For Priests

Monday, November 10 – Wednesday, November 12, 2025
(Concludes with lunch at 12:30 PM)

Check-In Begins: 3 p.m.
Retreat Begins: 4:30 p.m.

USML Conference Center & Lodge
300 Principal Drive, Mundelein, IL 60060

Retreat Information:
“Priest Retirement” is a many-sided reality. With all the challenges and opportunities of anyone approaching this next stage in life. But also, with many unique possibilities and options for what is next for a priest. This takes some discerning. Which needs prayer and information and self-reflection and perhaps some encouragement. This retreat is for priests who already have it all figured out and for those for whom this has snuck up them. Whether this is your potential retirement year or not quite there yet. Insights into the spiritual, psychological, physiological, financial aspects of retirement will be provided, in a conversational atmosphere. Past participants consistently give this time together sterling reviews and recommend it to others.

Director: Fr. Kenneth Simpson
Father Kenneth Simpson was born, raised and educated in the Chicago area and was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Chicago in 1978. He has served small ethnic, large suburban and city parishes across the Archdiocese as well as seminary, campus ministry and Archdiocesan administration. As a Senior Priest, he now serves as a Consultant for Priest Ongoing Formation and lives with seminarians in their Propaedeutic Period. And as Chaplain to Catholic Charities. He has also proudly served first responders as Chaplain, EMT and Firefighter with a number of Fire Departments. Fr. Simpson holds a Master of Divinity (M Div) degree from the University of St Mary of the Lake and a Master in Applied Spirituality (MAS) from the University of San Francisco.

Cost: $300.00

Directions: USML's main entrance off Route 176 is open during campus visiting hours (9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily). We recommend entry to campus from Route 45 (Lake Street). This entrance is just north of the Route 176/Route 45 intersection. In your GPS, enter “Route 45 and Dunbar/University Mundelein, IL” for directions to this entrance. Once on campus, please follow the signs to the Purple Parking Lot, where you can park for the duration of your stay.

Payment Information: Once registration is completed, please send in a check with the name of your retreat in the memo line to reserve your spot. Our mailing address is:

Joseph and Mary Retreat House
PO Box 455
1300 Stritch Drive
Mundelein, IL 60060

***Please note that, beginning September 1, 2024, Joseph & Mary Retreat House will be relocating to the University of St. Mary of the Lake's Conference Center as we reimagine the future retreat ministry of the Archdiocese of Chicago.***

Monday, November 10- Friday, November 14
Check-In Begins: 5PM
Retreat Begins: 7PM
Carmelite Spirituality Center: 8419 Bailey Rd. Darien, IL 60561

Retreat Information:
The compelling nature of Karl Rahner's claim, "The Christian of the future will either be a mystic or will be nothing at all," is universally acknowledged. However, this statement assumes that a person remains attuned with God’s invitation to spiritual growth and also knows how to integrate the mystical and prophetic elements of everyday Christian life. This retreat will focus on the Gospel of John, exploring its mystical themes, but will also integrate the spiritual insights of contemplatives such as Ignatius Loyola, Teresa of Avila, and Thomas Merton. We’ll spend our time pondering God's desire to reside within each soul and discovering how to sustain and even deepen such a gift in our troubled world today. Besides two brief sets of daily points for prayer, the retreat will afford ample time for personal prayer, for group sharing and fellowship, including shared meals and the daily celebration of the Eucharist. We hope that you will consider joining us for this forthcoming retreat.

Director: Fr. Dan Hartnett spent 25 years in Peru where he combined parish work among the economically poor with teaching at university. Returning to Chicago, he served as pastor of Most Blessed Trinity Parish in Waukegan and then as pastor of Bellarmine Chapel at Xavier University in Cincinnati. Currently, Fr. Dan assists with the theological training of Spanish-speaking deacons and serves as chaplain for both the Ignatian Volunteer Corps and Solidarity Bridge.

Cost: $595

Payment Information: Once registration is completed, please send in a check with the name of your retreat in the memo line to reserve your spot. Our mailing address is:

Joseph and Mary Retreat House
PO Box 455
1300 Stritch Drive
Mundelein, IL 60060

Questions?

For more information or for assistance with registration, please contact Teresa Corcoran at 847.566.6060 or [email protected]

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