Silent Retreat - Spiritual Exercises
October 23 - 25, 2009
Convent Suites
St. Columbkille Parish
Dubuque, Iowa

The themes of this retreat will be the Blessed Virgin Mary and the writings of St. Francis de Sales. St. Francis de Sales' book, Introduction to the Devout Life, was written for the laity and has been a blessing to many, through the centuries, in their walk with Jesus.

"Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10

Fr. Doug is a former Episcopal Priest who converted to the Catholic Church with his wife and four children in 1979. He was ordained to the priesthood in the Catholic Church by Bishop Thomas O'Brien in 1984 and served as a teacher at St. Marks in Phoenix and Seton High School in Chandler during the years after converting. He was then Administrator of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Queen Creek for a number of years, and Pastor of St. Thomas Byzantine Parish in Gilbert. After that he served as Pastor of St. Anne's in Gilbert for 14 years and is presently Pastor of St. Maria Goretti in Scottsdale. For many years Fr. Doug has served as spiritual director of the Mir Center of Arizona.

---

Comments from previous retreat participants:
- "The constant spiritual atmosphere - No hurrying or rushing anywhere. … The weekend really made me think of some changes I should make."
- "The Masses and devotionals were celebrated with great reverence for the kingship of God and the Holiness of Mary our mother. It was truly a blessing to have been at this retreat."
- "It was my second most powerful retreat ever! (I have gone on quite a lot of retreats.)"
- "Thank you so much for all your hard work to plan the silent retreat. It was like coming home after being gone for years."