Writer's Retreat
An Ignatian, Semi-Slient Extended Weekend Retreat for Adults
October 2 - 5, 2025
Suggested Contribution: $480.00 per person
Groups Attending: Individuals
Summary
Whether you see yourself as a full-time writer or a part-time hobbyist, God calls us to use the gift of the written word to be of service to others. In this retreat, Catholic authors Lisa M. Hendey and Amy J. Cattapan will explore the ways we can discern how God is calling us to write.
Description
This retreat includes several presentations, daily mass, 9 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. We do offer the option for small group discussions with other writers on this retreat. Additionally, retreatants can choose to eat lunch in silence or in a room with others that want to talk about the retreat and their writing.
Bellarmine has two libraries, a resource center, two chapels, and many other common areas. Outdoor spaces include 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
Retreat Leaders
Lisa M. Hendey
Lisa M. Hendey is the founder of CatholicMom.com and the bestselling and award-winning author of several fiction and non-fiction books for adults and children, including The Grace of Yes, The Catholic Mom’s Prayer Companion, and I’m a Saint in the Making. Lisa’s children’s project, the “Chime Travelers” fiction series for elementary school readers, is read in schools, children’s groups, and churches worldwide and is being adapted into an animated series. A podcast host, Lisa has produced and hosted multiple programs and has appeared on EWTN, CNN, CatholicTV, and various radio outlets. Her articles have appeared in Catholic Digest, America Magazine, National Catholic Register, and Our Sunday Visitor. Hendey travels internationally, giving workshops and retreats. She was selected as an Elizabeth Egan Journalism Fellow. Lisa has traveled and shared her writing from Rwanda, Tanzania, Colombia, the Philippines, Kenya, the Dominican Republic, Australia, and India to serve several non-profit organizations. Lisa earned a bachelor’s degree in modern languages from the University of Notre Dame and a master’s degree in Adult Education from Vanderbilt University. Lisa and her husband, Greg, are active members of St. Paul the Apostle Parish in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, California.
Dr. Amy Cattapan
Amy J. Cattapan, DM, Ed.D., is an award-winning author, speaker, and middle school English teacher living in the Chicago area. Her books for teachers include Sweet Jesus, Is It June Yet? and A Saint Squad for Teachers. She has also written two award-winning novels: Angelhood and Seven Riddles to Nowhere. Her latest book, a 30-day retreat with Mother Cabrini, will be released in 2025. Amy earned a bachelor’s degree in English Education (Marquette University), a master’s degree in Language Arts Instruction (Northeastern Illinois University), and a doctorate in curriculum and instruction (Loyola University Chicago). In 2020, Amy began assisting with retreats at Bellarmine. Since then, she has completed training in leading Ignatian-style retreats and has led retreats for teachers and parish workers across the country.