Non-silent Retreat for Men
Our callings include many tasks, and God has left us practical tools. We will examine the spiritual tool kit laid before us by the Church, which provides skills to deal with the challenge of living as Christ's disciples.
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. Randi Schmidt studied psychology in Oslo, Norway, and worked on research projects there and in the USA and Switzerland. With a spiritual awakening, she turned to training and work in pastoral counseling and chaplaincy. Randi holds a certificate in spiritual direction from Mercy Center and an MA in spirituality from Santa Clara University. At present, she is training in the Pierre Favre program at El Retiro.
Assisting
Mr. 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 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. James Flynn, S.J. was born in 1942 in Los Angeles, CA and 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. Jim
Fr. Duc Vu, S.J., a software engineer before joining the Jesuits, was ordained in 2002 and served in a parish until 2007. An M.F.A. in Creative Writing reflects his interest in life as story. He likes to explore the creative dynamic among stories human and divine, as well as the fascinating dialectic between our corporeality and spirituality.
