Programs
Christian Meditation Group
With Barry and Marie Saluk
Open Dates
Online
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 are welcome!
Understanding Your Grief - Third Session
With Linda Whelan
Open Dates
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 the book and workbook of the same name by author Dr. Alan Wolfelt. We will explore the 10 touchstones—or trail markers—that are essential physical, emotional, cognitive, and social signs for mourners to look for on their journey through grief.
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 miss in the busyness of our everyday lives.
Only a few left- Dahlia Tuber Sale!
April 22 - May 24, 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.
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 process and traditional materials.
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 art have been chosen for this prestigious Sacred Art Exhibit in the Blessed Michael McGivney Pilgrimage Center (formerly the Knights of Columbus Museum), which will run through August 25, 2024.
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.
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.”
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 will be encouraged to find their own sacred, expressive, artistic style.
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 to visit the parts of our lives that are full yet broken and chipped.
AA and Al-Anon in Dialogue
With Fr. Richard Myhalyk , SSE
July 5 - 7, 2024
New life – New Vision: Carl Jung wrote, " We are wounded in relationship, and in relationship we must heal.” That is particularly true in relationships affected by alcoholism and other addictions. The weekend explores the common ground that the 12 Steps play both for addicts and for those whose lives are affected by addicted persons.
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 Christian spiritual life. We will not produce replicas of Bellini's painting but a series of drawn and painted studies that are of greater educational value. All levels are welcome, from beginner to advanced.
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.
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 gold leaf on wood and plaster surfaces using traditional and modern techniques.
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.
This class will be great for artists of all skill levels!
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.
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 drawing and floral study, including discussion as to their signs and symbols.
Plein Air Painting Workshop
With Dan DeLouise
September 28, 2024
Enders Island
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 instructor, Dan DeLouise, will then spend the afternoon individually with each student to help us to focus on painting "in and out of the light" quickly, so that we can better learn how to not to fall victim of "chasing the light" around the painting.
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 […]
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, […]
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 will be encouraged to find their own sacred, expressive, artistic style.
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 life.
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 develop your practice as you continue your journey towards the relief from the bondage of self and a relationship with the God of your understanding.
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
Join us on Enders Island for A Day of Solitude. Take time out of your busy schedule to pray, reconnect with your faith, and grow closer to God through the peaceful seclusion that the Island provides. During your stay, you will be able to meet with a spiritual director, attend daily mass, pray in our chapels, and walk our grounds. Experience the serenity that can be found when you step away from the world and enter into undisturbed, prayerful meditation.
Spring Bereavement
With Fr. Demetri Belsito
May 3, 2025
The structure of the day will struggle to weave time together with time being alone; the group will be encouraged to share on all levels of experience, allowing for individual reticence and respecting the desire for mutuality. Doubts, fears, uncertainties, worries, questions…all are welcome, and all are pertinent to the group’s quest.