St. FranciS retreat

549 MISSION VINEYARD ROAD • P.O. BOX 970 • SAN juAN BAutIStA, cAlIfORNIA 95045 • (831) 623-4234 • SEPtEMBER 2017

On June 1, 2017, I received official word from my Franciscan provincial (aka boss), that I was assigned to St. Francis Retreat as the Director. Wow! What a gift! I am back home!

The first time I set foot upon the holy ground of St. Francis was in the old ranch house about 1953. I was maybe three years old. My mother was “taking instructions” to become a Catholic from the wonderful, Fr. Charles Kniebel OFM, at time the director of the “can-didates,” young men who were considering becoming Franciscan friars. My mother tells the story of the friar’s superior, Fr. Gregory Wooler OFM, with his sonorous voice and intimidating stature greeting little Kenny, the timid toddler, with a hearty welcome. Little Kenny found himself running behind his mommy, clinging to her legs seeking protection from this big man with a loud voice in a brown robe! What a first impression!

For the next twenty-five or more years, the friars have been part of my life either through pumping gas into their cars at my Dad’s gas station in San Juan, washing pots in the old kitchen, learning to cook from Bro. Angelo OFM, or listening to Fr. Gilbert OFM, and Fr. Gratian OFM wax eloquently around the table at meals, accompanied with great laughter, joy, welcome, concern and kindness for others. This left a lasting impression on me.

Despite this great influence, I entered the diocesan seminary and was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Monterey in 1979 serving in many capacities for 18 years. At about the age of forty, I started to think, as many people seem to do, what I am going to do with the rest of my life and how do I want to live it. So, the wheels started turning and I began reflecting on this Franciscan influence in my life beginning with the large, loud man in the brown robe. Twenty years ago, I disembarked the boat of the Diocese of Monterey and jumped into the boat of the Franciscans. And now, twenty years later, the boat has brought me back to where it first took sail.

It is so good to return to the ancestral land of six generations of my family. Home again! Lots has changed at St. Francis during my deep connection of over six decades. And more will change. That wonderful old ranch house destroyed by fire ten years ago, has been re-placed by a very functional and attractive facility. After the disastrous fire and rebuilding we were left with a three-million-dollar debt. With gratitude to the Diocese of Monterey, we were given a line of credit to complete our new building. With the generosity of many of you, the debt was reduced to eight hundred thousand dollars and within the last year the debt was assumed by the Provincial office, which spreads the payments to the entire province and not just St. Francis Retreat.

What I have found since my arrival at St. Francis, the end of June 2017, is that there con-tinues to be an active interest in retreats that St. Francis sponsors, there is a great need for St. Francis as a venue for many outside groups, both religious and secular, many non-prophet organizations, recovery retreats for those struggling with their own addictions, and the addictions of friends and family members, and we have become a place of soli-tude for those desiring their own private retreats. Continued on page 2

A ministry of the Franciscan Friars of the Province of Santa Barbara.

retreatDateS

AnnualGratitude

Retreats Oct. 6-8, 13-15,

20-22

Women’sSpirituality

Retreat withRosa Apodaca

DEC. 8-10

Days OfrecollectionSept 1, Oct 6,

Nov. 3 Special

advent SeriesDec. 6, 13, 20

Home Again!

St. Francis Retreat

MotherNatuRe &

Good FoodWant more,

come andvisit us !

sfr - Welcomes Home Fr. ken

St. Francis is challenged with financial sustainabil-ity which means that is a need to increase revenue and cut costs. We are challenged with the main-tenance of our beautiful grounds and facilities and much needed renovation to our guest rooms. These challenges will be met with enthusiasm and with your help.

There is one welcoming face that has left St. Francis.Angel Uribe, an almost permanent fixture of St. Francis for thirty eight years has retired.

We continue to boast of our gourmet meals with our incredible kitchen staff. St. Francis lives through the faithful administrative and maintenance staff who graciously provide an environment of wel-come and hospitality. The friars assigned to St. Francis continue to provide a vital presence and continue the life and spirit of St. Francis of Assisi that touched my spirit and life more than sixty years ago.

This year St. Francis Retreat celebrates its 70th anniversary of the Franciscan presence in the hills of San Juan Bautista. More will be coming in the next several weeks how we will be cele-brating the life and ministry of the last 70 years.I hope to see you soon. May the Lord Give You Peace!

Ken Laverone OFMExecutive Director

Please consider a “Legacy Gift” to St. Francis Retreat in your estate-planning.

St. Francis Retreat is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 religious organization, listed in the Official Catholic Directory. Your generous gift can help to assure the ongoing service of St. Francis Retreat to the spiritual needs of retreatants in the future. For more information about making a Legacy Gift, call Ed Degroot 831-623-4234.

St. Francis Retreat / Legacy GiftsP.O. Box 970 / San Juan Bautista, CA 95045

I look forward to meeting the many spiritual and ad-ministrative challenges to the place many of us call home. We will be increas-ing the number of our own sponsored retreats both in English and in Spanish. It ismy hope to provide somefaith formation evenings forthe local Church. We will continue the First Fri-day days of recollection as well as the weekly Wednesday days of recollection during Lent and Advent. Because I am a canon lawyer, and judge, I am available to assist persons in seeking rem-edies to failed marriages through the annulment process.

