Welcome to our Program and Events page. Please scroll below for our current offerings.
Summer 2026
World On Fire Spiritual Direction Formation Program
Annual Summer Speaker Series
Presents:
Brother Don Bisson, FMS
Dreams in Spiritual Direction
August 4, 2026
St. Francis Springs Prayer Center
Stoneville, NC
Annual Summer Speaker Series
Presents:
Brother Don Bisson, FMS
Dreams in Spiritual Direction
August 4, 2026
St. Francis Springs Prayer Center
Stoneville, NC
World on Fire Spiritual Direction Formation Program in affiliation with the Emmaus Center for Spirituality is pleased to announce the following continuing education opportunity for spiritual directors and supervisors. See below for details.
ABOUT OUR WORKSHOP: Dreams in Spiritual Direction is a workshop offered for training spiritual directors and supervisors to incorporate materials from the unconscious for listening to God. Dreams can be revelations of self knowledge, an encounter with the holy, discernment of voices and discovery of meaning in synchronicity with a personal symbol system.
This workshop is being offered in person and virtually via Zoom.
This workshop is being offered in person and virtually via Zoom.
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ABOUT OUR PRESENTER: Don Bisson, FMS, D.Min. Brother Don Bisson is a spiritual director, trainer and supervisor of directors. He is widely respected as a commentator and workshop leader on the interrelationship of spirituality and psychology. A Marist brother based in New York, he has graduate degrees in Liturgy, Spirituality, and Transpersonal Psychology. To learn more about Brother Don, please visit his website at: www.jungianchristiandialogue.com |
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WHEN: This hybrid workshop will be held on Tuesday, August 4, 2026 from 9AM to 5PM. |
WHERE: This hybrid workshop will be held at St. Francis Springs Prayer Center, 477 Grogan Road, Stoneville, NC |
REGISTRATION: To register, please complete the form below.
Registration closes end of day on July 24, 2025.
Registration closes end of day on July 24, 2025.
FEES and PAYMENT:
In Person Attendee: $175.00
Virtual Attendee: $125.00
Recording Viewing Only: $115.00
($10 Discount for World on Fire Alumni and Emmaus Center Members)
All attendees will receive viewing access of the recorded workshop for three months following the workshop. Access to the recording will be provided approximately two weeks after the date of the workshop.
To pay online, please scroll down and follow the online prompts.
To pay via paper check, please make your check payable to Emmaus Center for Spirituality and mail it to Emmaus Center for Spirituality, 9935-D Rea Rd., #507, Charlotte, NC 28277 and indicate Summer Workshop in the memo portion of your check.
If you would like to make an additional donation to support the mission of the Emmaus Center or World on Fire, you may do so at the time of your payment.
In Person Attendee: $175.00
Virtual Attendee: $125.00
Recording Viewing Only: $115.00
($10 Discount for World on Fire Alumni and Emmaus Center Members)
All attendees will receive viewing access of the recorded workshop for three months following the workshop. Access to the recording will be provided approximately two weeks after the date of the workshop.
To pay online, please scroll down and follow the online prompts.
To pay via paper check, please make your check payable to Emmaus Center for Spirituality and mail it to Emmaus Center for Spirituality, 9935-D Rea Rd., #507, Charlotte, NC 28277 and indicate Summer Workshop in the memo portion of your check.
If you would like to make an additional donation to support the mission of the Emmaus Center or World on Fire, you may do so at the time of your payment.
Pay Online Below
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
- Registration fees are per person. Any materials provided to you are for your own personal use and we ask that you do not share them.
- All materials presented in this retreat are copyrighted.
- A refund less processing fees is available if you cancel prior to June 30, 2026.
- In lieu of a refund, please consider making a donation to the Emmaus Center or World on Fire.
Fall 2026
Registration Closes: October 1, 2026
A Silent Retreat Weekend
November 6 - 9, 2026
November 6 - 9, 2026
A SILENT RETREAT WEEKEND
Sponsored by the Emmaus Center for Spirituality held at St. Francis Springs Prayer Center, Stoneville, NC
ABOUT THE RETREAT WEEKEND:
This is a silent retreat for individuals who are ready for an abbreviated retreat experience and/or who would like to try a silent retreat for the first time in a shortened version. This year we have extended the retreat for an additional evening in response to feedback we have received from our attendees. This means that the retreat will encompass three evenings versus two evenings, which allows for a deeper settling into the silence.
To benefit from this retreat experience, it is helpful to have an appreciation for and comfort with being in complete silence. The goal is to be open to the silence and how God may move with you in this time.
