A spiritual retreat is a time set aside for removing oneself from one's usual environment and routine in order to become immersed in one’s own life. A retreat can be taken for reasons related to stress, health, lifestyle, or social or ecological concerns. A retreat can also be a time of solitude or a community experience. For the past two (2) years, SDM has utilized the community experience.

This year, we will implement more disciple and silence, allowing an opportunity for turning within. Silence renews and provides a perspective that subtlety changes our relationship with the life we know. A retreat can also provide internal stillness and gentle concentration. It allow for a pause in our constant and unremitting demands of our daily life. By practicing silence this year, we will nurture our listening skills. When our listening skills are fine tuned, we will find our true self and hear the quiet voice of God within.

A retreat can be a booster and an accelerator of the spiritual journey - you go a long way in a short time. But if it is not continued then by some daily process, its primary benefit and effect will be missed. A retreat provides a focused opportunity to learn and strengthen practices which may lead us to a shift in perception, thereby changing our relationship with life and the world around us. This is the 'miracle' of the spiritual journey in life.

I pray that you join us this year for ultimate renewal, renewal of mind, body and soul! Reserve your space before June 30, 2010. Recollect a scattered life and focus on the one who calls and seeks and invites us to communion."

Dorothy James
Spiritual

P.S.: The $50 fee listed above is for your deposit only. This is to hold your space. No further communications will be sent regarding deposits.