Silent Retreat for Women
The saints can be models for us because they are our sisters and brothers, able to show us how God's grace can aid us in our struggles, sufferings and joys. We will let the lives of some favorite saints illuminate our own.
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!"
Sr. Patricia Galli, R.S.M., has Masters degrees in Counseling and Organizational Development and in Theological Studies. She has been a spiritual director for 20 years and a supervisor of spiritual directors. As her parish's Director of Faith Formation she directs a 30-week program of the Spiritual Exercises at Most Holy Trinity Parish in East San José. For the past 13 years she has been a retreat director of JRC's 36-Day program.
Assisting
Mrs. Cathy Collins, mother and grandmother is a graduate of University of San Francisco. For many years she worked as a CPA and Controller for non-profit companies but after earning a Masters in Pastoral Ministry from the Franciscan School of Theology in Berkeley she turned to parish ministry, where she was responsible for liturgy, RCIA and religious education for children. She trained as a Spiritual Director at Mercy Center. Today, Cathy is a spiritual director for the 19th annotation, retreats and general spiritual direction as well as writing for a Catholic publisher. She is a member of our Pierre Favre Program.
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.
Fr. Duc Vu, S.J., a software engineer before joining the Jesuits, was ordained in 2002 and served in a parish until 2007. An M.F.A. in Creative Writing reflects his interest in life as story. He likes to explore the creative dynamic among stories human and divine, as well as the fascinating dialectic between our corporeality and spirituality.