There are trained, experienced spiritual directors available on Saturday for any retreatant who wishes to avail themselves of this ministry. More about this opportunity will be explained in the orientation meeting at the retreat. The retreat is open to anyone regardless of religious affiliation.
This is a silent retreat for individuals who are ready for an abbreviated retreat experience and/or who would like to try a silent retreat for the first time in a shortened version. This year we have extended the retreat for an additional evening in response to feedback we have received from our attendees. This means that the retreat will encompass three evenings versus two evenings, which allows for a deeper settling into the silence.
To benefit from this retreat experience, it is helpful to have an appreciation for and comfort with being in complete silence. The goal is to be open to the silence and how God may move with you in this time.
There are trained, experienced spiritual directors available on Saturday for any retreatant who wishes to avail themselves of this ministry. More about this opportunity will be explained in the orientation meeting at the retreat. The retreat is open to anyone regardless of religious affiliation.
WHAT IS IT? HOW DOES IT WORK?
WHAT DO I DO? WHAT ARE MY COMMITMENTS?
WHAT IS A SILENT DIRECTED RETREAT?
HOW DOES THIS RETREAT WORK?
WHAT DO I DO DURING A SILENT RETREAT?
WHAT ARE THE RETREATANT'S COMMITMENTS?
WHAT DO I DO? WHAT ARE MY COMMITMENTS?
WHAT IS A SILENT DIRECTED RETREAT?
- A silent retreat takes place in complete silence, as the name suggests. When Jesus sent his disciples out, he told them to take nothing with them for the journey for he knew there was nothing they would need except to be open to the Spirit. The same is true for a silent retreat. During this time, you allow yourself to detach from your normal life routines and rituals and willingly submit to the silence of the retreat. This means you will intentionally let go of communications and connections (no emails, texts or phone calls) for the duration of the retreat in order to be in and experience the silence. In doing so, you commit that you will enter the silence completely and not engage with the “outside world”; rather, you will focus on what the silence brings you and what you notice happening with and to you in it.
HOW DOES THIS RETREAT WORK?
- Retreatants will arrive on Friday and check in starting at 3pm. After settling into your room, dinner will be at 6pm in the main dining room. This will be the only meal during the retreat where we will not observe silence. After dinner, retreatants will attend an orientation meeting about the retreat. In this meeting, we will discuss the retreat schedule, what to expect during the retreat, discuss silence during meals and the availability of spiritual direction for retreatants. After orientation, you will enter the silence until the conclusion of the retreat on Sunday.
WHAT DO I DO DURING A SILENT RETREAT?
- One of the most important points of making a silent retreat is to accept the invitation to move away from the culture of “doing”. In a retreat time, you may suddenly notice how tired you are, so you may engage in things like resting, listening, watching, simply being still in body and spirit or enjoying the outdoors, sitting or walking in nature, visiting the outdoor chapel, walking the labyrinth, etc. We discourage you from bringing a book or books to read for the retreat. That is not experiencing the silence, which is the point of giving yourself this time.
WHAT ARE THE RETREATANT'S COMMITMENTS?
- The retreatant commits to enter and observe the silence, to let go of outside communication and to be open to how the movement of the Divine may occur during the time of sacred silence.
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WHEN:
Friday, November 6, 2026 Check In: 3:00PM Dinner: 6:00 PM Retreat Begins: 7:00PM Monday, November 9, 2026 Retreat Concludes: 11:00 AM [following breakfast and closing session] |
WHERE:
St. Francis Springs Prayer Center 477 Grogan Road Stoneville, NC. 37048 336-573-3761 [email protected] |
REGISTRATION: To register please click here
COST: $400 (includes accommodations, meals, retreat and spiritual direction)
COST: $400 (includes accommodations, meals, retreat and spiritual direction)
REGISTRATION/ACCOMMODATION QUESTIONS:
For questions regarding accommodations, email St. Francis Springs at: [email protected] or call (336) 573-3751
For questions regarding accommodations, email St. Francis Springs at: [email protected] or call (336) 573-3751
RETREAT QUESTIONS: For questions regarding retreat, email: [email protected]
WHAT ABOUT SPIRITUAL DIRECTION?
The opportunity to meet with an experienced, trained spiritual director is often made available to retreatants. Spiritual direction is an ancient ministry in which one who is formed and experienced as a director accompanies another on their spiritual journey. The opportunity for spiritual direction will be available on Saturday. You will be able to meet with an experienced spiritual director and speak about what is moving with you, what you are noticing, or what questions may be surfacing as you experience the silence. The director will listen, may ask or pose questions, may make observations, etc. Spiritual direction is confidential and takes place in a safe setting.
