Retreats and Programs
-
-
Villa Pauline Retreat and Spiritual Center
offers a variety of retreats and programs
to lay women and men, religious women and men and priests
desiring to deepen their relationship with God.Scroll down for information on our programs and retreats in the sections below or you can download a flier with registration form for each program by clicking on the title in the list below.
Summer, 2025 Summer Retreats
For more information about programs or to register for summer retreats, please call Sister Joseph (973)919-9874.Please make checks payable to:
Villa Pauline Retreat and Spiritual Center.Online Program Registration Print Retreat Registration (PDF) Program and retreat registrations are
non-transferrable/non-refundable.Online Retreat Registration Print/Fill Retreat Registration (Word)
-
-
-
-
The Truth Will Set You Free
Five Day Preached Retreat
Mallinkcrodt Convent
Rev. Dennis J. W. O'DonnellRegister Now! Donation: $500 or see links near top of page for downloadable forms.
The Truth Will Set You Free
Ordained in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia in May 1974, Fr. Dennis O’Donnell is currently the Director of Integrated Health Services at Holy Redeemer Hospital. From 1989 to 2006, Fr. O'Donnell served as the Rector and Spiritual Director at St. Joseph in the Hills, the Malvern Retreat House in Pennsylvania. He conducts weekend retreats and days of recollection for many different groups (seniors, married couples, faculty, and students) as well as retreats for religious, clergy, and parish missions throughout the USA.
Fr. O'Donnell is a board member and co-founder of Amigos de Jesús, a home and bilingual school in Honduras for 130 children and young adults. Fr. O'Donnell's love for the 'least of us' has been the driving force behind Amigos de Jesús. Father travels at least four times a year to Honduras where he spends time with the children.
Father O’Donnell will help retreatants reflect on the fact that there are many kinds of “freedom” - what “Freedom” does Jesus Christ command us to? What is The Way (not “a” way) to this Freedom? If TRUTH frees us then what shackles us? What choices do we need to make today?
-
-
-
The human person is created...
Six Day Preach Retreat
Villa Pauline Retreat & Spiritual Center
Rev. James Croghan, SJRegister Now! Donation: $600 or see links near top of page for downloadable forms. Fr. Jim Croghan, S.J. entered the Jesuits in 1974 and has been an ordained Catholic priest since 1985. He currently serves as the superior of the Jesuit Community at Boston College High School in the city of Boston and regularly celebrates Mass at Christ the King Parish in Reading, MA and the Massachusetts Correctional Institution in Framingham, MA, the state prison for women.
Over the last forty years Fr. Croghan has worked primarily in a variety of roles in Jesuit secondary education, mostly in the islands of Micronesia, but more recently at Regis High School (NY), Xavier High School (NY), and now BC High. He has served in the areas of classroom teaching, school administration and governance, mission and identity, and faculty and staff formation.He has extensive experience in pastoral and sacramental ministry, spiritual direction, adult faith formation, and Ignatian spiritualty and pedagogy. In addition to a variety of preached retreats Fr. Croghan has directed the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises in both the 30-day and 19th annotation (“retreat in everyday life”) formats.A graduate of St. Peter’s Prep in Jersey City, Fr. Croghan earned his undergraduate degree from Fordham University (BA, philosophy) and graduate degrees in theology (M.Div. and S.T.L.) from the Weston School of Theology and a masters in education (Ed.M.) from Harvard University.Using the opening words of the Principle and Foundation of the Spiritual Exercises as springboard Fr. Croghan will help us will take a deep dive into who we are as creatures immersed in a world of abundant creative love.
-
-
-
Six-Day Directed Retreat
Villa Pauline Retreat and Spiritual Center
Rev. Anthony Ciorra, Sr. Carol Makravitz, Sr. Teresa SkierkowskiCANCELLED
Donation: $700 
Rev. Anthony Ciorra is not new to the SCCs. In the summer of 2024 he preached two retreats, one at the Motherhouse and one at Villa Pauline. He is a leading expert on Christian Spirituality. He holds graduate degrees in psychology, spirituality and pastoral theology. He earned his PhD in Historical Theology from Fordham University. Currently he is Assistant Vice-President for Mission and Catholic Identity at Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, CT His professional experience ranges from parish life and preaching to teaching and administration, to retreat work and formation ministries. In addition he give workshops and retreats throughout the world. Father Ciorra is a member of Voluntas Dei US, a secular institute whose members strive to live the will of God in the present moment 
Sister Carol Makravitz, SCC is a member of the Villa Pauline Spiritual irection and Retreat Team. As a well-known spiritual director, director of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola and 19th Annotation of the Exercises, Sister brings with her direction various gifts and insights in prayer and the spiritual life. Sister is a member of the Spiritual Directors International. 
Sister Teresa Skierkowski, SCC is also a well-known member of the Villa Pauline Spiritual Direction Team and past director of the former Quellen Spiritual Center. A member of Spiritual Directors International, Sister has presented day programs, Lenten programs, seasonal reading groups and facilitated the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius through the years at Villa Pauline.
-
-
-
Becoming Alive in Christ or
The Main Thing is to Keep the Main Thing the Main Thing
Six Day Preached Retreat
Villa Pauline and Spiritual Center
Rev. Ron Hoye, CMRegister Now Donation: $600 or see links near top of page for downloadable forms. Fr. Ron Hoye, CM, has been leading parish missions on and off for more than 10 years. He has taught Business Ethics at DePaul University in Chicago, been heavily involved in youth and young adult programs across the country and continues his interest and involvement in Leadership and Evangelization Outreach. His missions blend humor, story, sacrament and spiritual reflection in a presentation that appeals to all ages.
This retreat presents a practical, “how-to” approach in living our lives as disciples of Christ. Our relationship with Jesus is the main thing, not just as vowed religious, but as sons and daughters of our loving God. But how do we live that? As individuals and church? As members of the same community? What are some practical ideas and things that can easily be incorporated into the routines of life to assure the main thing stays the main thing? Filled with stories and humor this retreat begins and ends in Scripture. Five topics are addressed and expanded: • Gratitude • Prayer • Service • Forgiveness • Witness
-
-