FAQ's


   
Frequently Asked Questions:

How do I sign up for a retreat?
What do you do on retreat?
 
How much does a retreat cost?
Are Non-Catholics welcome on a retreat?
Is the retreat totally silent?
What about spiritual direction?
What is the schedule for upcoming retreats?
What should I bring on retreat?
What are the rooms like?
I need special assistance.  Can you help?
Opportunities for Giving

If you don't find what you're looking for on these pages, call us at Franciscan Retreats and Spirituality Center (952-447-2182) or Contact Us for further information.



How do I sign up for a retreat?

You can register for a retreat by the following methods: 

     1. Click on Register to complete your registration via our website.

     2. Call Franciscan Retreats and Spirituality Center at 952-447-2182 and provide us with your name, address, phone number, and the date of the retreat you would like to attend. If you call outside of our office hours and no one is available to take your call, press 10 and leave a message with one of our office staff.

     3. Contact Us for further information.

If there are openings on the retreat you would like to attend, we will send you an e-mail and/or a postcard confirming your place on that retreat. We will let you know immediately if the retreat you have requested is full so that you may choose another retreat date.

Please check our
Calendar for the dates and types of future retreats.

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What do you do on retreat?

A Weekend Retreat or a Midweek Retreat consists of a balance of group activities: Prayer Services, Mass, Retreat Conferences [these are 30 minute presentations on a specific topic related to the retreat theme], meals, AND free time for rest, reflection, personal prayer, reading, walking or sharing with other retreatants. The nature of a retreat is to withdraw from the distractions of our everyday routines, and allow us to focus our time on our relationship with God (and with our neighbor). The time that you are here on retreat is YOUR time and we encourage you to honor the body and the Spirit. By that we mean that if you are tired, perhaps your body is telling you that you need rest, and you may need to miss one of the activities on the retreat program. Maybe your personal prayer is leading you to a deeper point of reflection and you need to see that moment to its completion, or maybe the words of a retreat presenter have led you to a moment of prayer or reflection. It may be a good idea to stay with the moment, rather than going to the next activity.

The following web pages will provide you with further details on our retreats: 

Our 2010 Retreat Theme page provides information on our theme for 2010: "Healing, Hope and Holiness".

Retreat Schedules has details on the daily schedules of our Weekend and Midweek Retreats.  

Our Calendar  provides a list of the dates and types of our future retreats.

The Women's Retreat, Men's Retreats, Married Couples, Quiet Weekends, Serenity RetreatsFriends of Francis, People with Disabilities, Family Retreat , Prayer Shawl Retreat and Directed Retreat  pages have explanations of the various types of retreats we offer at Franciscan Retreats and Spirituality Center.  

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How much does a retreat cost?

Our guests are asked to give an average donation of $140.00 - $160.00 for our midweek and weekend retreats. The retreat actually costs far more than that. We ask so little because so many generously support Franciscan Retreats and Spirituality Center throughout the year. Please join us and give as you are able. Franciscan Retreats and Spirituality Center is not subsidized by any diocese or religious community. We rely on the donations of friends and benefactors

We accept donations via MasterCard, Visa or Discover credit cards as well as cash and check donations.

Franciscan Retreats and Spirituality Center gives 5% of the donations we receive for our retreats to Assisi House in Lusaka, Zambia 

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Are Non-Catholics welcome on a retreat?

While our retreats are formed and informed by the Roman Catholic tradition, we welcome all people who are seeking a deeper relationship with the Lord. Whether you are churched or un-churched, you are welcome to join us on retreat.

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Is the retreat totally silent? 

Franciscan Retreats and Spirituality Center provides retreatants with a safe and sacred environment in which to deepen their relationship with God. We offer a balance of opportunities for silence as well as sharing with others during our retreats. Some people find it helpful to share and discuss their spiritual journeys with others. Others find that they are led to quiet contemplation and solitary prayer. While we ask for respectful quiet among our retreatants, especially in the bedrooms, halls, and the chapel, we do not require complete silence throughout our retreats. 

See Retreat Schedules for the details of a typical day during our Weekend and Midweek retreats.

Twice each year we offer Quiet Weekends to those who prefer silence during their retreat.

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What about spiritual direction? 

The friars and women on Our Staff are available for private spiritual direction during our retreats. Spiritual direction is an opportunity to share your spiritual journey with a discerning guide and compassionate listener. If you wish to talk to someone about how your retreat is affecting your relationship with God and others, spiritual direction provides a sacred time and space to do so.  

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What is the schedule for upcoming retreats?

Please consult the Calendar  page for our 2010 retreat schedule.

Click on the following web pages for explanations of the various types of retreats we offer at Franciscan Retreats and Spirituality Center. Women's Retreat, Men's Retreats, Married Couples, Quiet Weekends, Serenity Retreats, Friends of Francis, People with Disabilities, Family Retreat and Prayer Shawl Retreat.

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What should I bring on retreat?

  • Franciscan Retreats and Spirituality Center provides you with a comfortable room and delicious, well-balanced meals.  
  • We recommend that you bring casual clothes appropriate to the season.
  • You may want to bring a book, journal or other spiritual material for reflection.
  • We have a library and an expanded bookstore with many items you may find of interest.
  • Beverages and snack item are available for purchase in the Hospitality Room and the Marian Lounge.
  • Our Hospitality Room also has items such as alarm clocks, toothpaste and other sundry items you may use during your retreat in case you forget to bring them.
  • Please notify us if you have special medical dietary needs.Contact Us

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What are the rooms like?

We have 58 comfortable semi-private rooms arranged in 29 suites.
Each room has a full or queen sized bed, linen, a sink, towels, and a small closet.
Many of the rooms have writing desks for your convenience.
Each suite has a shower and a toilet.
The two rooms of each suite are separated by a folding wall. Married couples and family members usually open the wall to share the large space together. Individuals leave the wall in place.


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I need special assistance. Can you help?

We do everything we can to assist people with special needs.
We have an electric wheel-chair for our guests and several of the rooms have adjustable (hospital) beds. 
Please notify us if you have special need
s.  Contact Us

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Opportunities for Giving

Click on the Make a Gift button on the right hand side of our web pages to make a secure donation via our website.

You may wish to join the Apostle's League, which supports Franciscan Retreats and Spirituality Center throughout the year by making a donation of $1.00 or more per week.

We have recently established an Endowment fund for the perpetual support of Franciscan Retreats and Spirituality Center. 

Please remember Franciscan Retreats and Spirituality Center in your will.

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Father Howard's Homilies
3rd Week of Lent 2010



Franciscan Retreats - 16385 Saint Francis Lane - Prior Lake, MN 55372 - 952-447-2182 - email:  secretary@franciscanretreats.net

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