Silent Retreat for Men
St. John writes: "If all the things Jesus did were written down,
all the books in the world could not contain them." We will
reflect on what we do know, desiring to become better
acquainted with Jesus, His companions and His times.
Fr. James Flynn, S.J. Born in 1942 in Los Angeles, CA, Fr. Jim attended St. Charles Grammar School in North Hollywood. After graduating from Bishop Garcia Diego High School in Santa Barbara in 1960, he matriculated at Santa Clara University. On September 8, 1961, he entered the Society of Jesus at Los Gatos.
After the normal course of training at Los Gatos, Fr. Jim majored in philosophy and English at Gonzaga University, graduating in 1967. He taught at Loyola High School, Los Angeles from 1967-1970, and after theological studies at the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley, he graduated with an M.Div. in 1973. He was ordained a priest on June 15, 1973. That same year he completed a Master's Degree in English at Loyola University, Los Angeles. — more about Fr. Flynn
Ms. Leelamma Sebastian, JRC Program Director, has an international background. She holds an Economics degree from the University of Calicut (Kerala, India) and an M.S. in Counseling Psychology from Chaminade University of Honolulu. Working in administrative and direct service positions for Catholic Charities Hawaii and the Diocese of Honolulu, Leelamma taught in Hawaii's Catechetical and Pastoral Institute and in the Deacon Formation Program. She has a lifelong relationship with the Missionaries of Charity. She is currently a participant of the Pierre Favre Program. She has two daughters, Sindhu and Anjali.
Assisting
Fr. Kevin Ballard, S.J., was born in San Francisco and raised in a traveling military family, joined the Society of Jesus in 1972 and was ordained in 1985. His ministry, mainly in parishes, has also included community organizing, high school teaching, and retreat work. Three years in Kathmandu, Nepal were a highlight and delight. His ongoing interest in Ignatian Spirituality has entailed directing the Spiritual Exercises in their various forms. Since 1981, the blessings of the 12 Steps have been key to life and work. Judaism has been an ongoing inspiration. He is blessed to live sober, one day at a time, since 1981. Kevin is recreated by languages, bird-watching and "staring into space!"
Michael Cheney is both a spiritual director and theology teacher. He
currently teaches at Jesuit High School in Sacramento where he also serves
as the Director of Faculty Development. From 1984-2002, he taught theology
at Loyola High School in Los Angeles. He also taught theology and philosophy
as an adjunct instructor at Mt. St. Mary’s College and Marymount
College in southern California. He and his wife, who have been married
for 25 years, have three children. With Fr. John Powell, S.J., he co-authored
two books, A Life-Giving Vision: How to Be a Christian in Today’s
World (Thomas More Press) and The Christian Vision
of Reality (Resources
for Christian Living).
Fr. Gerald F. Hudson, S.J. was, for many years, a mathematics teacher (at
Loyola High School, Loyola Marymount University, and St. Ignatius College
Preparatory). He has served several times as a director in the JRC 36-day
program. He joined the staff of the JRC in August of 2006 and has been
involved in retreats and spiritual direction.
Fr. Peter Togni, S.J., born in King City, CA, and raised on a dairy farm in Greenfield, graduated from Yale before entering the California Province of the Jesuits in 1975. He has taught in the theology department at USF and served there as an Associate Dean for students' issues. A volunteer at San Quentin for six years, Fr. Peter helped to set up and coordinate for the prisoners the offerings of the School of Pastoral Leadership for the Archdiocese of San Francisco, also teaching in that program.
Fr. Peter has a deep devotion to the working of the Holy Spirit and wrote his dissertation on a novitiate in the early Society of Jesus.