The opportunity to meet with an experienced, trained spiritual director is often made available to retreatants. Spiritual direction is an ancient ministry in which one who is formed and experienced as a director accompanies another on their spiritual journey. The opportunity for spiritual direction will be available on Saturday. You will be able to meet with an experienced spiritual director and speak about what is moving with you, what you are noticing, or what questions may be surfacing as you experience the silence. The director will listen, may ask or pose questions, may make observations, etc. Spiritual direction is confidential and takes place in a safe setting.
DONATIONS
Donations to support the mission of the Center are appreciated. Click the icon below to make a donation.
Donations to support the mission of the Center are appreciated. Click the icon below to make a donation.
SPRING ~ 2025 [event closed]
For God so loved the world that He gave his only son…
~ John 3:16
~ John 3:16
WHAT: You are invited to participate in a six-week Lenten journey through guided scripture readings, reflection and sharing. This retreat may be made in group format or individual format.
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Group Retreat Option 6 consecutive Wednesday mornings Time: 10:00AM until 11:30AM Dates: 3.12, 3.19, 3.26, 4.2, 4.9 and 4.16 |
Individual Retreat Option 6 consecutive one-hour weekly meetings at agreed upon times with the director |
WHERE: Virtually Via Zoom
REGISTRATION: To register, please complete the form below.
Registration closes end of day on February 28, 2025.
Registration closes end of day on February 28, 2025.
FEES and PAYMENT: The suggested fee for the retreat experience is as follows:
Group Retreat - $30.00 [6 sessions]
Individual Retreat -$60.00 [6 sessions]
To pay online, please scroll down and follow the online prompts.
To pay via paper check, please mail your payment to: Emmaus Center for Spirituality, 9935-D Rea Rd., #507, Charlotte, NC 28277 and indicate Lenten Retreat (group or individual) in the memo portion of your check.
If you would like to make an additional donation to support the mission of the Center, you may do so at the time of your payment.
Group Retreat - $30.00 [6 sessions]
Individual Retreat -$60.00 [6 sessions]
To pay online, please scroll down and follow the online prompts.
To pay via paper check, please mail your payment to: Emmaus Center for Spirituality, 9935-D Rea Rd., #507, Charlotte, NC 28277 and indicate Lenten Retreat (group or individual) in the memo portion of your check.
If you would like to make an additional donation to support the mission of the Center, you may do so at the time of your payment.
Pay Online Below
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
- Registration fees are per person. These materials are for your own personal use and we ask that you do not share them.
- All materials presented in this retreat are copyrighted.
- A refund less processing fees is available if you cancel prior to February 28, 2025.
- In lieu of a refund, please consider making a donation to the Emmaus Center for Spirituality
RETREAT GUIDES:
- Your retreat guides are spiritual directors trained in Ignatian spirituality who have made similar retreats.
- Your group retreat guide on Wednesday mornings will be Karen Scully.
- Your individual retreat guide will be: Eileen Crusan or Ann Hatton [meeting dates/times will be arranged mutually after registration].
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Please review the following information to see if this retreat might be for you.
Please review the following information to see if this retreat might be for you.
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WHAT IS A GUIDED IGNATIAN RETREAT: This type of retreat is one in which the retreat leader prepares materials consistent with the season or theme (in this case Lent) which are then provided to each retreatant. These materials serve as the focus of prayer and reflection for the duration of the retreat. The retreat is based on the spirituality of St. Ignatius in that it is based on Scripture, the contemplation of it and noticing the movement of the Spirit with you accordingly.
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HOW DOES A GROUP GUIDED RETREAT WORK: Participants who prefer a group environment will meet as a group with a trained spiritual director once a week for 1.5 hours for the duration of the retreat. You will be provided with materials for each week of the retreat. At the first meeting, there will be a brief orientation, review of the group covenant and time for questions. The first few days of the retreat will also be discussed.
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HOW DOES AN INDIVIDUAL GUIDED RETREAT WORK: Those who wish to make an individual guided retreat will meet with a trained spiritual director, at a mutually agreed upon day/time, once a week for 1 hour for the duration of the retreat. You will be provided with materials for each week of the retreat. The first meeting will orient you to the retreat and address any questions you may have.
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WHAT ARE THE RETREAT COMMITMENTS: As a participant in the retreat, you commit to pray consistently at least 30 minutes each day with the materials provided for the day and meet once a week in the retreat format you have chosen [individual or group].
