Bethlehem Bound: Praying Advent with St. Ignatius
A Day of Reflection for Adults
Monday, December 16, 2019
9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Program Cost: $50.00 (includes Lunch)
This program begins on Monday, but there is still space available. To register, call the office at 847-381-1261.
Summary
Amidst the hustle and bustle of this holiday season, we can find ourselves strung out and stressed out in what we want to be a season of grace. St Ignatius to the rescue! Come pray with stories, songs, gentle movements and guided prayers to help still your mind, quiet your heart, and center your soul on the true meaning of Christmas.
Description
A day or evening of reflection, grounded in the Jesuit tradition, is a shorter version of the Ignatian Weekend Retreat. Wherever you are on your spiritual journey, a day or evening program is sure to give you the peace and serenity needed to be still and to rest in God's loving embrace.
Your day or evening of reflection includes thematic talks from our skilled Retreat Leaders, time for private prayer, celebration of Mass and a meal.
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.
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. 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.
Listen to a talk by Fr. Michael.
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.