Programs

Understanding Your Grief - Third Session

With Linda Whelan

Open Dates

Date and Time Second  Wednesday  of the Month, 6:00 – 7:00 PM Enders Island, Angell Hall November 2023- May 2024 This program is limited to 12 participants. Event Introduction When someone you love dies, it can be difficult to understand your often complex and painful thoughts and your feelings surrounding the loss. Understanding Your Grief uses […]

Christian Meditation Group

With Barry and Marie Saluk

Open Dates
Online

Date and Time Wednesday Night 6:00PM EST - Live on Zoom Join this FREE program as we practice Christian meditation each week using the techniques developed by Fr. John Main, OSB. Led by Barry Saluk, a long-time friend and member of the Enders Island Community, this group has been meeting for many years, and all […]

Private Retreat Inquiry Form

Flexible Dates

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 […]

Dahlia Tuber Sale!

April 22 - May 17, 2024
Enders Island
We are pleased to let you know that we will be offering a limited number of Enders Island's prized dahlia tubers for sale.

Spring Bereavement Retreat

With Fr. Demetri Belsito

May 4, 2024
How does one find strength in the midst of suffering? During this day-long retreat led by Fr. Demetri Belsito, a Deacon in the Greek Orthodox Diocese of North America with a PhD in Social Work, participants will discuss the answers to challenging questions that surround the suffering in their lives.

Faith and War Lecture Series: The Great War

With Dr. Yvonne R. Masakowski 

May 14, 2024
The Faith and War lecture series will explore the intersection of faith and war through the lens of the art, music, literature, and poetry which distinguish each war era and have influenced the lives of soldiers, their families, their societies – and our world today.

Embracing God’s Presence through Healing & Listening

With Kathy Irr

May 17 - 19, 2024

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 […]

Essentials of Iconography : Painting the face of the Apostle Saint Peter

With Marek Czarnecki

May 19 - 24, 2024

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 […]

Mary's Womb as a model for Spiritual Receptivity

With Sr. Theresita Donach, CSFN

May 22, 2024
Seeking to deepen your connection with God and find inspiration in the extraordinary life of Mary? Look no further! This Day of Recollection promises an enriching experience, centered around the remarkable theme: "Mary, the First Tabernacle of our God." Uncover the depths of Mary's humanity, and let her incredible journey ignite your own spiritual transformation. Her story will inspire and empower you as you navigate your own spiritual path.

Relief From the Bondage of Self : Women's 11th Step

With Deacon Peter Emr

May 24 - 26, 2024
A weekend journey growing in a more intimate relationship with the God of your understanding through prayer, meditation, and detachment from the bondage of self.

Painting on Stained Glass: A Sacred Art Workshop

With Fabio Pizzol

May 26 - 31, 2024
Enders Island
This workshop will introduce and guide students into the meaning and creation of leaded stained glass through theory, practice and theological discussion. Each participant will create a small piece of leaded stained glass artwork to take home at the end of the workshop.

DO THIS IN MEMORY OF ME; Opening Reception at the Blessed Michael McGivney Pilgrimage Center

May 31, 2024

Join us on May 31, from 5 PM to 8 PM, for the opening reception of the exhibit Do This In Memory of Me. A stunning art exhibit over a year in the making. With over 300 artists submitting more than 650 of their finest art pieces.  One hundred and nine of these works of […]

Saint Therese and the Little Way

With Fr. Don Brick, O.C.D.

June 5, 2024
Join the journey to sainthood during this Day of Recollection with Father Donald Brick, a dedicated Discalced Carmelite. Discover the “Little Way” of Saint Therese that will lead you on the path to holiness, peace, and boundless joy. Her "Little Way" teaches us to find serenity in our imperfections, all while trusting that God is shaping us into our true selves.

Draped in Majesty: Rendering Satin, Velvet, and Brocade in Oils

With Gwyneth Thompson-Briggs

June 9 - 14, 2024
Enders Island
Drapery is one of the most effective tools artists have for making holiness visible. In this week-long retreat, we will learn how to paint fabric like the Old Masters. Of particular interest will be techniques used by painters of the Spanish Baroque and Northern Renaissance.

Faith and War Lecture Series: WWII

With Dr. Yvonne R. Masakowski 

June 18, 2024

The Faith and War lecture series will explore the intersection of faith and war through the lens of the art, music, literature, and poetry which distinguish each war era and have influenced the lives of soldiers, their families, their societies – and our world today. The interplay of faith and war is a driver in […]

An Invitation to Simplicity

With Fr. Anthony Ciorra

June 21 - 23, 2024

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

June 23 - 28, 2024
Deepen your connection with God and focus on your inner spiritual journey. Participants will be provided with the opportunity to meet daily with a spiritual director, attend Mass, and receive the sacrament of Reconciliation.