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FEES: $320. This fee include accommodations and meals for the weekend, retreat materials and spiritual direction.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
Registration fees are per person. These materials are for your own personal use and we ask that you do not share them.
All materials presented in this retreat are copyrighted.
A full refund is available if you cancel prior to July 15, 2024.
In lieu of a refund, please consider making a donation to the Emmaus Center for Spirituality
Registration fees are per person. These materials are for your own personal use and we ask that you do not share them.
All materials presented in this retreat are copyrighted.
A full refund is available if you cancel prior to July 15, 2024.
In lieu of a refund, please consider making a donation to the Emmaus Center for Spirituality
About Our Presenter:
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Elizabeth Liebert SNJM, Ph.D. is A Roman Catholic Sister of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary who earned her doctorate in Religion and Personality at Vanderbilt University. She has spent over thirty years offering resources to future leaders of the church to help them understand and deepen their own spiritual grounding and to extend their ministries of spiritual nurture and care of their congregations and other ministries.
In addition to establishing formal courses of study in Christian spirituality and Ignatian discernment, Elizabeth has authored and co-authored several highly affirmed books on spiritual disciplines including The Spiritual Exercises Reclaimed: Uncovering Liberating Possibilities for Women, 2nd Edition, Way of Discernment: Spiritual Practices for Decision Making and Soul of Discernment: A Spiritual Practice for Communities and Institutions |
WHAT:
You are invited to participate in a seven-week Lenten journey through guided scripture readings, reflection and sharing. This retreat may be made in group or individual format (please scroll down for helpful information).
You are invited to participate in a seven-week Lenten journey through guided scripture readings, reflection and sharing. This retreat may be made in group or individual format (please scroll down for helpful information).
WHERE:
Virtually via Zoom
Virtually via Zoom
WHEN:
Group Retreat Options:
Group Retreat Options:
- 7 consecutive Tuesday evenings
- 7:00 PM until 8:30PM
- February 13, February 20, February 27, March 5, March 12, March 19, March 26
- 7 consecutive Wednesday mornings
- 10:00AM until 11:30AM,
- February 14, February 21, February 28, March 6, March 13, March 20 and March 27
- 10:00AM until 11:30AM,
- Individual Retreat Option
- 7 consecutive weekly meetings at agreed upon times with retreatant and director
RETREAT GUIDES:
- Your retreat guides are spiritual directors trained in Ignatian spirituality who have made similar retreats.
- Your group retreat guide will be: Karen Scully, Tuesday Evenings or Antoinette Enohmbi, Wednesday Mornings.
- Your individual retreat guide will be: Annie Gray [meeting dates/times will be arranged mutually after registration].
REGISTRATION: Registration for this Event is Closed
To register, please complete the form below and indicate your retreat preference: Morning Group Retreat, Evening Group Retreat or Individual Retreat. Please register by February 9, 2024.
To register, please complete the form below and indicate your retreat preference: Morning Group Retreat, Evening Group Retreat or Individual Retreat. Please register by February 9, 2024.
FEES & PAYMENT:
The suggested fee for the retreat experience is as follows:
To pay online, please see below and follow the online prompts. To pay via paper check, please mail your payment to: Emmaus Center for Spirituality, 9935-D Rea Rd., #507, Charlotte, NC 28277 and indicate Lenten Retreat in the memo portion of your check.
The suggested fee for the retreat experience is as follows:
- Group Retreat - $30.00 [7 sessions]
- Individual Retreat -$50.00 [7 sessions]
To pay online, please see below and follow the online prompts. To pay via paper check, please mail your payment to: Emmaus Center for Spirituality, 9935-D Rea Rd., #507, Charlotte, NC 28277 and indicate Lenten Retreat in the memo portion of your check.
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HOW DOES AN INDIVIDUAL GUIDED RETREAT WORK?
Those who wish to make an individual guided retreat will meet with a trained spiritual director, at a mutually agreed upon day/time, once a week for 1 hour for the duration of the retreat. You will be provided with materials for each week of the retreat. The first meeting will orient you to the retreat and address any questions you may have. |
WHAT ARE RETREAT COMMITMENTS?
As a participant in the retreat, you commit to pray consistently at least 30 minutes each day with the materials provided for the day and meet once a week in the retreat format you have chosen [individual or group]. QUESTIONS
Contact Karen Scully at [email protected]. |
Do you desire to take a time out to detach yourself from the world?
Are you longing for a place to find rest?
Are you longing for a place to find rest?
