer.  Cost is $15/person.  Space is limited, so please register here by September 12.    

About the Presenter: Carl Bonk, S.J.

Rev. Carl Bonk, S.J., currently serves as alumni chaplain at St. Ignatius High School, provides spiritual direction for individuals, and leads retreat programs at JRH.  Fr. Bonk entered the Society of Jesus in 1960 , ordained to the priesthood in 1982, and celebrated his jubilee in 2011.  His diverse career in ministry includes service as pastor of Ss. Peter and Paul in Detroit, treasurer at Walsh Jesuit High School, teacher at St. Ignatius, and retreat director at Loyola of the Lakes Retreat House.

Morning Prayer for Women: September 26
Join the gathered community the last Monday of the month for Scripture, prayer, and faith-sharing.

You are invited to join us to pray together and learn more about the beauty of prayer.  Led by JRH director Sr. Mary Ann Flannery, S.C., this prayer group will refresh your spirit and help you find strength in regular prayer habits.  Just bring your Bible and come as you are!  The morning prayer takes place 9:30-10:45am, costs $5, and includes coffee and pastry. Space is limited, so please register here by September 23.  Additional 2011 prayer sessions will be held on October 31 and November 28.  There will be a break for the Christmas holidays, and then 2012 sessions will take place on January 30, February 27, March 26, April 30, and June 25.

About the Presenter: Mary Ann Flannery, S.C.

Mary Ann Flannery, S.C. is the executive director of the Jesuit Retreat House in Parma , Ohio .  She has been a longtime educator in the Cleveland diocese.  She taught at St. Pius X School, Lumen Cordium High School , Notre Dame College of Ohio, and most recently at John Carroll University where she completed twenty years teaching in the communications department.  Sister also served 12 years on her community’s leadership team and on multiple boards, including the Sisters of Charity Foundation of Cleveland and L’Arche Cleveland.  She has given retreats at Jesuit Retreat House when needed over the last several years.  Sister has a Ph.D in rhetoric and communications specializing in journalism ethics.

Praying With Distractions: October 3, November 7, December 5
Sharing and support group delving into traditions of contemplative prayer

Join us this fall for a sharing and support group focusing on the popular spiritual book Into The Silent Land: Contemplation In An Active Life by Martin Laird.  This group is perfect for men and women finding it hard to pray with distractions and interested in contemplative prayer traditions such as the centering prayer of Thomas Keating, John Main’s Meditation prayer, the Jesus Prayer of the Eastern Hesychast tradition, and other forms of prayer. Come to our place of peace, reflect on this spiritual classic, share your prayer experiences with other  seekers, and deepen your spiritual life. Cost is $35 for the series and $13 for the book.  Space is limited, so please register here by September 30.    

About the Presenter: Jack Dister, S.J.

Jack Dister, S.J. is a chaplain at the Cleveland Clinic and popular retreat director.  He draws upon extensive pastoral ministry experience, having served at St. Therese's Retreat Center, Jesuit Retreat House, Case Western Reserve University, John Carroll University, and the University of Detroit Mercy.

A Day With Mary - October 10
Day retreat celebrating devotion to the Blessed Mother, led by Rev. Theodore Cassidy, S.M.  

This day will be spent in prayer with Mary. Participants will be invited to learn and deepen the prayer method of Lectio Divina in union with Mary. The goal is to grasp how Jesus is leading to live in good energy and dignity one's calling. The day retreat takes place 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. and includes time for refreshments, presentations, lunch, personal prayer, walk on the grounds, and closing Mass.  Cost is $25/person.  Space is limited, so please register here by October 7.    

About the Presenter: Rev. Theodore Cassidy, S.M.

Rev. Theodore Cassidy, S.M. is a Marianist priest and experienced retreat director currently serving as at the Marianist Family Retreat Center in Cape May Point, NJ.  He has been a teacher of religion in Catholic high schools, an associate pastor and pastor of St. Joseph Catholic Community, Sykesville, Md. for ten years, and Director of Novices for the Marianists. He holds an STL degree from the University of Fribourg, Switzerland, and a Doctor of Ministry Degree from the Catholic University of America with a dissertation on the nature of racism and how to overcome it. He has written the book The Hurricane of Racism dealing with ways to work against racism.

Food For the Journey: October 15, November 19, December 17
Book reflections for spiritual directors, retreat leaders, pastoral ministers, and anyone who has completed the full Spiritual Exercises.  Sessions take place Saturday mornings, 9 -11:30 a.m.

Feed your spirit and find inspiration by coming to JRH for this fall book discussion series focusing on the book Spirit of Fire: The Life and Vision of Teilhard de Chardin by Ursula King. We will gather in a spirit of prayer to share reflections and insights based on this biography of Teilhard making application to our lives and ministry.  Coffee and conversation will begin at 9 a.m. with the reflection to follow from 9:30-11:30 a.m.  Suggested donation is $8/session or $20/series.  Register here or call (440) 884-9300 for more information.

