How aware are we of God’s presence in the midst of our lives and the places that we find ourselves on a regular basis? For centuries, Celtic Christianity has encouraged slowing down our activity and reconnecting with God through contemplation, engagement with the natural world, and attentiveness to time and space.

The Congregational Retreat Society is offering an opportunity to cultivate deeper faith and spirituality through engagement with Celtic Christianity at its upcoming Silent Retreat, led by Retreat Guide Rev. Ashton McDonald, Senior Minister of the First Congregational Church of Emporia, Kansas. Rev. McDonald describes himself as “a pastor, author, Celt, and spiritual nomad whose journey through darkness, loss, and awakening led him beyond rigid doctrine and into a loving experience of the presence of God.” Further, he has been “shaped by contemplative spirituality, Celtic Christianity, and the transformative power of divine love” and “his work seeks to help others encounter God not merely as an idea to believe in, but as a reality to be experienced.” He is the author of Experiencing the Rhythm of the Sacred Week: A Celtic Inspired Prayer Book for Daily Living, and he is a 2026 recipient of the J. J. Russell Preaching Award by the NACCC.

For the first time in over six years, the Congregational Retreat Society will be hosting this two-night Silent Retreat in person at the Manresa Jesuit Retreat House, 1390 Quarton Road, in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, the evening of Sunday, November 1, through the morning of Tuesday, November 3, 2026.

This being the 100th anniversary of the founding of Manresa, Manresa’s Communications Director JoAnn Amicangelo recently summarized the theme that is at the heart of their mission. She writes in the Spring/Summer 2026 edition of Manresa Matters, “Sacred encounters are the fruit of our Mission to help people deepen their relationship with God through Ignatian spirituality. People ‘come and see,’ and they find God in the silence, in quiet moments of prayer and meditation…As we celebrate our centennial, I hope and pray that you will find your own sacred encounters here—moments of grace, stillness and renewal that will stay with you long after you leave” (pg. 2). Manresa offers ample grounds for walking, spaces for sitting near the Rouge River, and an outdoor labyrinth available for use for reflection.

The cost for lodging (private room, shared bath) and five meals is $200.00, and pre-registration by October 15, 2026, is required, including a completed form.

Please email Dr. Charles Packer (drcapacker@gmail.com) if you are interested in attending, and he will be glad to send you a form with more detailed information.

Where: Manresa Jesuit Retreat House, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

When: November 1-3, 2026

Led By: Rev. Ashton McDonald

Cost to Attend: $200

Registration Deadline: October 15, 2026

Contact: Dr. Charles Packer