News & Blog
Here, we share stories from our community, insights from our programs, and thoughtful guidance to support your journey of faith, healing, and personal growth. Whether you’re preparing for your first retreat or simply seeking a moment of peace in your day, you’ll find encouragement and connection here.
The Church Retreat Planning Guide: From Concept to Closing Prayer
A church retreat done well can do more to strengthen a community than a year's worth of Sunday homilies. Done poorly, it becomes the event everyone has to debrief for weeks afterward. This guide is for parish coordinators, youth ministers, small group leaders, and...
Spiritual Burnout Is Real — Here’s How to Recognize It (and What Actually Helps)
Burnout gets a lot of attention in the context of work. Less discussed — but equally real — is what happens when someone burns out spiritually. It doesn't look like a dramatic crisis of faith. It tends to be quieter than that: a gradual numbing, a growing sense of...
You Don’t Have to Leave for a Week: The Power of a Personal Day Retreat
Most people assume a "real" retreat means getting on a plane, taking a week off work, and spending more money than they have. That assumption keeps a lot of people from doing something that could genuinely change them. A personal day retreat is something entirely...
Walking the Labyrinth: An Ancient Practice with Real Modern Benefits
You've probably heard of mazes. But a labyrinth is something entirely different — and its benefits for mental clarity, stress reduction, and spiritual insight are surprisingly well-documented. At Mary & Joseph Retreat Center, our Labyrinth Bonaventure is one of...
How to Plan a Group Retreat That People Will Actually Talk About for Years
A well-planned group retreat can strengthen bonds, clarify vision, and energize a community in ways that no conference call or offsite agenda ever could. A poorly planned one becomes the thing everyone politely avoids mentioning. The difference almost always comes...
What Is Spiritual Direction — and Could It Help You?
If you've never heard the term "spiritual direction," you're not alone. It's one of the oldest and most powerful practices in the Christian tradition — and also one of the least talked about. But for people navigating questions of faith, purpose, loss, or simply a...
A Silent Retreat Might Be Exactly What You Need Right Now
We live in a world that never stops talking. Notifications, deadlines, news cycles, social obligations — the noise is relentless. And in the middle of all of it, many people quietly wonder: Is this all there is? If you've felt that restlessness, a silent retreat may...
In Memory: Sister Renee Bauerly, DMJ
Renee was born in Le Mars, Iowa, on February 27, 1942. The younger of two daughters born to Arthur George Bauerly and Eva Kathryn Sullivan. Renee died on April 19, 2026. She is predeceased by her parents, and sister Karen, and nephew Michael. Survived by...
Tips for Maximizing Your Retreat Benefits
There is something deeply restorative about stepping away from the noise of everyday life. Whether you are attending a guided retreat, spending a quiet day in prayer, or simply giving yourself permission to pause, a retreat offers more than time away. It creates space...
Transformative Retreat Experiences for the Soul
There are seasons in life when the noise gets too loud. The calendar is full. The responsibilities keep coming. Your mind is constantly moving from one thing to the next. Even when life is good, it can become difficult to hear the quiet voice within us that longs for...
Understanding the Power of a Peaceful Setting
There is something deeply restorative about stepping into a place that feels calm. Before a word is spoken or a program begins, the setting itself can begin to quiet the mind. A peaceful environment invites us to slow down, breathe more deeply, and become more aware...
The Role of Group Activities in Personal Growth
Personal growth is often thought of as something quiet and individual. We imagine journaling alone, praying in silence, walking peacefully, or sitting with our thoughts. And while those moments are deeply valuable, growth also happens in another meaningful way:...












