General Retreat Information
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St. Teresa of Avila Retreat Center
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Retreat FAQ's
The Saint Theresa of Avila Retreat Center intends to provide silent retreats in order to enable the opportunity for the individual to grow closer to Our Lord before he re-engages with the world to sanctify it.
Who Can Attend?
Men & Women (retreat specific) 18 and older
Why would I go on a retreat?:
St. Teresa of Avila and St. Alphonsus state the necessity of mental prayer, a conversation with Christ, to living a life in the state of grace. The break, and silence, away from the noise of the world, at least annually, allows a period of intense prayer that brings grace and growth towards a life of contemplation. The retreat’s goal isn’t fulfilled at the end, but the person carries grace into his/her life, so that they may grow in the love of God and sanctify the world.
When should I arrive & depart?:
Check-in generally starts at 4 PM, though may change slightly based on the Retreat Master on Thursday and supper will be provided that evening. The retreat will conclude around 1:30PM after Holy Mass and brunch on Sunday.
Where are the retreats held?:
Retreats are held in the St. Teresa of Avila Retreat Center at Edelweiss House located near Greensburg, IN. Our address is: 592 N CR 650E, Greensburg, IN 47240, about 3.5 miles off I-74.
What Can I Expect?:- Daily Holy Mass
- Preached Meditations
- Confession
- Deep peace, conversion and lots of quiet free time to reflect
What Retreat Materials Should I Bring?:
- Douay Rheims Bible
- Notebook
- Pen
- Alarm clock
- Rosary
- Watch
- Retreat Specific Materials (will be emailed after sign up)
- Outdoor walking shoes/clothes for hiking (if desired)
What personal items should I bring?:
At this time we have shared bedroom and bathrooms, and we will provide individual linens, towels, etc. Please bring any amenities such as bathrobe, slippers, etc that you prefer to use especially for transitioning from bath to bedroom through a common space. We do have simple toiletries available as well.
What are the Retreat Guidelines?:
A full list of retreat guidelines can be downloaded on the Retreat Guidelines page or by clicking here.
Are these truly silent retreats?:All retreats are intended to be completely silent. Unless defined by the Retreat Master per his retreat plan, from the moment you enter the retreat and until completion. Silence allows for a more fruitful experience for you and other retreat attendees; therefore, we ask that you observe this rule to the best of your ability. Conversation will be permitted during the first and last meal of the retreat.
Men: Slacks, dress shoes, collared button up shirt, sport/suit coat required in the Chapel
What should I wear?:
Women: Dress/skirts that fall below the knee while sitting, blouses that cover the neckline and arms to the elbow, and head covering while in the Chapel.
What do the Retreats Cost?:We want to maximize the opportunity for the retreat, which is why we provided a minimum suggested donation to cover the expenses as we are a non-profit and survive solely off donations to include full time and part time volunteers that run Edelweiss House. Please contact us if you can’t afford the minimum suggested donation of $325, as we don’t want to turn someone away. Anything above and beyond that is greatly appreciated. You can donate by clicking here or on our Retreat Donations Page, or by mailing a check to Edelweiss House, 592 N CR650E, Greensburg, IN 47240. Thank you for your generosity.
What might my room look like?
We currently have shared bedrooms, but we are working hard to make them as private and comfortable as possible. A sample room is shown below.
What other things can I expect on-site?
Edelweiss House is a multi-faceted site and rests on a 150 acre farm. Part of it is wooded, part is pasture land, and fields for the Regenerative Catholic Back to Land Center.
Our Dining Area: We are looking foward to serving wholesome meals for you in our shared dining area.
Feeling up for a stroll?: Take a peaceful walk through its trails while you're here, and enjoy God's beauty. Let the creek soothe you as you cross over into the woods. Pray the Stations of the Cross while you are hiking. There are plenty of places to walk, pray the rosary, and be in nature. Please see more pictures at the bottom of this page.
Need time alone for prayer?: Find one of the many quiet spaces to meditate, pray, and talk with God. Over the creek there are trails that also lead up to our Stations of the Cross. Please see more pictures at the bottom of this page.
Enjoy seeing farm animals?: Stroll past the pasture where the cows and chickens are grazing.
Want to spend time in our Chapel?:
Our recently constructed chapel, includes a confessional and is a great private space for prayer and meditation.
Have other questions not mentioned here?: Please contact us at [email protected]
We look forward to your attendance at the Retreat, and we will be praying that it will be most fruitful for each of you.
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On-Site Spaces - While You're Visiting
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