In Person
Men's 11th Step Template
Enders Island has long been steeped in the traditions and spirituality of the Twelve Step Program which had it's beginnings in 1935 with the birth of AA. Our Recovery Retreats provide a unique opportunity for individuals to encounter and accompany one another as a recovery community seeking to live out the twelve […]
Introduction to the Art of Calligraphy- Four Week Series
With Caroline Joy Adams
Calligraphy is the art of beautiful handwriting, and is a very calming, enjoyable, almost meditative activity. It also has many practical uses, so come join us and learn some basic calligraphic techniques. You will get a quick overview of three popular calligraphic hands—Uncial, Italic, and Blackletter -- and you’ll have fun creating some beautiful bookmarks, […]
Private Retreat
Wouldn't you like to be alone with God? Jesus did, too. In the hustle and bustle of the crowds pressing him for cures, miracles, and the Word of God, the evangelists tell us that Jesus frequently withdrew to commune with His Father. At Enders Island, you can find the peace and beauty which we frequently […]
Workshop Accommodations
Please call for availability Enders Island has a limited number of rooms available for the workshop. Register here for your two night stay. If only booking a one night stay please call our Programs Office at 860.536.0565. The island is surrounded by breathtaking views of Long Island Sound and wonderful gardens to enjoy. Because […]
A Spiritual Retreat for Review Board Members
With Teresa Pitt Green
Open to both new and long-term diocesan and religious-order review board members, this week-long retreat complies with Church commitment to provide ongoing training and formation for review board members. It will present a comprehensive overview of current board governance and also tend to the spiritual well-being of review boards. For more information or to […]
Introduction to the Art of Calligraphy- May 2
With Caroline Joy Adams
Week # 2 We will work on the graceful and elegant Italic hand, which can be used for a great variety of purposes, from addressing envelopes, creating place cards, or rendering quotes or scripture verses, and much more.
Spring Bereavement Retreat
With Fr. Demetri Belsito
Introduction to the Art of Calligraphy- May 9
With Caroline Joy Adams
Week # 3 We will continue practice with the Italic hand, and work on the Roman Capitals, and their variations, that accompany the lower case letters.
Faith and War Lecture Series: The Great War
With Dr. Yvonne R. Masakowski
Introduction to the Art of Calligraphy- May 16
With Caroline Joy Adams
Week # 4 We will work on a version of the Blackletter, or Gothic hand (the one that the elegant typeface of the Gutenberg Bible is based on) and is useful for a variety of modern purposes, as well.
Embracing God’s Presence through Healing & Listening
With Kathy Irr
Finding God in others begins with being actively present to the wisdom of the body. If we truly believe that the body is the Temple of the Holy Spirit, then we must listen closely, with humility, openness, curiosity, and gratitude to receive whatever awareness God wants us to have. When our minds are quieted, pathways […]
Eucharistic Altar Niche Painting Workshop
With Ann Schmalstieg- Barrett
This oil painting workshop will explore devotion to the Eucharist as expressed through the 17th century Altar Niche paintings. Through the course of the week, artists will be guided in creating a master copy of one of these works (ex. “Altar Niche with Symbols of the Eucharist with Flowers and Fruit” by Kessel), learning concepts […]
Essentials of Iconography : Painting the face of the Apostle Saint Peter
With Marek Czarnecki
Join us for an Iconography workshop with one of the country’s most talented Iconographers. Throughout this workshop Marek guides you through the foundations for writing an icon. Understanding that simplicity can be very deep but not always easy, through this workshop you will discover and deepen your knowledge of painting an icon using a historical […]
Relief From the Bondage of Self : Women's 11th Step
With Deacon Peter Emr
Painting on Stained Glass: A Sacred Art Workshop
With Fabio Pizzol
St Edmund's 4th Annual Pipes & Drums Flag Day Tattoo
Draped in Majesty: Rendering Satin, Velvet, and Brocade in Oils
With Gwyneth Thompson-Briggs
An Invitation to Simplicity
With Fr. Anthony Ciorra
