Retreats

Each year, the John Carroll Society holds several retreats to allow members and guests an opportunity to gather and reflect on their faith, focus on Catholic teaching, and seek spiritual renewal. Each retreat is guided by a retreat director and features the presentation of multiple lectures, opportunities for individual reflection, celebration of Mass, a group meal, and the celebration of Reconciliation.

Typically, the Fall Retreat is held in November at Mount St. Mary's Seminary in Emmitsburg, MD.

Another retreat, often referred to as the Day of Recollection, is held during Lent at Our Lady of Bethesda Retreat Center.

Fall Retreat

In recent years, the Fall Retreat has been led by the following retreat directors and focused on the following themes:

2025: Rev. Michael M. Romano, Living in Hope as Friends of Jesus Christ
2024: Rev. Patrick S. Lewis, Remain in Christ: The Key to Authentic Renewal
2023: Msgr. Andrew Baker, The Joy and Hope of the Gospel in Professional Life
2022: Msgr. William King, Prophets Unite! Lament: The Misunderstood Biblical Theme
2021: Rev. Patrick S. Lewis, Rejoice! God is With Us!
2020: Rev. Anthony Lickteig, Advent - A Season of Hope
2019: Rev. Dennis McManus, The Conversations of Jesus
2018: Msgr. Michael Heintz, Living as Sons and Daughters of the Light
2017: Msgr. Anthony Frontiero, The Many Faces of Being Called: The Joy and the Challenge of Being a Disciple of Jesus
2016: Msgr. Andrew Baker, Trusting Like a Child of God
2015: Msgr. Stephen Rossetti, Finding Joy in a Secular Age
2014: Msgr. Charles V. Antonicelli, The Spirituality of Encounter: Reflections on Encounters with Jesus
2013: Msgr. Robert Panke, The Path to Holiness: Becoming Beloved Sons and Daughters of the Father

Day of Recollection

In recent years, the Day of Recollection has been led by the following retreat directors and focused on the following themes:

2026: Very Rev. Mark L. Smith, Come to Me, and I Will Give You Rest
2025: Rev. Tom Robertson, Lenten Hope & The Jubilee Year 2025
2024: Rev. Joseph Cwik, "Here I Am Lord." Being Present to God and to our Neighbor
2023: Rev. Stephen Wyble, Christ the Physician of Souls
2022: Rev. Daniel Pajerski, Saved by the Heart of Christ
2021: Rev. Chris Seith, The Experience of Hell and How the Lord Frees Us
2020: Rev. Robert Boxie, Your Lenten Meal Plan: More Deserts and Less Desserts
2019: Rev. Mark Ivany, Friendship with Christ: How We Come to Understand Ourselves and Our Purpose in Life
2018: Rev. Gap LoBiondo, S.J., Discovering How God's Love Is At Work In Our Lives: Faith, Prayer, and Service
2017: Rev. Stephen W. Planning, S.J., Jesus - The Full Revelation of God's Mercy
2016: Rev. Paul McPartlan, The Eucharist Makes the Church
2015: Rev. Stephen D. Ryan, O.P., Learning Christ, Serving Christ: Reading Saint Mark’s Gospel in Lent
2014: Rev. James J. Greenfield, OSFS, Lent: Falling Up, Falling Down, and Falling In
2013: Rev. Joseph Lingan, S.J., Lent: Season, Symbol, Sign and Summons for the Faith-Filled