Silent Retreat for Men
God is constantly offering us familiar and easy friendship and an abundance of personal love that knows no bounds. He wants nothing less than your entire heart—and offers you His. Is Jesus the center of your life?
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
Mr. Edwin Waite, in 2006, engaged in the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius in preparation for his retirement after 25 years in labor relations and human resource management at San Francisco State University. Edwin holds a BS in Business Administration/Human Resource Management and a certificate in Spiritual Direction, Mercy Center; studied at the Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley; and is currently training in the Pierre Favre Program at JRC, Los Altos.
A life-long Episcopalian, Edwin finds a strong bond with Ignatian spirituality in that, through prayer and out of gratitude for the love we experience in our relationship with Jesus, we are drawn to a life of service and become a people of hope.
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.
Sr. Esther Ling, f.d.c.c. (Daughters of Charity of Canossa), holds a Master's Degree in Theology from St. Paul's University, Ottawa, Canada, and a Divinity Degree from the University of London, U.K. She has had experience as a high school Principal and as a Lecturer in Spirituality and Biblical Studies. Currently she ministers in San Francisco in faith formation, religious education, and retreat ministry.
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.
