Description

This retreat includes several presentations, daily mass, 6 meals, the opportunity for one-on-one spiritual direction with a trained spiritual director, and many other opportunities to explore our 80 acres and almost 60k square feet of  interior space. All activities are optional, but we do ask everyone to respect the quiet of the retreat house for everyone to have the opportunity to read, sleep and reflect in the quiet. 

Bellarmine has two libraries, a resource center, two chapels, and many other common areas. Outdoor spaces include a various walking trails, various prayer gardens, a gazebo, stations of the cross, as well as a few patios and outdoor chairs and benches. Each retreatant has their own bedroom. 

You can learn more about what to expect by visiting this page.

Retreat Experience Gallery

Bellarmine Main Entrance

Sacred Heart Chapel

Mary McKeon Library

St. Joseph Gazebo

Mother Teresa Garden

Eastern Africa Collection

Fireplace Lounge

Dining Room

Winter on the Grounds

Resource Center

Sacred Heart Statue at Sunset

Susie's Memorial Garden

Madonna Library

Lower Level Lounge

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Retreat Leaders

Mrs. Mary McKeon

Mary McKeon is a member of Bellarmine's ministry staff, a spiritual director, and coordinator of women's ministry.  Mary is a graduate of Marquette University.  She taught school in Milwaukee's inner city before moving to Washington, DC to work for the United States Senate.  She and her late husband have a daughter, son-in-law, granddaughter, and three grandsons who are the joy of her life.  Mary received her training as a spiritual/retreat director at the Jesuits' Manresa Retreat House in Bloomfield Hills, MI, where she served on the ministry team and became their first Director of Women's Ministry.  In 2014, Mary was the second person to be honored with Manresa's Lifetime Achievement Award.

Catherine Palenik

Catherine Palenik grew up in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, the only child of Mary and David McKeon.  She attended an all-girls Catholic High School (Marian), then spent four wonderful years at Villanova University graduating with degrees in both sociology and history.  Catherine's graduate work was done at the University of Michigan where she received a Masters of Social Work degree.   This is where she met her husband, Christopher (now married for almost 8 years).  Catherine did geriatric social work and then served as a school social worker for several years prior to deciding to stay home with their oldest son.  Chris and Catherine now live in Geneva, IL and have three active little boys, John, Joseph and Michael, and a daughter, Mary Claire.