SAVE THIS DATE !70th Annual Men’s Retreat

Francis of assisi: the Lord Gave Me Such Faith!January 19-21, 2018

Fr. Bobby Barbato oFM Cap Retreat directorA world full of violence, political polarization, and disagree-ments within the church: this was the world into which Francis of Assisi was born and raised. How, then, did he become a man of prayer, peace and heroic charity? It was not easy, even for a genius like Francis. Our retreat will focus on how God’s grace in Francis’ life helped him live within his own turbulent times as an “instrument of peace,” and how Francis’ example and wis-dom can help us live the Gospel in our own day.$240 per person for a shared room, occupancy $290 for private

Fr. Ken Laverone

- VOLUNTEER -Louise Brouns

receives theFranciscan Service

Award from ProvincialMinister David Gaa OFM.

Thank YouAngel Uribefor your 38 Yearsof dedication to

St. Francis Retreat,enjoy your retirement.

UPCOMING RETREATS sEPT. 2017 - DEC. 2017Beginning in October, we invite you to join us at 11 am for mass in the Friary any Tuesday.

Join Fr. Ken Laverone OFM and Fr. Paul Botenhagen OFM and other guests to celebrate our First Friday Days of Recollection. Come for the full day, or stop by for Mass at 11:00 and stay for lunch.

DAYS OF RECOLLECTION:September 1 – Labor day: What Is Work all about, Fr. Paul Botenhagen oFM

october 6 – St. Francis & Clare: are they different than Me?, Fr. Ken Laverone oFM

November 3 – all Saints/all Souls: Who are they?, Fr. Paul Botenhagen oFM

Note: NO December 1stDay of Recollection

Schedule: (Your Choice) 9:30 am – Gather and Coffee 10:00 am – First Session 11:00 am – Mass 12:00 pm – Lunch 1:00 pm – Second Session 2:00 pm – Closing

Rates: The traditional offering for a Day of Recollection with lunch is $25, but any donation is gratefully accepted.

SPECIAL ADVENTDAYS OF RECOLLECTIONDECEMBER 6THHope in advent?, Fr. Ken Laverone oFM

DECEMBER 13th Women ofadvent, Fr. Paul Botenhagen oFM

DECEMBER 20thSlow Me down, Lord, Fr. Ken Laverone oFM

RETREATSoctober 6-8, 13-15 & 20-22annual Gratitude RetreatsWe have been told that these are the longest, continuous recovery retreats for men in the country. While the first and last weekends generally fill up, there is of-ten room on the second weekend for new participants. If you are interested in more information please contact the Retreat Center at 831-623-4234.

december 8 –10La Pastorela, Women’sSpirituality Retreat with Rosa apodacaOur weekend will focus on El Teatro Campesino’s classic “La Pastorela”.

We will travel to the Old Mission San Juan Bautista to experience our signa-ture blend of community and professional

performers that come together to make this performance a beloved holiday tradition.

After a sign from the Angel of the Lord, the scruffy shepherds embark on their spiri-tual journey to visit the Holy Child, only to find themselves beset along the way by the demonic followers of Luzbel. “La Pas-torela” vibrates with stirring action, vivid color, and robust humor-all set to glori-ous live music and dance-throughout the mission. Performed in Spanish for over thirty years, “La Pastorela” reaches all au-diences with El Teatro Campesino’s broad visual acting style.

Rosa Apodaca a veterana of El Teatro Campesino will be your hostess on this spiritual journey.

Cost for the weekend includes the performance La Pastorela.$240 per person for a shared room, $290 single occupancy

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to make reservations for a retreat, send this form and $25 deposit (per person) to:

St. FranciS retreat / P.O. BOx 970 / San juan BautiSta, ca. 95045

(831) 623-4234 / fax: (831) 623-9046 / www.stfrancisretreat.com / e-mail: info@stfrancisretreat.com

ReSeRvAtion FoRm

call us for information on private retreats and facilities rentals: (831) 623-4234

Limited scholarshipsare available.

On-Line Registration: www.stfrancisretreat.com

Our weekend will focus on El Teatro Campesino's classic "La Pastorela".

We will travel to the Old Mission San Juan Bautista to experience our signature blend of community and professional performers that come together to make this performance a beloved holiday tradition.

After a sign from the Angel of the Lord, the scruffy shepherds embark on their spiritual journey to visit the Holy Child, only to find themselves beset along the way by the demonic followers of Luzbel. “La Pastorela” vibrates with stirring action, vivid color, and robust humor-all set to glorious live music and dance-throughout the mission. Performed in Spanish for over thirty years, “La Pastorela” reaches all audiences with El Teatro Campesino’s broad visual acting style.

Rosa Apodaca a veterana, of El Teatro Campesino, will be your hostess on this spiritual journey

DECEMBER 8-10th

Commuter rates are available for some

events, call (831) 623-4234.

Trained as a psychotherapist / spiritual director and workshop facilitator, I have worked all over Ireland, the U.S.A and Eu-rope including Bosnia and Kosovo. The Aran islands with its unique history, culture and natural beauty provides a special set-ting for the retreat work, and was the place of inspiration for Celtic Passage, a journey of the heart which I lead through music, reflection and prayer.I divide my time be-tween the Aran Islands and the mainland offering retreats, workshops and perfor-mances of spiritual music and also works part time with Partners in Faith.

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An Open InvitationWe invite you to visit us in 2017. Our grounds provide a beautiful and se-rene backdrop at St. Francis Retreat for company events, seminars, confer-ences and retreats. It has been very popular with quilting and artist groups. Everyone raves about our food. Give us a call 831-623-4234.

HAVE A PRIVATE RETREAT AT OUR RETREAT

Have you considered a private retreat?did you know that we have three cottages set aside for indi-viduals and couples to use for private retreats? each has a fully furnished kitchen if you choose to do your own cooking. two have two bedrooms and one is just a single. If the kitchen is open, meals can be purchased. and Fr. Paul and Fr. Ken are both available for private conferences and spiritual direction.

Call to inquire about availability.