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Discerning Your Decision

An Ignatian, Silent Weekend Retreat for Adults

February 10 - 12, 2023

Groups Attending: Individuals

This retreat begins on Friday, but there is still space available. To register, call the office at 847-381-1261.

Summary

Are you facing some tough decisions, or one big choice to make and having a hard time deciding?  Or are you concerned that you are not doing what God wants you to be doing?  Do you find yourself asking questions such as: 

  • Should I trust my gut?
  • What do I really want?
  • What will make me and others happy in the long run? 
  • Am I using my God given talents to the best of my ability? 
  • What's God's will? 

If so, this retreat can help you. Drawing on insights from his book, “What’s Your Decision?”, Fr. Michael will present an “Ignatian tool kit” for discernment and decision making, leading a series of prayer exercises designed to help us listen to God. 

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. This retreat is open to men and women who will sleep on separate floors of the retreat house. 

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

Retreat Experience Gallery

Retreat Leader

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.