The Jesuit Retreat House held its annual fundraising event Hearts on Fire on May 13 at 6:00 p.m. at 5629 State Road in Parma.  The event gathered more than 300 professionals for cocktails and dinner catered by Sammy's followed by the program and award presentations. 

Guest speaker for the event was Rev. Howard Gray, S.J.,[pictured in middle of top right photo] Special Assistant to the President at Georgetown University and former Director of Mission and Identity at John Carroll University. In his reflection, Fr. Gray asserted the importance of Jesuit Retreat House as “a place on the road of life where people can pause to let the word of the Lord touch their hearts anew, to deepen their interior lives…and a respite from the chaotic and angry debates that cloud our political and religious environment, a place where people find peace.”

Hearts on Fire serves as the primary benefit raising funds for the mission and ministry of Jesuit Retreat House.  Sr. Mary Ann Flannery, S.C., Director of the Jesuit Retreat House, said “Hearts on Fire is a festive benefit needed for maintaining our present programs and developing future programs that help people find the peace of God in their lives.”

Honored at the event were Richard Jerdonek (pictured upper right, at far right in photo), former board member at Jesuit Retreat House and the West Side Catholic Center , and Joan Nuth, PhD (pictured bottom right, at left in photo), director of the Ignatian Spirituality Institute at John Carroll University .  They received the Ignatian Spirituality Award, an annual honor given to the individuals for outstanding work in spiritual direction and retreat ministry. Co-chairs for the event were Brian and Maria Dean,  Susie Brooks Murphy of Shaker Heights , and Rev. Robert Welsh, S.J., former president of  
St. Ignatius High School. 

Founded in 1898 by members of the Society of Jesus, Jesuit Retreat 
House provides a sacred setting for spiritual retreats and programs serving people of all ages.  Situated on 57 acres of forest and meadow, Jesuit Retreat House is the oldest lay retreat center in the United States and the main Catholic retreat center serving the Greater Cleveland area.  More information about Jesuit Retreat House may be found by calling (440) 884-9300 or visiting www.jrh-cleveland.org.