Non-silent Retreat for Men, including Menlo Park, Ferrari/Rossi, Stockton, and Joseph Stack groups
Trees and plants and flowers of every sort flourish in these Spring days. Nature daily opens for us endless reflections of God's creative love, inspiring our awe. The Scriptures and Ignatius will guide us on grateful pilgrimage.
Fr. James Flynn, S.J. was born in 1942 in Los Angeles, CA and attended St. Charles Grammar School in North Hollywood. After graduating from Bishop Garcia Diego High School in Santa Barbara in 1960, he matriculated at Santa Clara University. On September 8, 1961, he entered the Society of Jesus at Los Gatos.
After the normal course of training at Los Gatos, Fr. Jim majored in philosophy and English at Gonzaga University, graduating in 1967. He taught at Loyola High School, Los Angeles from 1967-1970, and after theological studies at the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley, he graduated with an M.Div. in 1973. He was ordained a priest on June 15, 1973. That same year he completed a Master's Degree in English at Loyola University, Los Angeles. More about Fr. Jim
Mr. Kevin Connolly, a retired personal financial advisor and army reservist, is a native of San Francisco. After five years in the minor seminary, he obtained a B.A. from the University of San Francisco and a M.A. from American University (Washington, D.C.), both in Political Science. He is a current participant in the Pierre Favre Program and a parish member of the Santa Rosa Diocesan Pastoral Council, and he serves on a number of other church affiliated boards. Kevin and Honora have been married 41 years and are the parents of three children and the grandparents of three.
Assisting
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!"
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.
Susan Mahan, Ph.D. is Director of Faith Formation at Holy Eucharist Parish in Watsonville and serves as a Master Catechist for the Diocese of Monterey, teaching Deacons, parish educators and lay people. She is also on the faculty of the University of San Francisco. An experienced teacher, leader of retreats and spiritual director, she is married and is the mother of three grown children.
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.
