What is a retreat?
It's a gift to yourself — a way to step aside from everyday concerns to relax and care for your soul. We provide time for rest, reflection, prayer, and discussion; however, your retreat can be as structured or as unstructured as you like. Retreats begin Friday evening and end Sunday noon. At Holy Family, you’ve entered another dimension, one that encourages you to relax, breathe deeply, and be renewed by God.

What do you do on retreat?
Retreats at Holy Family are comprised of conferences, workshops, prayer services, and free time. While the schedule is open to everyone, all the programming is voluntary. We encourage you to attend the activities that interest you and plan your time accordingly.

View a typical weekend schedule

View a retreat slideshow

What is the theme of a retreat?
The retreat team at Holy Family develops a new theme each summer to be presented throughout the retreat season (September-June). In addition, various workshops are offered each weekend to support the retreat theme.

View the 2009-2010 Retreat Theme

View a list of commonly offered workshops

When does a retreat take place?
Retreatants begin arriving after 3:00 p.m. on Friday afternoon. A buffet dinner is available from 6:00-8:00 p.m. in the dining room. The retreat officially begins at 8:00 p.m. on Friday night and concludes on Sunday around noon. With nearly 30 retreats per year, the retreat season at Holy Family opens in September and concludes in June.

Who goes on retreat?
People of all ages and from all walks of life. The common denominator is the desire for a greater realization of God's presence in our lives. You don't have to have a strong religious background. What you do need is a thirst for a deeper relationship with God and a desire to bring God into your daily life.

Why make a retreat?
Our lives are so full of responsibilities, worries, and noise that we're unable to find the quiet needed to hear God's voice. Our concerns with families, jobs, health, finance, and personal relationships may override our commitment to spiritual growth-- even when we need it most! A retreat helps us regain balance and perspective and also todevelop a new awareness that God loves us and is always with us.

Can I have my own room?
Unless you request a roommate, you will be assigned to a private room. Our accommodations are simple and impeccably clean. You will feel the care and hospitality that our housekeeping staff invests in our rooms.