Creighton University

Retreat CenterGriswold, Iowa

A quiet, prayerful place in which the Spirit of God can touch the heart and move the soul

Offering the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius

The Creighton University Retreat Center is a full-service center set in 153 wooded acres teeming with wildlife, song birds, miles of hiking trails and an awesome night sky.

In this quiet setting you can find yourself and God while communing with the wonders of nature. It is a place in which you can respond to the Lord’s invitation to “Come away and rest for awhile.”

We welcome Creighton University students, faculty, staff and alumni, as well as all others seeking a place of rest or retreat, including religious, parishes, school groups, organizations and private individuals.

• An assortment of private and double rooms with accommodations for more than 100 people

• Several apartments and a guest house with cooking facilities

• Spacious dining hall serving wonderful home-cooked meals

• Multiple group conference rooms and private direction/meeting rooms

• Beautiful and scenic chapel for private prayer and celebration of liturgies

• Numerous prayer gardens and statues on the grounds

Come away and rest for awhile

The Creighton University Retreat Center fosters an active prayer life, allowing for deeper conversion and relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ. Consistent with our Jesuit tradition and Ignatian heritage, we offer individual and group

• Retreats and spiritual direction based on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius • Five, eight or 30-day directed retreats, or private retreats • Weekend retreats for men, women and couples• Facilities for large or small conferences • Parish confirmation retreats• Catholic A.A. retreats• Family, class reunions • Weekend get-aways• Catered dinners• Special programs throughout the year to enhance your retreat experience

Take a virtual tour of our facilities at creighton.edu/ministry/retreatcenter

and contact us if we may assist with your retreat plans.

Lodging Rates

All room prices are per person, per nightIndividual, small or large groups

Meal Rates

Conference Room Rates

Double $29 $22 $24 $21Single $34 $26 $29 $25Brebeuf or $39 $31 $34 $30Lalemant

Large group rate is a reduced price for 40 or more people.

1 night Large 2 or more Large group nights group

St. Kateri Chapel $150 $125Xavier Conference Room $175 $150Manresa Prayer House $125 $100Isaac Jogues Lodge $250 $200

1 day 2 or more days

Rates are for both large or small groups

Breakfast $8 $7.25 $6.25 Brunch $9.50 $8.75 $7.75 Lunch $9.50 $8.75 $7.75 Dinner $11 $10.50 $9.50

12-19 meals 20-39 meals 40 or more meals

Our dining room seats 77 people comfortably. We strive to serve the best home-cooked meals in Iowa.

Our History

Jogues Lodge

In 1978, Father Lavern Wingert (1927-1999), of the Des Moines Diocese, purchased Camp Wakonda from the Boy Scouts of America, to establish what he envisioned as a “spiritual hospital” for those in need of inner healing.

Although the property came with the original lodge (built in 1948) and a caretaker’s residence, Fr. Wingert built log-sided buildings over a period of 10 years, to house his ever expanding program. To generate income

for the property, he rented it to various groups.

In 1994, Fr. Wingert became interested in Creighton University purchasing the property, knowing that Creighton would continue to operate it as a retreat center. Fr. Wingert sold Creighton 153 acres and the buildings on them and retained 57 acres on the far western quarter of the property, which is now owned by a private party.

Creighton modernized and remodeled much of the property and continues to do so today. The center now sleeps 103 people comfortably in beds and the lodge can accommodate an additional 70 people in sleeping bags.

The dining room and kitchen staff offer delicious, home-cooked meals that entice guests to return time and again. The wooded acres, nature trails and prayer gardens offer guests a quiet environment in which to pray, surrounded by the beauty of God’s creation. Few places so close to Omaha or Des Moines are as beautiful, peaceful and accommodating.

Donations and Volunteering

Retreat center staff are grateful to volunteers who help maintain the library, grounds and other facilities.

Donations to the center support the expansion of Loyola Dining Hall and renovations to Jogues Lodge, pictured to the right.

To donate or for more information on volunteering, please contact the retreat center director at 712.778.2466, or e-mail curc@netins.net.

The Creighton University Retreat Center is located on 153 acres of woodland along the Nishnabotna River in Southwest Iowa,

two miles northwest of Griswold, Iowa, off US Highway 92, approximately 45 miles east of Omaha, Neb.

Download driving directions at creighton.edu/ministry/retreatcenter/directions.

For more information:

Creighton University Retreat Center 16493 Contrail Avenue Griswold, Iowa 51535 Phone: 712.778.2466

Fax: 712.778.2467

E-mail: curc@netins.net

creighton.edu/ministry/retreatcenter

Serving all people of faith since 1978