The Psalms: Prayerbook Of the Church - November 21
Evening reflection led by Carl Bonk, S.J. going deeper with these ancient yet timeless songs

As the deer longs for streams of water, so my soul longs for you, O’ God. [Psalm 42:2]

The Book of Psalms, found in the Hebrew Bible, expresses all the human emotions we experience in our life.  The Psalms express heartfelt praise, thanks, confusion, pleading for God’s help, crying out in human pain, and even a sense of abandonment. Learn to explore this great treasury of the many needs we voice before God. The evening retreat takes place from 6:30 - 9 p.m. and includes time for refreshments, presentations, and personal prayer.  Cost is $15/person.  Space is limited, so please register here by November 18.    

About the Presenter: Carl Bonk, S.J.

Rev. Carl Bonk, S.J., currently serves as alumni chaplain at St. Ignatius High School, provides spiritual direction for individuals, and leads retreat programs at JRH.  Fr. Bonk entered the Society of Jesus in 1960 , ordained to the priesthood in 1982, and celebrated his jubilee in 2011.  His diverse career in ministry includes service as pastor of Ss. Peter and Paul in Detroit, treasurer at Walsh Jesuit High School, teacher at St. Ignatius, and retreat director at Loyola of the Lakes Retreat House.  

Advent Day Retreat: What Are YOU Waiting For? - December 13
Featuring Fr. Wally Hyclak, spiritual director and pastor of St. Mary of the Falls Parish

Waiting is really tough, and as the holidays approach there seems to be no end to waiting. Waiting in traffic, in check out lines, or for a clerk to help puts time at a premium: so much so that we wonder if there will ever be enough time. The season of Advent is a season of waiting and anticipation yet some how the reality of all that can get lost in the crush of time.  So, what about this time: is it a blessing or curse, gift or burden?  What are we waiting for?  One more day God's way! The day retreat takes place 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. and costs $25, includes lunch.  Space is limited, so please register here by Friday, December 9.  

About the Presenter: Rev. Walter (Wally) J. Hyclak

Rev. Walter J. Hyclak, commonly known as "Fr. Wally," has served as pastor of St. Mary of the Falls Church in Olmsted Falls , Ohio since January 2008.  A native of Cleveland and graduate of St. Joseph High School (now Villa Angela-St. Joseph H.S.), Fr. Wally, has ministered in the Diocese of Cleveland for more than 42 years, including more than two decades as Executive Director of the St. Joseph Christian Life Center.

The Prophecy & Poetry of Isaiah - December 15
Evening reflection led by Carl Bonk, S.J. reflecting on the lyrical writings of one awaiting the Lord

Advent is a time for a daily reading of the beautiful words of the prophet Isaiah.  In many ways he is the servant God chose to introduce the hope of the coming of a peacemaking Messiah, rather than the political and military figure many of the Israelites were expecting. Isaiah was awaiting a very different Lord, the Prince of Peace, and we are as well during Advent. You are invited to enter the joyful, hopeful season of Advent through the poetic prophecy of Isaiah. The evening retreat takes place from 6:30 - 9 p.m. and includes time for refreshments, presentations, and personal prayer.  Cost is $15/person.  Space is limited, so please register here by December 12.    

About the Presenter: Carl Bonk, S.J.

Rev. Carl Bonk, S.J., currently serves as alumni chaplain at St. Ignatius High School, provides spiritual direction for individuals, and leads retreat programs at JRH.  Fr. Bonk entered the Society of Jesus in 1960 , ordained to the priesthood in 1982, and celebrated his jubilee in 2011.  His diverse career in ministry includes service as pastor of Ss. Peter and Paul in Detroit, treasurer at Walsh Jesuit High School, teacher at St. Ignatius, and retreat director at Loyola of the Lakes Retreat House.

Food For the Journey: January 21, February 18, March 10, April 21, & June 9
Spring book reflections for spiritual directors, retreat leaders, pastoral ministers, and anyone who has completed the full Spiritual Exercises.  Sessions take place Saturday mornings, 9 -11:30 a.m.

Feed your spirit and find inspiration by coming to JRH for this fall book discussion series focusing on the book Christ in All Things: Exploring Spirituality with Teilhard de Chardin by Ursula King. We will gather in a spirit of prayer to share reflections and insights based on this biography of Teilhard making application to our lives and ministry.  Coffee and conversation will begin at 9 a.m. with the reflection to follow from 9:30-11:30 a.m.  Suggested donation is $8/session or $20/series.  Register here or call (440) 884-9300 for more information.