Join us Monday, March 21.
Virtual Busy Person’s Retreat at the Academy of the Sacred Heart
This flexible retreat opportunity is open to ALL Academy alumni, faculty, staff, parents and trustees, whatever your faith tradition. If you are unable to commit to all the components of the retreat, please don’ t let that hold you back from participating. Be open to whatever you need in this moment. The Spirit works, no matter what.
A Busy Person’s retreat:
… helps you to deepen your relationship with God
… fits into your busy schedule
… allows you to enter into a retreat-like atmosphere and maintain your regular daily routine
… makes available a spiritual companion to meet with you virtually throughout the week at a time you arrange
… provides opportunities for learning new ways of praying
Components of the Retreat:
- Orientation/Opening Prayer: Attend the Opening Orientation/Prayer via Zoom on Monday, March 1, 3:45 – 4:45 p.m.
- Communal Prayer: Participate in a 20-minute Contemplative Prayer via Zoom on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 7:15-7:35 a.m. (This prayer will also be available as a recording and sent out to those participating in the retreat)
- Closing Prayer: Attend the Closing Prayer via Zoom on Friday, March 5, 3:45 – 4:45 p.m.
Note: A Zoom link will be sent out ahead of time for the above gatherings - Daily Personal Prayer: Set aside time for personal prayer every day during the retreat.
- Meeting with a Spiritual Companion: If you would like to meet with a Spiritual Companion during the retreat, please select your choices below. You will be matched with a Companion and the two of you can then arrange your meeting times for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of the retreat, and the method you will use to meet (phone, Zoom, Facetime, etc.).
The Spiritual Companion
During the retreat you will have an opportunity to meet with a spiritual companion. Your companion will help you to listen to God’s presence and assist with whatever will make it easier for you to enter more fully into relationship with God. With your companion you explore what you have experienced of God’s inner working in you. You might share your desires or discouragements, your joys or sorrows. The purpose of the companioning sessions is to help you become more attuned to God’s presence through dialog with another. Your meetings with your Companion will be held in confidential respect and trust.
Agnes Hoormann, RSCJ
Sr. Aggie Hoormann is an alum of the Academy of the Sacred Heart, St. Charles and Maryville, St. Louis. She has served at the Academy in St. Charles, the Rosary, and Grand Coteau and also at the Society’s Motherhouse in Rome. She has been involved in retreat work and spiritual direction since 1993 having received her certification in spiritual direction from the Spiritual Ministry Center in San Diego. For 8 years she was the Co-Director of Cedars of Peace Retreat Center in Nerinx, Kentucky. She currently resides in St.Charles and also spends part of the year serving at the Society’s Retirement Community, Oakwood, in Atherton, CA.
Kathy McGrath, RSCJ
Sr. Kathy McGrath has been involved in the ministry of spiritual direction and retreats since 1997. She has served at the Society’s retreat house in San Diego and has experience in companioning others in the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius in English and Spanish. She has served on the Board at the Academy of the Sacred Heart, St. Charles and as Formation to Mission Director at 91st Street, New York. She currently lives in the Boston area and is serving on the team of Sophie’s Well: A Center for Sacred Heart Spirituality for the US-Canada Province. She has a background in business and worked for 15 years with men & women who were homeless in New York City, Chicago, Boston and St. Louis.
Catherine Swanstrom
Catherine Christman Swanstrom is a native of Louisiana, and attended the Academy of the Sacred Heart, Grand Coteau. Catherine has deep roots in Sacred Heart spirituality and education. She lived for 3 years in initial formation in the Society of the Sacred Heart. She has taught French and theology, and worked in campus ministry at Bloomfield Hills, Doane Stuart (Albany), 91st Street, St. Charles and Villa Duchesne. Catherine has a BA and a MA in French (Loyola University, New Orleans, St. Louis University) and a Certificate in Spiritual Direction from Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis. She is currently engaged in ongoing spiritual accompaniment and retreat ministry and is taking part in a year-long Magis training program in Ignatian spirituality. Catherine has two adult daughters and lives with her husband in St. Louis.