We live in complex times filled with fear, loneliness, sadness, and anxiety. This retreat will be a grace-filled opportunity to pray with the scriptures. We will explore the alternative way of simplicity, which will anchor us in hope to give us the “peace that the world cannot give.” Ender’s island is the perfect setting for […]
A Week of Silence and Prayer/ A Directed Retreat
With Fr. Richard Myhalyk , SSE, Kathy Irr and Deborah Notarianni
Finding Recovery Through Art
With Sue Ellen Landwehr
Using a variety of mixed media techniques such as collage, watercolor, and pen and ink, participants will create a 12 step art journal, combining the benefits of art and the exploration of their recovery through the 12 step journey. Using guided techniques including short meditations and writing prompts in a relaxing and supportive atmosphere, participants […]
Filling Your Cup of Life: A Journey to renewed Vitality
With Sr Theresita Donach CSFN
Filling Your Cup of Life guided retreat will allow you to spend time learning how to keep peace and joy in your life. This transformative journey will help to empower you to embrace self-care as a priority, redefining balance and fostering harmonious relationships with yourself, and the world around you. Together we will be able […]
AA and Al-Anon in Dialogue
Carl Jung wrote that “we are wounded in relationship, and in relationship we must heal.” That is particularly true in relationships affected by alcoholism and other addictions. Not only does the alcoholic need to return to their wounds again and again to find and maintain their sobriety, but those who have loved alcoholics must heal […]
Women's 11th Step and Personal Transformation
With Sr. Marie Mackey, CSJ
Saint Francis in the Desert: A Sacred Art Workshop
With James Patrick Reid
How does a painting manifest divine beauty? In this workshop, we will draw and paint a series of studies from Giovanni Bellini's masterpiece "Saint Francis in the Desert," guided by lectures and demonstrations investigating the qualities of line, shape, color, light, form, and composition, the theological dimension of these qualities, and their role in the […]
Anatomy of the Crucifixion
With Robert Armetta
For centuries artists have studied and marveled at the anatomy of Christ crucified for its ability to show the body and the muscles employed as a way to reveal the passion and sacrifice. This 10 session course, Anatomy of the Crucifixion, focuses on the anatomy of the Corpus of Christ crucified is presented exclusively at […]
Relief of The Holy Family
With Amber Knorr
Students will be painting a relief of The Holy Family. This course will teach students the techniques of 17th-century Spanish polychrome sculpture. This technique can achieve remarkable realism. Students will learn how to gild and paint provided sculptures using egg tempera painted on top of a previously gilded surface. Students will learn how to gild […]
Plein Air Painting Workshop
With Dan DeLouise
Join us for a day of painting and instruction on the beautiful grounds of Enders Island! Choose from the fabulous gardens, seascapes and architecture for your piece. Starting the day with a demonstration, we will evaluate how to develop a good composition, painting applications, the block-in, all the way to your finished work. Our talented […]
A Week of Silence and Prayer
With Fr. Richard Myhalyk , SSE and Fr. Demetri Belsito
Panel Preparation and Gesso making for Egg Tempera and Icon Painters
With Marek Czarnecki
Egg tempera must be painted onto a stiff, inflexible panel, coated with an absorbent primer called “gesso”. In a one-day workshop, iconographer and instructor Marek Czarnecki will teach students the process of making true artists’ gesso with rabbit skin glue, chalk and marble dust. There will be an examination of the historical types of panels […]
Essentials of Iconography 2024 : Painting the face of the Apostle Saint Paul
With Marek Czarnecki
Join us for an Iconography workshop with one of the country’s most talented Iconographers. Throughout this workshop Marek guides you through the foundations for writing an icon. Understanding that simplicity can be very deep but not always easy, through this workshop you will discover and deepen your knowledge of painting an icon using a historical […]
Living and Praying in a Divisive World: What does Our Program Teach Us? A Men's 11th Step
With Fr John Koelle, OFM Cap
Fr. John will explore how a life centered on God can help us encounter and discover a path toward spiritual growth through scripture, the saints, and the experiences of others living in recovery.
