Silent Retreat for Men
St. Ignatius proposes ways to become free of worldly values and to find happiness in the will of God. This retreat—through prayer and God's grace—will help us to locate and to become free of the ties that bind each of us.
Fr. Bernard Bush, S.J., is a spiritual director and psychotherapist by training, background that he believes enables him to see people's lives in a rich and diverse way. He says he enjoys the challenging adventure of helping others find God in their lives, something he recognizes is different for every person. He defines a spiritual director as one who is a servant to others as they grow in their relationship with God.
Born in Humboldt County, California, Fr. Bernie entered the Society of Jesus following graduation from Bellarmine College Preparatory, San Jose, CA. He was ordained in 1965, and then trained as a spiritual director and psychotherapist, earning a Ph.D. in human science (psychology and theology) from the Saybrook Graduate School, San Francisco. More about Fr. Bernie
Sr. Anne Hennessy, C.S.J. (Orange), has ministered in education (junior high through university) and formation. From 1989 to 2000 she "commuted" between Rome and Israel, teaching at the Gregorian University and ministering in a Jesuit retreat center on the Sea of Galilee.
She has written and lectured on the New Testament and on the Jesuit origins of her community.
Assisting
Fr. George Collins, S.J., was ordained a priest in 2010. He left a career in computer software sales and marketing in 1998 to pursue a graduate degree in Pastoral Ministry at Boston College. Upon completion of that degree, Fr. George entered the Society of Jesus in 2000 and was awarded an M. A. in philosophy at Loyola University, Chicago, in 2004. In 2010, he received his Master of Theological Studies degree from the Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University in Berkeley, CA. Currently, Fr. George is finishing up his Licentiate in Sacred Theology in the area of Christian Spirituality, also at the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley, while residing and helping out at St. Agnes Parish in San Francisco. Fr. Collins has traveled to the Middle East, Central America, and East Africa and has participated in many retreats and Ignatian Spiritual Exercises training programs throughout his formation as a Jesuit.
Ms. Gloria Fahy was born in San Francisco and from the age of nine she lived in the Los Angeles area. She recently returned to Northern California. She has been a physical therapist for 20 years and has worked in a variety of settings. She holds a Master's degree in health care administration. Currently, she works in home care in Sonoma County. After a spiritual awakening Ms. Fahy became passionate about Ignatian Spirituality and is a member of the Pierre Favre Program at El Retiro. Gloria is active in her parish, St. Elizabeth Seton in Rohnert Park, and has assisted in giving retreats there.
Fr. Joseph Fice, S.J., spent 25 years as a religious educator in Jesuit high schools in California and Arizona. He taught at Jesuit High School in Sacramento, Loyola High School in Los Angeles, and Brophy Preparatory School in Phoenix. His academic interests evolved from mathematics to a deep interest in scripture and ethics. After earning a B.S. in Mathematics from Loyola University of Los Angeles, he received an M.A. in Philosophy from Gonzaga University and an S.T.M. in Theology from the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley. A lecturer in Philosophy at Loyola University of Los Angeles from 1967 to 1969, his subsequent high school teaching focused on Scripture and Catholic Christianity.
Fr. Gerald F. Hudson, S.J., was, for many years, a mathematics teacher (at Loyola High School, Loyola Marymount University, and St. Ignatius College Preparatory). He has served several times as a director in the JRC 36-day program. He joined the staff of the JRC in August of 2006 and has been involved in retreats and spiritual direction.
