A reason to retreat5 min read

Catholics can explore and deepen their spiritual lives through retreats offered in and outside the Diocese of Superior. Styles range from academic and creative to recreational, introspective and contemplative. Following are a sample of regional offerings.

Diocese of Superior retreats

Into the Deep Men’s Retreat, March 22-24, CrossWoods Camp, Mason. For men, ages 25-55, to focus on the challenges of balancing family life, careers, and a life of committed discipleship. Features talks on the need for a life of deep prayer and conversion by Fr. Timothy Ekaitis, Diocese of Marquette, Michigan. Cost: $60. Email or call 715-234-5044 to register.

Koinonia, March 22-24, St. Bridget, River Falls. The Koinonia weekend begins 4:30 p.m. Friday and concludes at 4 p.m. Sunday. Each day builds on the central theme of the Paschal mystery. A second 2019 Koinonia weekend is slated for Oct. 11-13 in Dobie.

Marywood Spirituality Center, Arbor Vitae

Icon Retreat: Our Lady of Tenderness, April 21-27, 5 p.m. Sunday to 10 a.m. Saturday. Each participant will write/paint an icon of Our Lady of Tenderness. No painting experience needed. All materials provided. Facilitator: Barb Lawless. Fee: $650 for residents includes private room in a shared cabin. Commuters: $475. Registration and $100 deposit by April 10.

The Beauty of God and of Soul, June 21-24, 9 a.m. Friday to 1 p.m. Monday. These retreat days offer time to notice and explore the beauty of color, music, nature and God through prayer, presentations, creative activities, afternoons of pondering or rest, but mostly by simply being in the quiet beauty of the Northwoods. Presenter: Pat Pintens. Fee: $280 for residents. Commuters: $175. Registration and $100 deposit by June 7.

Wilderness and Wonder: A Canoe-Camping Retreat, July 14-17, 4 p.m. Sunday to 4 p.m. Wednesday. Come experience the goodness of God manifested in the Wisconsin Northwoods during this contemplative outdoors retreat on the water. Facilitator: Sr. Julia Walsh. Fee: $475 for residents. Registration and $100 deposit by June 28.

Word and Community: A Writers Retreat, July 21-27, 5 p.m. Sunday to 10 a.m. Saturday. This retreat will provide an opportunity to honor the word as we write together in a creative community, away from daily distractions Facilitator: Sr. Julia Walsh. Fee: $595 for residents. Commuters: $295. Registration and $100 deposit by July 5.

Resident fees include all materials, meals and accommodations. For details, call 715-385-3750 or visit www.marywoodsc.org.

Carmel of the Sacred Heart Monastery, Hudson

The Carmelite nuns host private retreats at their hermitage/guest quarters. Participation in Masses and the Liturgy of the Hours is optional; guests will enjoy wooded areas, gardens and a scenic view of the St. Croix River. Call 715-386-2156 or email for details.

St. Anthony Spirituality Center, Marathon

Celtic Retreat: Ireland’s Holy Three, March 15-17. Learn about Ss. Patrick, Brigid and Columcille, Ireland’s three patron saints. Leader Fr. Dan Crosby has studied and been inspired by each of them. Cost: $200.

Scripture Retreat: Book of Isaiah, March 29-31, Friday, 6:30 p.m. supper to Sunday, 1 p.m. Presenter is Fr. Robert Streveler. Isaiah is the prophet we hear most often in our Scripture readings at worship. He appeals for justice and gives us prophecies concerning salvation. Confronted by the awesome holiness of God in the temple, he finds his sin forgiven and responds to God’s call for a prophet by saying “Here I am! Send me.” Bring a Bible. Cost: $190.

Personality Style: How it shapes our Interactions with Others, July 20-21, led by Elizabeth Lewis.

Retreat for those Left Behind: Suicide, Aug. 23-25, led by Catherine Kuschel.

Cost includes all needs. For details or to register, visit sarcenter.com, call 715-443-2236 or email .

St. Scholastica Monastery, Duluth

Praying with The Saint John’s Bible: Illuminating Your Lenten Journey, Friday, March 22, 9 a.m., to Sunday, March 24, 2 p.m. Retreatants will learn the practice of visio divina and also be introduced to the medieval arts of calligraphy and artistic illumination. This practice of praying with visual images is called visio divina or “divine seeing.”  It is adapted from the sixth-century Benedictine practice of Bible reading called lectio divina, using both the text and art to help the reader encounter the living Word of God. Cost: $210 or $320 with overnight stay.

The Path to Healing after War: A retreat for women who have been touched by the challenge and trauma of war, Friday, May 3, 6-8:30 p.m., and Saturday, May 4, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. A retreat designed to encourage healing and connection in the holding environment of the Benedictine Sisters of St. Scholastica Monastery. Cost: $160 with overnight stay.

Cost includes meals and materials. For details, visit retreatduluth.org or call 218-723-6699.

Jesuit Retreat House on Lake Winnebago, Oshkosh

The Jesuit Retreat House offers weekend preached retreats for men and couples, 12-step recovery retreats and summer directed retreats. For details, visit www.jesuitretreathouse.org or call 800-962-7330.

Shalom Spirituality Center, Dubuque, Iowa

Sponsored by the Sisters of St. Francis of Dubuque, the Shalom Spirituality Center offers workshops, seminars and retreats. The Heart of Compassion, March 22-24, explores compassion, which is strongly associated with emotional well-being, less anxiety, and the ability to respond to difficult moments with care and understanding. This retreat will include meditation, short talks, experiential exercise and group discussion. Cost: $200, includes accommodations and all needs. Email or call 563-582-3592 for information.

New Melleray Abbey, Peosta, Iowa

Trappist monks host private and themed retreats at their abbey near Dubuque, Iowa. The next themed retreat, Lent: The Passion according to St. Luke, is March 8-10. This silent retreat will focus on the Last Supper, the rejection/trial of Jesus, His crucifixion, and His resurrection as told in this year’s Gospel of Luke. Cost: $180 for accommodations, meals and materials. Call 563-588-2319 or visit newmelleray.org for information.