Jesus’ Art of Telling Parables
With Fr. Richard Myhalyk , SSE
Fauna and Flora: Signs and Symbols of Plants and Animals in Christian Art
With Richard Berger
The role of animals and flowers found in sacred scripture, especially in Catholic art, is prevalent, from their creation in Genesis to the donkey who bore the unborn Christ Child to Bethlehem to the rooster on Good Friday. Join us at the Sacred Art Institute of Saint Edmund’s Retreat for this 10-session course of animal […]
Journaling & Healing: An Individual Guided Retreat
With Teresa Pitt Green
This retreat explores storytelling in the process of healing and recovery from abuse or trauma of any kind, as found in Scripture, the lives of saints, and the stories of great artists. Retreatants will explore new ways to understand their own life stories and will walk through a guided process of enriching (or beginning) their […]
Plein Air Painting Workshop
With Dan DeLouise
Join us for a day of painting and instruction on the beautiful grounds of Enders Island! Choose from the fabulous gardens, seascapes and architecture for your piece. Starting the day with a demonstration, we will evaluate how to develop a good composition, painting applications, the block-in, all the way to your finished work. Our talented […]
Inspiration & Hope
With Teresa Pitt Green
This week-long guided retreat, available to individuals and to small groups, will blend private discussion and writing sessions that will explore creative and inspiring ways to link trauma topics with inspiration from Scripture, including the lives of saints, the liturgical calendar, sacramentals, and other beloved devotions to enrich your homilies, speaking, writing, counsel, and care […]
The Art of Relief Composition
With George Nista
Writing Life’s Spiritual Lessons
With Sarah Cortez
Each person of Faith encounters many steps along the pilgrim road toward God. We often wish to share these stories with others. How do we find the right words? How do we put our hard-earned wisdom on the page so that it resonates with others? Our time together will teach you how to craft stories […]
Dynamic Multi-Figural Composition
With George and Polly Capps
In this course, we will explore the principles necessary to create visually compelling original artwork involving multiple figures in motion. Taking inspiration from the breathtaking drama and monumental scope of the Counter-Reformation masters, the curriculum will break down the steps involved in producing these time-tested masterpieces of Western Christian culture and equip students to tackle […]
God Could and Would if He were sought: A Women's 11th Step Retreat
With Sr Catherine (Kay) Kanick RSM
This week-end will focus on relying on the God of our Understanding to enable us to find serenity throughout our recovery seasons. It will consist of presentations, prayer, discussion, and time for quiet..
Calligraphic Card and Gift Making
With Caroline Joy Adams
Calligraphy is the art and craft of beautiful handwriting and is a perfect way to create some handmade Christmas gifts for your loved ones. So come join us and learn some basic calligraphic techniques. You will get a quick overview of three popular calligraphic hands—Italic, Uncial, and Blackletter- and have fun creating some beautiful bookmarks, […]
Practicing Life with the Serenity Prayer
One of the first things most of us learn about the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous is the Serenity Prayer. It brings peace to people from their earliest struggles in recovery throughout a long, well life to come. At some point along the way, the prayer becomes a practice, and the practice becomes a way […]
Finding Recovery Through Art
With Sue Ellen Landwehr
Using a variety of mixed media techniques such as collage, watercolor, and pen and ink, participants will create a 12 step art journal, combining the benefits of art and the exploration of their recovery through the 12 step journey. Using guided techniques including short meditations and writing prompts in a relaxing and supportive atmosphere, participants […]
Memento Mori
With Ann Schmalstieg- Barrett
This week-long workshop's studio time lasts five consecutive days. Check in begins Sunday night at 4:30. Dinner is served at 5:30 pm for students and instructors. Dinner is followed by a workshop introduction and conference, which ends at 9:00 pm. Hands-on instruction begins early Monday morning. The entire workshop ends Friday at 1 PM. Workshop […]
Navigating Grief During the Holiday Season: A Journey from Mourning to Joy
With Gae Savino, MPA, LCSW, CT
The Painted Altarpiece
With James Langley
Forgiveness: The Path to Inner Peace and Sobriety, A Men's 11th Step Retreat
With Fr. Anthony Ciorra
Forgiveness, the art of letting go, is at the heart of the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. The most challenging thing that we are asked to do is to make amends by forgiving ourselves and then asking for forgiveness from others. Forgiveness is a long process that we will begin on the journey of this retreat.
