Themed Retreats

Themed retreats allow us to withdraw from the busyness of life and to reflect and pray. A themed retreat is grounded in a prayerful, listening atmosphere. It features an inspiring presenter and subject of interest.

---

July 27-August 3 Summer Sabbath -- $880---Andrea Minelli and Megan Shepherd              

Register Here

What is Summer Sabbath at Mercy by the Sea?

Sabbath means to rest! Sometimes the best gift you can give yourself is permission to rest.

Summer Sabbath at Mercy by the Sea offers a space where you can intentionally put aside your day-to-day
work and concerns, take time to rest, renew, reenergize, and reconnect with your God, while enjoying the healing beauty of these sacred grounds and the gentle sea breezes of Long Island Sound. While sabbath time
can be as unplanned and open as you seek, there will be opportunities to gather with others for reflection and prayer throughout the week.

 

Participants are invited to gather once daily for communal prayer and reflection.  The rest of your day is open
to spend as you need and choose, walking the beautiful grounds or our Labyrinth, sitting on the beach with a good book, enjoying the magnificent sunrises and sunsets, and connecting with creation. Eucharistic Liturgy is available close by at several local parishes and Spiritual Direction is available as requested. The price includes overnight accommodation, private bathroom, and meals. 

 

Andrea Minelli is a graduate of the Women’s Leadership Institute and has an MA in Spirituality from Hartford Seminary. She is a certified Spiritual Director and Retreat Leader trained through Mercy by the Sea. She is a Mercy Associate. She received a certificate in Bio-Spiritual Focusing through the Spiritual Life Center, West Hartford CT and is trained as a Pastoral Care Associate through St Francis Hospital, Hartford, CT. 

 

Megan Shepherd is the Director of Spirituality and Retreats at Mercy by the Sea. She is a certified Spiritual Director, has an M.Div from the University of Notre Dame, and has served in ministry for over twenty five years creating and implementing programs that foster spiritual exploration, deepen contemplative dispositions, and cultivate the ability to recognize God’s grace at work.

 

 August 15-21  Zen Interfaith Retreat--Single $750 Double $600 Commuter $150/day   
(Commuters must call 203-245-0401 to register)

Register Here

This is a week-long silent retreat (Zen sesshin) during which participants practice seated meditation (zazen) together—about twelve 25-minute periods per day—as a supportive community, or sangha. Roshi Kennedy and other Zen teachers will provide daily talks (teishos) to share Zen insights and to encourage sitting practice, as well as opportunities to meet privately with them (daisan) throughout the days. 

Silence is observed throughout the day, at all times in order to deepen the experience. Following the final sitting each evening, liturgy will be offered for all who wish to participate. This is a warm, wholehearted practice of being with ourselves as we are, with things as they occur. The support of devoted teachers and one another encourages the quieting of our minds, the lessening of struggle, and the movement from self-centeredness to life-centeredness. Through this process we taste the richness of human life and become of true benefit to others and the world.

            For those staying onsite, check-in is at 4 p.m. on Friday, August 15 with dinner served at 5:30 p.m.
Check out and departure on Thursday, August 21st is at 10 a.m.

Roshi Robert E. Kennedy, SJ is a Jesuit priest and Zen teacher in the White Plum lineage. He studied with Yamada Roshi in Kamakura, Japan, Maezumi Roshi in Los Angeles, and Glassman Roshi in New York. Glassman Roshi installed Father Robert as Sensei in 1991 and conferred Inka (his final seal of approval) in 1997, making him a Roshi (master). Kennedy Roshi is the author of “Zen Gifts to Christians” and “Zen Spirit, Christian Spirit.”

 

Cancellation and Refund Policy

• Full payment is required at registration for all programs.
• A cancellation made up to 14 days before the program will result in a 50% refund of the payment that has been received.
• A cancellation made less than 14 days before the start of the program will not be refunded.
• A full refund would be given in the unlikely event that MBTS would need to cancel the program. Any payments made cannot be held by MBTS as “credit on account” toward a future date.