Non-silent Recovery Retreat for Women
Serenity calms our fear-based alcoholic chaos so we can
admit our truth and see our situation clearly. We will seek
the courage that moves us into the action of the steps, support
of the fellowship, and care of our Higher Power.
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!"
Ms. Mary Peterson, a wife, mother, grandmother, artist, spiritual director and perpetual seeker, was trained at Spiritual Directors Institute, Mercy Center, Burlingame. She believes that all is a gift, and although sometimes painful, when unwrapped contains a piece of our becoming more real and authentic.
Assisting
Fr. Bernard Bush, S.J. is a spiritual director and psychotherapist by training— background that he believes enables him to see people's lives in a rich and diverse way. He says he enjoys the challenging adventure of helping others find God in their lives— something he recognizes is different for every person. He defines a spiritual director as one who is a servant to others as they grow in their relationship with God.
Born in Humboldt County, California, Fr. Bernie entered the Society of Jesus following graduation from Bellarmine College Preparatory, San Jose, CA. He was ordained in 1965, and then trained as a spiritual director and psychotherapist, earning a Ph.D. in human science (psychology and theology) from the Saybrook Graduate School, San Francisco.
Early in his career, Fr. Bernie taught at St. Ignatius High School, San Francisco, and assisted the chaplain at Alcatraz, San Francisco. For 13 years, he directed the House of Affirmation, a clinical treatment center for emotionally troubled clergy and religious. Fr. Bush is the author of the Book called Living in His Love: Essays on Prayer and Christian Living, and the Editor of Coping: Issues of Emotional Living in an Age of Stress for Clergy and Religious. He joined the Jesuit Retreat Center staff in 1993 after working in the Diocese of Norwich (Conn.), developing continuing education programs in social justice and the prevention of child abuse for the clergy.
Fr. Bernie continues to advocate for children. He also looks back fondly on his piloting days when he was truly "out of reach, looking down on the world a sort of God's eye view."
Assisting
Sr. Patricia Galli, R.S.M., has Masters degrees in Counseling and Organizational
Development and in Theological Studies. She has been a spiritual director
for 20 years and a supervisor of spiritual directors. As her parish's
Director of Faith Formation she directs a 30-week program of the Spiritual
Exercises at Most Holy Trinity Parish in East San José. For the past
13 years she has been a retreat director of JRC's 36-Day program.
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. Jack Mitchell, S.J. , currently the Minister of the Jesuit Community in Berkeley, entered the Society of Jesus in 1962 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1972. He has served as a teacher and administrator in Jesuit secondary schools in San Jose, New York, Phoenix, Nigeria and Los Angeles. He has a B.E.E. degree from Santa Clara University and an S.T.M. degree from the Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley. In recent years he has found increasing opportunities to provide spiritual direction to people seeking to deepen their relationship with God.