Finding Recovery Through Art

With Sue Ellen Landwehr

June 29, 2024
Enders Island

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

June 30 - July 5, 2024

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

July 5 - 7, 2024

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 […]

SAINT FRANCIS IN THE DESERT CLASS

Saint Francis in the Desert: A Sacred Art Workshop

With James Patrick Reid

July 7 - 12, 2024
Enders Island

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 […]

Robert's Second image

Anatomy of the Crucifixion

With Robert Armetta

July 7 - 12, 2024

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 […]

Amber Knoor

Relief of The Holy Family

With Amber Knorr

July 14 - 19, 2024

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

August 3, 2024
Enders Island

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

August 4 - 9, 2024
Deepen your connection with God and focus on your inner spiritual journey. Participants will be provided with the opportunity to meet daily with a spiritual director, attend Mass, and receive the sacrament of Reconciliation.

Panel Preparation and Gesso making for Egg Tempera and Icon Painters

With Marek Czarnecki

August 10, 2024
Enders Island

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

August 11 - 16, 2024

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

August 23 - 25, 2024

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

August 25 - 30, 2024
The parables of Jesus are puzzling sayings and stories with world-transforming potential.  They were Jesus’ favorite form of teaching.  Spontaneous and deeply relevant, they enabled him to capture people’s attention, convey his message through familiar imagery, and stir the consciences of his audience to action.  This guided retreat will invite you to apply Jesus’ art of telling parables to your spiritual life.

Fauna and Flora: Signs and Symbols of Plants and Animals in Christian Art

With Richard Berger

August 25 - 30, 2024

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 […]

Plein Air Painting Workshop

With Dan DeLouise

September 28, 2024
Enders Island

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 […]

The Art of Relief Composition

With George Nista

October 13 - 18, 2024
Join us for this immersive 10-session course with George Nista, providing instruction in the four types of relief: alto, mezzo, basso and schiacciato. Learn and employ a variety of methods, including the “Ghiberti” method of projecting figures in a spatial context. Working from the live model in north light, this class will include the various types of high, medium, and low relief, how and when they are used and composed.

Writing Life’s Spiritual Lessons

With Sarah Cortez

October 13 - 18, 2024
Enders Island

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 […]

The Cathedral Builder's Art: An Introduction to Traditional Stone Carving

With Morgan Dummitt

October 20 - 25, 2024

The working of stone has been interwoven with Sacred Art from the earliest days of Christianity, from the building of churches and places of worship to ornamentation and sculpture. This course will introduce students to the art of carving stone by hand. In five days each student will design and complete a decorative limestone carving. Students […]

Dynamic Multi-Figural Composition

With George and Polly Capps

October 20 - 25, 2024
Enders Island

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 […]

Feb Women's 11th step

God Could and Would if He were sought: A Women's 11th Step Retreat

With Sr Catherine (Kay) Kanick RSM

October 25 - 27, 2024

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

November 2, 2024
Enders Island

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

November 8 - 10, 2024

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

November 9, 2024
Enders Island

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 […]

Navigating Grief During the Holiday Season: A Journey from Mourning to Joy

With Gae Savino, MPA, LCSW, CT

November 16, 2024
Traditionally, the holidays are a time to gather with family and; friends, yet for individuals experiencing the death of a loved one grief overshadows the season. Although different, the holidays are manageable!

The Painted Altarpiece

With James Langley

November 17 - 22, 2024
Enders Island
This workshop will introduce and guide students into the meaning and creation of leaded stained glass through theory, practice and theological discussion. Each participant will create a small piece of leaded stained glass artwork to take home at the end of the workshop.

Forgiveness: The Path to Inner Peace and Sobriety, A Men's 11th Step Retreat

With Fr. Anthony Ciorra

November 22 - 24, 2024

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.

Advent Day of Recollection

With Kathy Irr

December 4, 2024
Advent offers an invitation to contemplate and pray into the profound experience of stillness and wonder. During some of our busiest activities, let’s take time to deliberately and slowly reflect on the idea of transformation.

An 11th Step Retreat for Women; Practicing the Spirit of Christmas in All Things

With Kathy Irr

December 13 - 15, 2024

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

December 14, 2024
How does one find strength in the midst of suffering? During this day-long retreat led by Fr. Demetri Belsito, a Deacon in the Greek Orthodox Diocese of North America with a PhD in Social Work, participants will discuss the answers to challenging questions that surround the suffering in their lives.

Opening Our Minds; Opening Our Hearts; A Women's 11th Step Weekend

With Kathy Irr

February 28 - March 2, 2025
This weekend offers you an opportunity to get away from the noise and the routine of everyday life and let your mind and soul breathe in the love, compassion, and healing nature of God. Simply put; come let God love you this weekend.

Finding Recovery Through Art

With Sue Ellen Landwehr

March 8, 2025
Enders Island
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.

The Practice of Self-Searching: A Men's 11th Step Weekend

With Deacon Peter Emr

March 14 - 16, 2025

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

March 28 - 30, 2025
A women's weekend. We can all improve our lives by following what the Steps teach us. In this retreat we will come together to explore and learn how we can deepen our relationship with God from a Christian perspective, and begin living our lives without fear, guilt or worry.

A Day of Solitude

With Kathy Irr

April 1 - 2, 2025

“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 […]