PROGRAMS AND EVENTS
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INTRODUCTION
From its 1926 beginning, Manresa has offered three-day and four-day conference retreats, and has since added individually directed retreats. But Manresa is more than a Retreat House; in reality, it is a Spirituality Center with many other opportunities for spiritual growth.
SPIRITUAL DIRECTION
WHAT IS SPIRITUAL DIRECTION?
Spiritual direction is about intensifying one’s relationship with God. It is noticing and savoring God’s presence in everyday living.
Because every aspect of your life affects your relationship with God, ordinary concerns such as work, family, relationships, emotional hurts, joy, anger, fears, anxieties, addictions or dreams are shared in spiritual direction. A director helps you explore whatever may block you from knowing God’s loving presence as well as whatever may increase that awareness. You are helped to truly see yourself through God’s eyes as the gift you are.
Spiritual direction helps develop the skill of discernment, which enables you to be more attentive to how God is leading and guiding you. You grow in noticing the ways in which God is touching your life, directly or indirectly.
Some people prefer the term “spiritual companionship” because “spiritual direction” sounds like one person giving directions, or orders, to another. What you call it doesn’t make any real difference. The reality remains: it is conversation about your life in the light of faith.
Spiritual direction is not counseling. It is not therapy. It is not financial advice. It is not a friendship.
MUST I COME TO MANRESA TO MEET WITH A SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR?
While there are spiritual directors who meet with persons at Manresa, there are directors who meet with individuals throughout southeastern Michigan and Ohio.
WHAT SHOULD I LOOK FOR IN A SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR?
A spiritual director is someone called to and well prepared for this ministry. She or he should be grounded in the Scriptures, sustained by a deep prayer life and carefully trained in the area of discernment. It may be helpful if she or he has experience or expertise in areas related to your life situation. But it is not essential.
The relationship between you and a director is based on confidentiality and a sense of trust, which enable you to be comfortable and open with your director.
HOW OFTEN DO I MEET WITH MY SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR?
Frequency varies with individual need and circumstance. Generally, meeting every four weeks or so is ideal. More or fewer sessions may be appropriate for others.
WHAT DOES IT COST?
It is customary to offer a stipend to support the spiritual director in this ministry. You and the director should discuss this during your first session.
HOW DO I BEGIN?
If you are interested in learning more about spiritual direction or would like to meet with a director, contact Ann Dillon. She is a member of our staff who can answer your questions. She will also help you find a director who would be a good match for you. Ann can be reached by calling Manresa at 248.644.4933 Ext. 107, or you may email Ann at adillon@manresa-sj.org.
Click here for the brochure.
PROGRAMS FOR WOMEN AND/OR MEN
Programs for Men and Women: Fall 2022
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- Praying with Art: The Parables | Sept. 6, 20; Oct. 4, 18; Nov. 1, 15, 2022 | Register here
- Lectio Prayer Group | Sept. 12, Oct. 10, Nov. 14, Dec. 12, 2022 | Register here
- Facets of Grief | Sept. 11, Nov. 6, 2022; Feb. 5, Apr 16, 2023 | Register here
- Book Study: Braving the Thin Places | Sept. 12, 26; Oct. 10, 24, 2022 | Register here
- Christian Yoga Classes | Sept. 12, 29, 26; Oct. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 | Nov. 7, 14, 21, 28 | Dec. 5, 12, 2022 | Register here
- Scripture Study: The Gospel of Mark | Sept. 13, 27; Oct. 11, 25; Nov. 8, 22; Dec. 6, 2022 | Register here
- A Day to Call Your Own | Sept. 19, Oct. 20, Nov. 16, Dec. 7, 2022 | Register here
- Ignatian Spirituality Through Film & TV | Sept. 21, Oct. 5, Oct. 19, Oct 26, 2022 | Register here
- Sunday Afternoon Guided Contemplative Prayer/ Domingo de oración contemplative guiada | Sept. 18, Oct. 23, Nov. 13, Dec. 4, 2022 | Register here
- Discernment in Daily Life | Oct. 25, Nov. 22, 2022 | Register here
If you are interested in any of these events, click on it and you will be presented with further information and a “Register” button if it is necessary to register. Complete the registration process as instructed.
DAYS OF PRAYER AND RECOLLECTION
I – Days of Recollection
In addition to our regular weekend and midweek retreats, we are available for Days of Prayer and Recollection.
Days of Recollection are offered for groups of parishioners or others with a minimum of 20 and a maximum of 80 people.
The schedule for such days can be determined by the group organizer. A typical schedule might be the following:
9:30 AM | Welcome: Coffee & Pastry |
10:00 AM | Conference / Private Prayer |
11:00 AM | Holy Hour or Healing Service |
12:00 | Lunch |
1:00 PM | Conference / Private Prayer |
1:50 PM | Devotionals |
2:15 PM | Mass or Prayer Service |
3 PM | Departure |
A group may decide on different arrival or departure times and on the structure of the day.
The cost for a Day of Reflection (including lunch) is $40 for adults and $30 for seniors.
The cost for student and youth retreat days (including lunch) are priced as follows:
- $25 per person (using a Manresa presenter/facilitator)
- $22 per person (using its own presenter/facilitator)
II – Time Away for Parish Staff, Lay Leadership, Committees & Groups
Manresa is an attractive place for parish staff, parish lay leadership, or parish committees or other groups to meet, whether for a part of a day or an evening, for a whole day, or for an overnight. If desired, the Manresa staff can supply some appropriate input.
III -Younger People
Manresa can host prayer days and prayer experiences for youth groups or for those preparing for Confirmation. The parish sponsoring such experiences must bring their own director and prefects.
III -A Day to Call Your Own
Manresa offers you a “day to call your own” one day a month to get away from the busyness and noise of everyday life. We provide you with a private room and a simple soup lunch. Enjoy the silence and peace that is Manresa. We have four chapels, a comfortable library, a bookstore; pray at our outdoor labyrinth or Stations of the Cross; enjoy the nature and beauty of our grounds.
The day starts 8:00AM and goes to 3:30PM. Reflect, meditate, pray, walk, soul-search, read and just be.
Our next opportunities will be:
2022 Schedule: Click HERE for the flyer