What are the Spiritual Exercises?
An Ignatian, Silent Weekend Retreat for Adults
February 24 - 26, 2023
Groups Attending: Sts. Peter & Paul, St. Thomas, & St. Raphael (Naperville), Queen of Peace (fka Divine Savior Norridge, St. Eugene and Our Lady Mother of the Church Parishes), Individuals
This retreat begins on Friday, but there is still space available. To register, call the office at 847-381-1261.
Summary
In an age where the Church was being ripped apart by theological debate, St Ignatius Loyola was led by God to help people experience God’s love directly. 500 years later Jesuit Priest Fr.Michael Sparough, SJ and Episcopal Priest Fr. Al Johnson are teaming up to share insights from their own experience of St Ignatius' soul enriching, life changing program of spiritual renewal. This is a retreat for both those new to The Spiritual Exercises as well as veterans of many retreats. Join these two dynamic preachers and prayer leaders in a deep ecumenical dive into the heart of Ignatian spirituality.
Description
This retreat includes 7 presentations, daily mass, 6 hot 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.
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
Retreat Leaders
Fr. Al Johnson
Fr. Al Johnson is a native Chicagoan (South Side) and an Episcopal Priest. Locally he most recently served as Rector of St. Michael’s Episcopal Church in Barrington. Now he serves in the Diocese of Northwestern Pennsylvania on a part-time basis. Al also serves as the volunteer chaplain for Barrington Countryside Fire District as well as participates regularly in the AA community in Barrington and in Erie, PA. Fr. Al is also married to Vickie and together they have three children, two alive, Hannah and Zachary, and one that died in 1989, Nicholas. They have been residents of the Barrington Community since 1990.
Fr. J. Michael Sparough, SJ
Fr. J. Michael Sparough, SJ is a retreat leader, poet, story teller and spiritual director at the Bellarmine Jesuit Retreat House in Barrington, IL. He holds an MFA from the Yale School of Drama and a Doctor of Ministry from St Mary of the Lake in Mundelein, IL. He is the founder of Charis, a national Jesuit retreat ministry for young adults in their 20s and 30s. For 10 years he trained spiritual directors at Loyola University-Chicago.
A prolific writer and speaker, Fr. Michael has published books, poems, CDs, and DVDs on prayer, discernment, and the sacraments with America Media, Franciscan Media, Paulist Press, Liturgical Training Publications and Audible. His latest co-authored book, published by Loyola Press, is What’s Your Decision? An Ignatian Approach to Decision Making.
Fr Michael is also the President of Heart to Heart Catholic Media Ministry. His weekly video homilies can be seen online at www.HtoH.US. He has just completed writing and directing a 12-part video series entitled: Discern & Decide: Navigating Life’s Choice, An Ignatian Video Guide.