|
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a retreat?
A retreat is a time away from one's ordinary life which aims to be an encounter
with God. Often it helps to be in a different physical space, like a
retreat house. Most retreat houses, including St. Raphaela Center use the
surrounding natural beauty as a backdrop for this special encounter with God.
Our grounds during winter are particularly beautiful (see at right). Check
out our retreat explanation page
for more details on different kinds of retreat.
What is spiritual direction?
Spiritual direction is somewhat like physical training. Just as you might
hire a personal trainer to help your body get in shape, you enlist the help of a
spiritual director to help you with your spiritual life. You share your
spiritual goals and hopes, strengths and weaknesses with a spiritual director,
and he or she works with you so that you can uncover God's will for your life,
deepen your prayer life, grow in virtue and fidelity to God, and become a more
fulfilled, more whole human being. A spiritual director does not tell you
what to do, make demands of you, or act as a mental health practitioner.
If you have questions about what spiritual direction will be like, talk with the
person you are considering using as your spiritual director.
Why should I pay for retreats or spiritual
direction? Doesn't my contribution to the Church cover this?
The Handmaids, like all Religious, are required by the Church to be financially
independent. No Sister, Brother, or Religious Priest gets a salary just
for being a Religious. We must work paying jobs in order to live, just
like you do. Some of us are professionals who work in a parish, school, or
social service agency. Others of us are professionals who work in the
retreat house. Spiritual directors and retreat directors have had years of
training, often at great expense, so that they can be the best possible resource
for you. Your payment not only provides these professionals with a salary,
but also pays for the upkeep of the retreat center itself (electricity, repairs,
heat, water, the gutter repairs depicted at right, etc.). The fees we charge are less than the actual cost of
upkeep and salaries; indeed, the retreat center runs a deficit almost every
year.
What if I cannot pay?
St. Raphaela Center has a policy of never turning anyone away because of
inability to pay. If you are interested in coming to the Retreat Center
and cannot afford our rates, please call 610-642-5715 so that we can discuss
alternative payment arrangements.
Can I bring my group to the retreat house?
The retreat house calendar gets booked early, so call us today to find out if we
can accommodate your group. We accept groups of any religious affiliation
as long as their purpose in coming to the retreat center is of a religious
nature (corporate "retreats" of a non-spiritual nature do not qualify).
Prices are negotiable depending on occupancy, resource requests, number of
meals, etc. Talk to Sister Margaret at (610) 642-5715.
Can I come to your gift shop?
Certainly. If you are not part of a retreat, you can still come by and
shop, Monday-Friday during business hours. Enter at "Our Lady's Hall" (the
staff entrance) and someone can direct you to the gift shop. If you want
to visit us during other times, call for an appointment.
I think I left something at the retreat house.
Do you have it?
We keep lost articles as long as we can, and try to reunite them with their
owners. Call us at (610) 642-5715 or come by and we'll see if we have your
missing item.
What's your question? Did we leave something
important out? Let us know!
|
