Bethany Spiritual Book Club

The Spiritual Book Club provides participants with an opportunity for group sharing on the reflective reading of selected spiritual books.Each participant reads the text beforehand,and every two weeks personal reflections are prayerfully shared in the group. Coordinators: Erma E. McCarthy and Sr. Catherine McIntytre, RJM.

Sessions are held on Mondays every other week, 1:15 pm to 2:45 pm, beginning September 26. Book title: "Falling Upward", A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life by Richard Rohr.

Suggested Offering: $5 per session

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Confirmation Youth Retreats

Bethany offers youth retreats in preparation for Confirmation and Graduation.
The program, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., includes prayer, presentations, discussion, video clips, and guided meditation. Hot lunch is included. The retreat director is Mr. Tony Bellizzi, director of the Religious Catholic Youth Ministry of New Rochelle, NY, and founder of Hope for the Children. One chaperone is suggested for every ten youth (lunch is provided). Bethany offers an alternative to the program listed above for churches interested in a different schedule and content.

Available throughout the year in Spanish and English. Suggested Offering: $25 per student

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New Retreat Program for High School Students

A new Retreat Program for High School Students will be available at Bethany this year. The retreat will be offered as a day or overnight program depending on the needs of the school (or church) and availability at Bethany. Bethany is happy to offer the choice between two retreat directors, Jason Kiska and Elda Luisi. Jason is presently director of religious education at St. Michael Church, in CT. He has previously served as theology teacher and assistant chaplain at Fairfi eld Prep. Jason’s retreat program focuses on three interconnected spiritual exercises- releasing what hinders, receiving what guides, and integrating these insights into everyday life.

Bethany board member, Elda Luisi, is a member of the Church of St. Francis Xavier, New York City. She is an actress, playwright, director and workshop facilitator. Elda has led workshops at the Church of St. Francis Xavier, St. Anthony’s, and Seton Center for Women. She incorporates theatrical processes in reflecting on scripture to awaken the imagination and deepen a sense of intimacy with God’s word. A more detailed description and schedule of each retreat experience is
available upon request. If interested, please contact the Bethany office.

Suggested offering is negotiable depending on the program’s length, choice of weekday or weekend, and number of students.

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Valentine’s Dinner / Retreat Evening
for Married and Engaged Couples

“God is Love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them.”

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Bethany staff will guide a special evening program for married couples that includes candlelight dinner, prayerful reflection, discussion, and Holy Hour with renewal of vows.

Arrive for evening prayer at 6:00 pm. Dinner will be served at 6:30 pm. Depart at 9:00 pm.
Offering: $75 per couple. Please register by February 10th.

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Weekend Retreat for Women in AA and/or Al-Anon

March 23-25, 2012
Retreat Director: Sr. Maurice Doody, OP

Sr. Maurice is a highly esteemed retreat leader. Her experience and humor, her affable style of presentation, her understanding of the daily struggle, and her own “living of the program” make for insightful and enjoyable sharing. Sr. Maurice has been coming to Bethany for many years. Her retreats fill up very quickly.

Arrive at 6:30 pm on the first evening. Opening conference is at 8:00 pm. Depart after morning conference on Sunday. Offering: $145. Deposit:$50

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Mother - Daughter Overnight Retreat

May 11-12, 2012
Facilitated By: Sr. Stella Herrera, RJM

This overnight retreat will be guided by Bethany staff and will provide participants with an opportunity to spend time together in a prayerful, peaceful setting in preparation for Mother’s Day.

Friday –
7:00 pm Arrival
7:30 pm Introduction
8:30 pm Group Sharing
9:00 pm Refreshments
10:00 pm Night Prayer

Saturday –
8:00 am Breakfast
9:00 am Morning Prayer and Brief Reflection
9:30 am Contemplative Walk and Private Time
11:30 am Mother’s Day Blessing
12:00 noon Lunch
1:00 pm Departure

Sr. Stella Herrera, RJM, has served in the educational apostolate to the poor and in ministry to farm workers for many years. Her post-graduate degrees are from Fordham University. Sr. Stella has additional training in Ignatian spirituality and many years of experience in spiritual direction and retreat ministry. Her knowledge of, and teaching skill in, the area of prayer has made her a popular presenter in New York and elsewhere.

Offering: $55 per person. Deposit $50.

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Magnetic Christianity: Using Your God-Given Gifts to Build the Kingdom

Weekend Retreat - June 22-24, 2012
One Day Retreat - June 23, 2012
Director: Gus Lloyd

Gus Lloyd, Author and speaker, and host of the radio talk show “Seize the Day” on the Catholic Channel will offer a weekend and a day retreat at Bethany Spirituality Center.

This retreat will explore living the Christian life and using your God-given gifts as tools to bring others to Christ.

Weekend Retreat: Arrive for 5:30 pm dinner on Friday and depart after lunch on Sunday.
Offering: $200. Deposit: $50

One Day Retreat: Saturday, June 23, will be open to day retreatants. Arrive at 9:00 am for coffee and pasty and depart after 4:00 pm Liturgy.
Offering: $70. Deposit: $50

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Retreats and Programs in Spanish

See the En Español page for more information on Retreats and Programs conducted in Spanish.