Workshops and Retreats
Prayer Workshops
Learn new (and ancient) ways to pray - all grounded in Christian tradition and theology. These interactive learning experiences are available for individuals, families, and groups.
Prayer styles include:
Lectio Divina - A slow, deep, heart-centered reading of Scripture with a focus on God’s personal message to us.
Rose Window - Meditative drawing and coloring to help us listen to the Holy Spirit within our hearts.
Praying with clay - Meditative prayer designed to help us discover what lies deep in our hearts, and to place this before God.
Examen - A style of prayer developed by Ignatius of Loyola in which we consider the day’s blessings, God’s presence, and our response.
Spontaneous prayer - A simple model for unscripted prayer - for praying on your own and with others.
Contemplative prayer for beginners - Cultivating deeper intimacy with God through awareness, silence, and receptivity.
Retreats
Retreats are available in half-day and full-day formats.
Every group is unique. Please click the button below to schedule a Retreat Consult to work with Anna to design and plan a retreat experience for your group. You can also use the same link to schedule a free initial consult to learn more and see if a Missa Est retreat is right for your group. If you are interested in hosting a Missa Est retreat but would like to request a custom topic, please schedule an initial consult to discuss your group’s needs.
*Note: The following two retreats follow a similar format and are both based on Psalm 77. These are offered as separate retreats because each one has a particular thematic focus – one on infertility and the other on grieving.
Through the Mighty Waters – A Retreat for Those Affected by Infertility: In this retreat (half day or full day), we will explore and meditate on Psalm 77. Participants are given the opportunity to create their own personal psalm based on their unique story and relationship with God. We will reflect on Psalm 77 in the style of Lectio Divina – a slow, prayerful reading of Scripture that focuses on God’s personal message to each of us. Participants will be invited to journal about their experience of infertility and to discover what their relationship with God has been like on this journey. Times for personal prayer are offered throughout the retreat. Holy Mass, Confession, and Adoration can be incorporated when possible – in cooperation with a hosting parish. This retreat offers a sacred space for participants to rest, reflect, let their unique stories be seen by God, and to receive his love and accompaniment no matter where they are on their journeys. Prayerful silence is kept for most of the retreat – with an opportunity to share about the retreat experience near the end of the day.
Though Your Footsteps Were Unseen – A Retreat for Those Who Are Grieving:
In this retreat (half day or full day), we will explore and meditate on Psalm 77. Participants are given the opportunity to create their own personal psalm based on their unique story and relationship with God. We will reflect on Psalm 77 in the style of Lectio Divina – a slow, prayerful reading of Scripture that focuses on God’s personal message to each of us. Participants will be invited to journal about their experience of grief and to discover what their relationship with God has been like on this journey. Times for personal prayer are offered throughout the retreat. Holy Mass, Confession, and Adoration can be incorporated when possible – in cooperation with a hosting parish. This retreat offers a sacred space for participants to rest, reflect, let their unique stories be seen by God, and to receive his love and accompaniment no matter where they are on their journeys. Prayerful silence is kept for most of the retreat – with an opportunity to share about the retreat experience near the end of the day.
In Giving that We Receive - A Retreat for Those Who Serve Others: This retreat (half or full day) offers a time of respite and reflection for those who serve others or dedicate themselves to working for the common good. This retreat offers two prepared reflections on the reciprocal nature of love and mercy. Time is also given for participants to rest and reflect on their own experiences of service and to welcome the ways God wants to bless them as they move forward.
Custom Build: I am open to creating new retreats to serve the particular needs of each group or community. I will thoughtfully and prayerfully consider each request to determine if and how I am able to serve each group.
