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Here are answers to Frequently Asked Questions we receive by people interested in coming for a retreat. If you do not find the answer to your question here feel free to contact us in person. We would love to hear from you.

Table of Contents

  1. What kinds of retreats do you offer? How are the retreats different?
  2. Is this a silent retreat?
  3. Do I have to be a Catholic to attend retreats?
  4. Do I have to be married to attend a couples' retreat?
  5. How do I register?
  6. How much does a retreat cost?
  7. What time should I arrive ?
  8. Is the retreat house handicapped accessible?
  9. Will I share a room?
  10. Is there a phone in my room?
  11. Do you have a cell phone policy?
  12. Do I need to bring my own towels and/ or sheets?
  13. Do I need to bring my own bible?
  14. Is the retreat house air-conditioned?
  15. May I smoke at the retreat house?
  16. Do you offer any recreation?
  17. What do I wear?
  18. What if I forget to bring something?
  19. What if I have special dietary needs?
  20. Who do I make my check payable to?
  21. What if all of my questions were not answered here?

 

What kinds of retreats do you offer? How are the retreats different?

We offer four kinds of retreats:

  • Weekend retreats offer conferences each day based on the dynamics of Ignatian spirituality.  The weekend includes daily Mass, periods for private reflection and devotions, spiritual direction, and reconciliation and healing services. Silence is maintained between individuals so that each retreatant has time and space to connect deeply with God.
  • Couples' weekend retreats have fewer conferences each day than the regular weekend retreats and time between conferences is to be used by each couple to discuss and pray together about what was brought up in conferences. Silence is still maintained between different couples. In addition to Mass, reflection time, spiritual direction, and healing services, there are also "date" activities built in to encourage couples to connect with each other.
  • 12-Step recovery weekend retreats are grounded in the 12-Steps.  The weekend includes the various activities listed in the weekend retreat section and includes an opportunity for a 12-Step meeting. 
  • Summer directed retreats offer the retreatant a personal director or directress with whom the retreatant meets daily for spiritual direction. There are priests, nuns, and laypersons who function as spiritual directors.
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Is this a silent retreat?

All of our retreats are silent. 

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Do I have to be a Catholic to attend retreats?

No. All denominations are welcome here.

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Do I have to be married to attend a couples' retreat?

No. On the couples' retreat weekend we welcome couples who are married, engaged, or seriously considering engagement/marriage. Marriage is a lifelong commitment and it is entirely appropriate to want to make a retreat with your husband- or wife-to-be in order to learn more about the role of God and spirituality in marriage. Many couples who attend this weekend continue to make the retreat throughout the years to help them to reconnect at different stages of their marriage.

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How do I register?

Use the form found on the web page or in any of our schedules.  To use the website to register go here. Send the form in with your non-refundable, non-transferable $40 reservation gift to:

Jesuit Retreat House, 4800 Fahrnwald Road, Oshkosh, WI 54902.  

We accept reservations with room deposits on a first-come, first-served basis. You will receive a confirmation card in the mail.

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How much does a retreat cost?

Visit the section on pricing for suggested donations.

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What time should I arrive?

Weekend, 12-step, and couples retreats begin with dinner on Thursday evening at 7:15 p.m. and close on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. after lunch. The first evening of a directed retreat begins with a 5:00 p.m. social, with dinner at 6:00 p.m. Mid-week retreats begin at 11:30 on Monday and end Wednesday after dinner at 6:00 p.m. Holy week retreats begin on Wednesday at 7:15 p.m. and end Saturday after lunch at 1:00 p.m. 

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Is the retreat house handicapped accessible?

Yes.  We also have a limited number of rooms available for the physically challenged equipped with a private bath.

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Will I share a room?

Each retreatant has a private room.  There are sinks and mirrors in all rooms.  Bathrooms and showers are nearby.

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Is there a phone in my room?

No.  If you need to make a phone call, there is a phone available.  You may give the retreat house number for emergencies.  We will get any messages to you.

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Do you have a cell phone policy?

Yes. In the interest of allowing all retreatants to immerse themselves fully in retreats, we discourage the use of cell phones in the retreat house. When a phone rings, it distracts others who are trying to pray. If you will be bringing your cell phone into the house, please be sure that your ringer is turned off. Cell phone calls should not be made from anywhere in the retreat house, including the private bed rooms and the grounds surrounding the house, as talking disrupts the silence that is a valued part of the retreat experience. If you must make a cell phone call, please do so from inside your car in the parking lot. This way you will not interrupt the experience for others.

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Do I need to bring my own towels and/ or sheets?

One set of towels is provided. Bed linens are provided. Each bed has an electric blanket and an extra blanket and pillow are in the dresser in each room.

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Do I need to bring my own bible?

No, there is a bible in each room.

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Is the retreat house air-conditioned?

There is a fan in each room and most of the house is air-conditioned.  The chapel, lounge, and dining room are air-conditioned also.

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May I smoke at the retreat house?

Jesuit Retreat House is a smoke-free facility  However, you may smoke outside at designated areas.

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Do you offer any recreation?

We have bikes available (seasonally), and an exercise room available at all times.  It is safe to walk or jog outside on the grounds and surrounding area.  In the winter retreatants may bring cross country skis or sleds to enjoy the grounds.  We have the Fr. Roets, S.J. Memorial Walkway on the grounds, it meanders along the lakeshore.  There are benches, swings, and a bridge along the way.  Lawn chairs are available seasonally.

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What do I wear?

Dress is casual, but should be appropriate.  Shoes or sandals should be worn in the house.  We have four seasons and it is recommended to dress for the time of year you will be here.

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What if I forget to bring something?

We have notebooks, medicines, and toiletries available.

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What if I have special dietary needs?

It is encouraged that you bring your own foods for special needs.  We offer a menu that accommodates most everyone.  All meals are buffet style.  Snacks, fruit, coffee, tea, hot chocolate and spring water are available at all times. We also have a refrigerator for retreatant use. Should you have questions, please write about them in the "additional notes" section of the registration sheet.

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Who do I make my check payable to?

You may make out your non-refundable, non-transferable registration gift check to: Jesuit Retreat House

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What if all of my questions were not answered here?

Feel free to contact the Jesuit Retreat House office with any remaining questions you may have. The contact information is here.

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4800 Fahrnwald Rd.
Oshkosh, WI 54902
office@jesuitretreathouse.org
Copyright © 2002 Jesuit Retreat House