Retreats and Programs

Return to the Root
Thursday March 9, 16, 23, 30, 2023
In Person only

Take time this Lent to return to the Lord and be refreshed! Using Joyce Rupp's, Return to the Root, along with other meaningful discussion quesions, new poems and prayers, Sr. Marie Pauline will lead us in contemplation of what is at the root of our lives and what keeps us rooted. Materials will be provided so purchase of the book is optional and available at many retailers including Rupp's website or a Kindle version through Amazon. 

Ephiphanies of Beauty
Saturday, May 20, 2023
In-Person or Zoom

Sr. Geralyn Schmidt is an artist who strives to reflect God's love and mercy in her art, will lead a discussion on the purpose of Sacred Art with an emphasis on deepening our love for God and finding the ways God touches our soul through art. Sister will share samplings of her own work ans well as offer participants the opportunity to share their own sacred works of art.   

Suggested donation $50 includes lunch. (Zoom $35)
10:30 AM - 3:00 PM; Arrival/Coffee 10:00 AM
More Information/Printable Event Registration

Spirituali-Tea
Sunday, October 22, 2023
In-Person only

Nina Androski, Brand Ambassador for Tealightful Tea and tea expert will introduce us to the world of loose-leaf tea, from plant to cup and share the wellness benefits of the brew. Sr. Marie Pauline will share the spiritual benefits of this gift from God, including the four virtues of tea: reverence, purity, tranquility, and harmony. 

Suggested donation $40 includes lunch.
1:00 PM
More information/Printable event registration

June 4-11, 2023 - Six-Day Preached Retreat 
Facilitator: Rev. Dennis J. W. O'Donnell
Theme: Space and Time to Re-cover, Dis-cover, De-serve!

Ordained in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia May 1974, Fr. Dennis O’Donnell is currently the Director of Integrated Health Services at Holy Redeemer Hospital. From 1989 to 2006, Fr. O'Donnell served as the Rector and Spiritual Director at St. Joseph in the Hills, the Malvern Retreat House in Pennsylvania. He conducts weekend retreats and days of recollection for many different groups (seniors, married couples, faculty, and students) as well as retreats for religious, clergy, and parish missions throughout the USA.

Fr. O'Donnell is a board member and co-founder of Amigos de Jesús, a home and bilingual school in Honduras for 130 children and young adults. Fr. O'Donnell's love for the 'least of us' has been the driving force behind Amigos de Jesús. Father travels at least four times a year to Honduras where he spends time with the children.

July 6-13, 2023: Six-Day Preached Retreat 
Faciltator: Melannie Svoboda, SND
Theme: A Celebration of Hope

As Christians, we are called to be people of hope. But how do we do this amid the gloom and doom that sometimes pervade the daily news and our personal lives? This retreat explores the nature of hope and its intrinsic relation to faith, love, and courage. It will also offer some practical ways we can nourish hope in our daily lives—such as through prayer, friendship, love of nature, service, beauty, letting go, and playfulness. Using scripture, short videos, poetry, music, and humor, we will (hopefully!) be drawn closer to our Beloved God, the ultimate source of all.

Sr. Melannie Svoboda is a Sister of Notre Dame of Chardon, OH for over 50 years. Throughout these years, she served as a high school and college teacher, novice director, and provincial (president) of her congregation and ministered in the Jesuit novitiate in Detroit for six years. Currently she writes and gives talks and retreats nationally. A free-lance writer, her articles appear in numerous publications including America, Catholic Digest, Liguorian, Living Faith, Review for Religious, and Give Us This Day. She is the author of thirteen books including Traits of a healthy Spirituality; When the Rain Speaks: Celebrating God's Presence in Nature; With the Dawn Rejoicing: A Christian Perspective on Pain and Suffering. Her favorite pastimes include walking, reading, listening to music, conversing with friends, working puzzles, playing Scrabble, and cheering on her beloved Cleveland teams

Location: Villa Pauline Retreat and Spiritual Center 352 Bernardsville Rd., Mendham, NJ
Open to:  SCCs and Religious Sisters of other communities, Lay Women and Men.  
Fee: $500 (No deposit needed)

July 6-13, 2023: Six-Day Directed Retreat 
Directors: Sr. Carol Makravitz, SCC and Sr. Teresa Skierkowski, SCC 

Directors: Sr. Carol Makravitz SCC and Sr. Teresa Skierkowski SCC
Sr. Carol Makravitz is a staff member of Villa Pauline engaged in spiritual direction and programs. Sister trained for Spiritual Direction at Scranton University and in giving the 30-day retreat through the Spiritual Exercises Institute at Inisfada, Manhasset, NY. Sister received training in giving directed retreats at Mariandale Retreat Center, Ossining, NY.

Sr. Teresa Skierkowski is also on staff at Villa Pauline. Sister holds a Master’s degree in Theology and Administration. Sister facilitates programs and offers spiritual direction at the Villa. Sister trained in spiritual direction at Linwood Retreat Center, Rhinebeck, NY and is also a supervisor of spiritual directors.

The 19th Annotation of the Spiritual Exercises is a profound and transformative retreat experience that is made over a period of nine months in daily life.  The Exercises are organized around four “weeks” as they were originally given during the structure of a 30 day retreat.  St. Ignatius himself found that many people could not, because of family or business reasons, take thirty days off, leave home, and go away for a retreat.  So he created an adaptation of the Exercises, which would be extended over a period of time.    This is what is known as the 19th Annotation.                                                                  
Begins September 2023 or call for other options.  $750—$1400 sliding scale.

To register call:
Sr. Teresa at 201-602-2235 or
Sr.  Carol at 570-704-9903 
for more information.