Silent Retreat for Men
Our callings include many tasks, and God has left us practical tools. We will examine the spiritual tool kit laid before us by the Church, which provides skills to deal with the challenge of living as Christ's disciples.
Fr. Kevin Ballard, S.J. was born in San Francisco and raised in a traveling military family, joined the Society of Jesus in 1972 and was ordained in 1985. His ministry, mainly in parishes, has also included community organizing, high school teaching, and retreat work. Three years in Kathmandu, Nepal were a highlight and delight. His ongoing interest in Ignatian Spirituality has entailed directing the Spiritual Exercises in their various forms. Since 1981, the blessings of the 12 Steps have been key to life and work. Judaism has been an ongoing inspiration. He is blessed to live sober, one day at a time, since 1981. Kevin is recreated by languages, bird-watching and "staring into space!"
Ms. Randi Schmidt studied psychology in Oslo, Norway, and worked on research projects there and in the USA and Switzerland. With a spiritual awakening, she turned to training and work in pastoral counseling and chaplaincy. Randi holds a certificate in spiritual direction from Mercy Center and an MA in spirituality from Santa Clara University. At present, she is training in the Pierre Favre program at El Retiro.
Assisting
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
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.
Mr. Edwin Waite, in 2006 engaged in the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius in preparation for his retirement after 25 years in labor relations and human resource management at San Francisco State University. Edwin holds a BS in Business Administration/Human Resource Management and a certificate in Spiritual Direction, Mercy Center; studied at the Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley; and is currently training in the Pierre Favre Program at JRC, Los Altos.
A life-long Episcopalian, Edwin finds a strong bond with Ignatian spirituality in that, through prayer and out of gratitude for the love we experience in our relationship with Jesus, we are drawn to a life of service and become a people of hope.
