Silent Retreat for Women
St. Ignatius proposes ways to become free of worldly values and to find happiness in the will of God. This retreat—through prayer and God's grace—will help us to locate and to become free of the ties that bind each of us.
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. More about Fr. Bernie
Susan Mahan, Ph.D. is Director of Faith Formation at Holy Eucharist Parish in Watsonville and serves as a Master Catechist for the Diocese of Monterey, teaching Deacons, parish educators and lay people. She is also on the faculty of the University of San Francisco. An experienced teacher, leader of retreats and spiritual director, she is married and is the mother of three grown children.
Assisting
Ms. Gloria Fahy was born in San Francisco and from the age of nine she lived in the Los Angeles area. She recently returned to Northern California. She has been a physical therapist for 20 years and has worked in a variety of settings. She holds a Master's degree in health care administration. Currently, she works in home care in Sonoma County. After a spiritual awakening Ms. Fahy became passionate about Ignatian Spirituality and is a member of the Pierre Favre Program at El Retiro. Gloria is active in her parish, St. Elizabeth Seton in Rohnert Park, and has assisted in giving retreats there.
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. Tom Splain, S.J., is a California Jesuit and presently the chaplain at Notre Dame de Namur University in Belmont. He has graduate degrees in liturgy and anthropology, was the director of a retreat house in Paraguay, and has taught in Fiji and Rome. A present project is developing a website for the field of ritual studies.