We invite you to consider this abbreviated silent retreat weekend hosted by the Emmaus Center for Spirituality. You can enjoy the silence by walking, resting and finding time alone on the beautiful grounds of St Francis Springs Prayer Center. Bring a journal to record what you may discover as you listen in the silence of how God may be speaking to you. If you choose, you can meet with a spiritual director during the retreat to discuss what you have discovered.
To benefit from this retreat experience, it is helpful to have an appreciation for and comfort with being in complete silence. The goal is to be open to the silence and how God may move with you in this time.
There are trained, experienced directors available on Saturday for any retreatant who wishes to avail themselves of this ministry. More about this opportunity will be explained in the orientation meeting at the retreat. There is no extra fee for meeting with a director; this time is included as a part of your registration.
Scroll below for additional information to help you discern if you are being called to enter the sacred silence. You will also find detailed information regarding registration, accommodations, questions, etc.
To benefit from this retreat experience, it is helpful to have an appreciation for and comfort with being in complete silence. The goal is to be open to the silence and how God may move with you in this time.
There are trained, experienced directors available on Saturday for any retreatant who wishes to avail themselves of this ministry. More about this opportunity will be explained in the orientation meeting at the retreat. There is no extra fee for meeting with a director; this time is included as a part of your registration.
Scroll below for additional information to help you discern if you are being called to enter the sacred silence. You will also find detailed information regarding registration, accommodations, questions, etc.
WHAT IS A SILENT DIRECTED RETREAT?
A silent retreat takes place in complete silence, as the name suggests. When Jesus sent his disciples out, he told them to take nothing with them for the journey for he knew there was nothing they would need except to be open to the Spirit. The same is true for a silent retreat. During this time, you allow yourself to detach from your normal life routines and rituals and willingly submit to the silence of the retreat. This means you will intentionally let go of communications and connections (no emails, texts or phone calls) for the duration of the retreat in order to be in and experience the silence. In doing so, you commit that you will enter the silence completely and not engage with the “outside world”; rather, you will focus on what the silence brings you and what you notice happening with and to you in it.
HOW DOES THIS RETREAT WORK?
Retreatants will arrive on Friday and check-in at 3pm. After settling into your room, dinner will be at 6pm in the main dining room. This will be the only meal during the retreat where we will not observe silence. After dinner, retreatants will attend an orientation meeting about the retreat. In this meeting, we will discuss the retreat schedule, what to expect during the retreat, discuss silence during meals and the availability of spiritual direction for retreatants. After orientation, you will enter the silence until the conclusion of the retreat on Sunday.
WHAT DO I DO DURING A SILENT RETREAT?
One of the most important points of making a silent retreat is to accept the invitation to move away from the culture of “doing”. In a retreat time, you may suddenly notice how tired you are, so you may engage in things like resting, listening, watching, simply being still in body and spirit or enjoying the outdoors, sitting or walking in nature, visiting the outdoor chapel, walking the labyrinth, etc. We discourage you from bringing a book or books to read for the retreat. That is not experiencing the silence, which is the point of giving yourself this time.
WHAT ARE THE RETREATANTS' COMMITTMENTS?
The retreatant commits to enter and observe the silence, to let go of outside communication and to be open to how the movement of the Divine may occur during this sacred time of silence.
Past Offerings
Continuing Education Series: Resistance In The Director
The Emmaus Center is sponsoring this virtual continuing education offering on Resistance In The Director. In this workshop, we will explore the notion of resistance in a spiritual director, how it manifests and how it may impact the relationship with the directee. This workshop will involve lecture, small group discussions, reflection and time for questions and answers. James M. Bowler, SJ will be our presenter.
This offering will be recorded for those that cannot attend on the day of the event. The recording will be available for two months after the event for all those who have registered. The link for viewing will be sent out to all registered participants.
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The Enneagram and Spiritual Direction ~ A Virtual Workshop for Spiritual Directors and Supervisors Training Completed - Registration Closed
Engaging the Enneagram in spiritual direction and supervision, including:
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Supervisory Training For Spiritual Directors
Offered by Together in the Mystery Training Completed - Registration Closed The Emmaus Center for Spirituality is pleased to sponsor an important program being offered on the East coast for spiritual directors. If you are an experienced spiritual director serving in the ministry of direction and sense a call to serve as a supervisor of spiritual directors, we would encourage you to explore the Together in the Mystery Program. This is a well-established supervisory training program in partnership with San Francisco Theological Seminary. |
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If you have any questions or need additional information about Emmaus Center for Spirituality programs/events listed above, please email us i[email protected]m or call us at 980-505-5342.