An 11th Step Retreat for Women; Practicing the Spirit of Christmas in All Things
With Kathy Irr
Come to the water and allow yourself to be filled with every grace and blessing. Take time to unplug, heal from within, reduce stress, and remove excess baggage through prayer and meditation. Let’s carry the true spirit of Christmas by letting God fill our wish list with everything that leads to a peaceful and fulfilling […]
Winter Bereavement Retreat
With Fr. Demetri Belsito
SoulCollage
With Sue Ellen Landwehr
SoulCollage® can assist in the journey towards a more felt connection with God. Many in traditional religious settings long for this connection but need more tools. SoulCollage® is an accessible, doable practice that can open up a wellspring of feeling, insight, and connection to the Divine. Many themes have been explored with SoulCollage including […]
Opening Our Minds; Opening Our Hearts; A Women's 11th Step Weekend
With Kathy Irr
Finding Recovery Through Art
With Sue Ellen Landwehr
The Practice of Self-Searching: A Men's 11th Step Weekend
With Deacon Peter Emr
The 12 and 12 describes “Self-searching - as the means by which we bring new vision, action, and grace to bear upon the dark and negative side of our nature. A step in the development of that kind of humility that makes it possible to receive God’s help.” This weekend retreat will help to further […]
Twelve Steps for Every Woman
With Kathy Irr
A Day of Solitude
With Kathy Irr
“Rising very early before dawn, He left and went off to a deserted place, where He prayed.” Mark 1:35 In a world filled with chaos and noise, it is easy to allow earthy concerns to become the foregrounds of our existence. But in times of trouble, it becomes increasingly important to quiet our minds […]
Pysanky Workshop
With Father Paul Luniw
Living the Spirituality of Mary
With Maureen O'Brien
Weeklong Sacred Art
This week-long workshop's studio time lasts five consecutive days and begins Sunday night at 5:30 pm with a dinner for students and instructors. Dinner is followed by a workshop introduction and conference which ends at 9:00 pm. Hands-on instruction begins early Monday morning. The entire workshop ends Friday at 1 PM. Commuter: Workshop + […]
Finding Recovery Through Art
With Sue Ellen Landwehr
The Gifts of the Spirit; Living Life to the Fullest
With Kathy Irr
Without spiritual gifts, we are left to flounder, attempting to take on responsibilities outside of God’s will. The Holy Spirit works within each of us, equipping us in different ways and yet uniting us to serve God and his Church. This retreat will give you an opportunity to deepen your prayer […]
A Week of Prayer, and Peace: A Directed Retreat
With St Marion Scranton and Fr. Demetri Belsito
Finding Recovery Through Art
With Sue Ellen Landwehr
Come Just As You Are: A Women's 11th Step Retreat
With Kathy Irr
The 11th Step invites us to notice the spiritual awakenings in our daily lives. It begs us to ask the question, “How can I love deeper and wider?” This question can only be answered with thought and discernment, prayer and meditation. Come and explore the practices we can use daily to improve our lives. […]
Practicing Life with the Serenity Prayer
With
One of the first things most of us learn about the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous is the Serenity Prayer. It brings peace to people from their earliest struggles in recovery throughout a long, well life to come. At some point along the way, the prayer becomes a practice, and the practice becomes a way […]