From Soldier to Saint
Men’s Retreat
Take your faith to the next level.
Learn from the life of Saint Francis and Saint Paul.
Let their examples guide your journey from ‘soldier to saint’ .
Catholic Conference Center
August 6-8, 2021
Powerful Preaching
1st conference: Redirected Zeal
Saul was a righteous man and a militant pursuer of what he believed in. On the road to Damascus he was struck by lightning, knocked off of his horse, and heard the Lord speak: “Why are you persecuting me?” He heeded the voice. Once the scales fell from his eyes he realized that his zeal was misdirected. His zeal for God never wavered, but he changed from being a persecutor to the premier evangelist of the Church. As you worry about the future and present state of the world, is the Lord asking you to redirect your passion and zeal toward a new, higher purpose?
2nd conference: From Glory to Folly
Saint Francis lived a carefree life and then entered the military to continue a path to glory. On a similar road, a young Francis was riding a horse with all of his dreams for glory dashed. It was in meeting a leper and embracing him that Francis’ mission came into focus and he finally learned the meaning of life. The Lord spoke to Francis from the cross of San Damiano and his life and the lives of many in the world changed forever. How might the Lord be speaking to you, and calling you from what you previously thought was your path to glory to an entirely new way of thinking and living?
3rd conference: Preach at all times
Both Saint Paul and Saint Francis were powerful preachers of the gospel. Paul shaped the face of Christianity by his tireless passion for the Gospel. Francis drew many to Christ by modelling a counter-cultural lifestyle, and doing it with great joy. What can a man of today’s modern culture learn from the drastically different preaching styles of Saint Paul and Saint Francis? How can a man live out the oft quoted phrase attributed to Saint Francis: “Preach the gospel at all times, and if necessary, use words.”?
4th conference: Put on the Armor of God
To go ‘from soldier to saint’, a man needs to clothe himself with the ‘armor of God’. In the end, the struggle is a spiritual struggle. In the words of Saint Paul, this armor includes a ‘belt of truth’ and a ‘breastplate of righteousness’. Saint Francis heeded these words with ‘shoes ready to proclaim the gospel of peace.’ The armor ultimately comes from God. Learn ways to receive the grace to take your life to the next level – from a faithful soldier to a living saint.
Exceptional Retreat Atmosphere
Indoor and outdoor reflection areas
In addition to the conferences, there will be plenty of time to pray and reflect upon the words and upon God’s plan for you. For those who prefer doing this in a sacred space, there is a beautiful chapel and several indoor and outdoor reflection places. For those who are more active, there are trails cut through our 180 acres. The more ambitious can take a short drive or long hike to Baker Mountain Park. Added to the outdoor space, there is a horseshoe pit, a bonfire, and even some corn-hole boards.
Nicely appointed rooms and fine dining
The lodging rooms were fully renovated in 2015. Each room has two full-sized beds and a private bath. Our dining area has a full-time chef who has experience preparing high-end meals in various parts around this world. The dining room has also been recently renovated, and has a 100% sanitation rating. The meeting room has cathedral ceilings and spectacular views.
Grace-filled encounters
For those who want to immerse themselves into the retreat, there will be several scheduled hours of adoration, as well as time for confession with a priest or spiritual direction with an experienced director/counsellor. To break the ice, the retreat will begin with a social before dinner, where participants can bring a beverage of their choice.
A Retreat Schedule Just for You
| Friday, August 6 | |
| 4:00 PM | Check-in, call ahead if you need an earlier check-in |
| 5:30 PM | Reception |
| 6:30 PM | Dinner |
| 7:30 PM | 1st Conference: Redirect your Zeal |
| 9:00 PM | Free Time |
| Saturday, August 7 | |
| 7:00 AM | Adoration and Benediction |
| 8:00 AM | Breakfast |
| 9:00 AM | 2nd Conference: From Glory to Folly |
| 10:30 AM | Free time, spiritual accompaniment |
| 12:00 PM | Lunch |
| 1:00 PM | 3rd Conference: Paul and Francis: Preachers of the Gospel |
| 2:30 PM | Confession, spiritual accompaniment, Free time |
| 6:00 PM | Dinner |
| 7:00 PM | 4th Conference: Putting on the Armor of God |
| 8:30 PM | Free time |
| Sunday, August 8 | |
| 7:00 AM | Adoration and Benediction |
| 8:30 AM | Holy Mass |
| 10:00 AM | Closing brunch |
Meet your Retreat Master
Born and raised in Buffalo, N.Y., Father Peter Tremblay attended Franciscan University of Steubenville and joined the Franciscan Friars after graduating. He received a master’s of divinity from Washington Theological Union in Washington, D.C., and has been an ordained Catholic priest since 2012. He has taught philosophy and theology, ministered in parish settings, and led powerful retreats at the center in the past. An excellent preacher and a Franciscan, he is perfectly suited to guide men from being ‘soldiers to saints’ using the life examples of Saints Francis and Paul.
Sorry, registration is closed.
The registration for the retreat includes two overnight stays, full-course meals from Friday to Sunday brunch, retreat fees. Stipends for spiritual directors will come from donations. The commuter option includes all of the above except the overnight option. The retreat price is as follows:
Commuter options available: $135 per person.
Single, one person per room: $300 per person *
Double, two persons per room: $235 per person *