Non-silent Recovery Retreat for Women
We gather at the turning point into a new year, reflecting on how we use the turning points of our lives. We will call to mind the tools the Twelve Steps give us to assist as we approach the daily twists and turns that sobriety brings.
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.
Sr. Stephanie Still, P.B.V.M., is a trained Spiritual Director with a ten-year private practice in San Francisco. She was formally trained in the Spiritual Direction three-year training program at Mercy Retreat Center in Burlingame. A Sister of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (San Francisco) for nearly thirty years, Sister Stephanie has also had ministry experience as a high school principal and teacher, in leadership roles, and as a Communications officer for her Congregation. She is currently the Vocation Director for the Sisters of the Presentation. Sister Stephanie is a California native and has lived in the San Francisco Bay Area for most of her life. As a Presentation Sister, she is committed to those made poor and to the sustainability of all creation. She deeply believes in the importance of contemplation and of developing an awareness of the sacredness of life in order to be a balanced and intentional presence in the world.
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!"
Fr. Joseph Fice, S.J., spent 25 years as a religious educator in Jesuit high schools in California and Arizona. He taught at Jesuit High School in Sacramento, Loyola High School in Los Angeles, and Brophy Preparatory School in Phoenix. His academic interests evolved from mathematics to a deep interest in scripture and ethics. After earning a B.S. in Mathematics from Loyola University of Los Angeles, he received an M.A. in Philosophy from Gonzaga University and an S.T.M. in Theology from the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley. A lecturer in Philosophy at Loyola University of Los Angeles from 1967 to 1969, his subsequent high school teaching focused on Scripture and Catholic Christianity.
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.
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.
