All events are in Phoenix, Arizona timezone.
Arizona does not participate in Daylight Saving Time, if you live outside AZ, please google or use the link below to find the time zone conversion for your location.
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Compassion: A Reflection on the Christian Life Book Discussion
A weekly – 5 week book discussion
Begins Wednesdays, April 30, 2025
Location: Zoom – Online
Compassion is at the core of Christian Life and Spiritual Leadership. Join us for a book discussion on the book “Compassion – A Reflection on the Christian Life” by Donald McNeill, Douglas Morrison and Henri Nouwen. Compassion is a book that says no to a compassion of guilt and yes to a compassionate love that pervades our spirit and moves us to action. The three main questions that informed the book are “How does compassion manifest itself? How is Compassion disciplined? and how is compassion lived out in the life of the gospel?
Come join the SFSAZ staff as we discuss this attribute that informs and transforms our lives with God.
April 30 – Introduction and Chapter 1
May 7 – Chapters 2 & 3
May 14 – Chapters 4 & 5
May 21 – Chapters 6 & 7
May 28 – Chapters 8 & 9
Cost: Free (donations accepted)
Good Friday – Camino de Phoenix Walk
April 18, 2025 // 7a start
Location: Walk begins at Cross Roads United Methodist Church (7901 N Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85020) and ends at Canaan in the Desert (9849 N 40th St, Phoenix, AZ 85028).
“Pilgrimages are not about one place being more holy than another, for God is everywhere. Making pilgrimages involves a response to something inside us that longs to move toward, that seeks the holy beyond.” – Father Murray Bobo
Join us as we pilgrimage together contemplating Good Friday. We will end at Canaan in the Desert where you will be able to finish by walking through the prayer garden featuring the stations of the cross.
The walk is approximately 9 miles and will end around 11am.
Visit the Camino de Phoenix website for more information and a map of the walk.
Led by: the SFSAZ Team
Cost: Free
Living Into the Truth of God’s Extravagant Love
Friday, April 25 – 4:00pm to Sunday, April 27, 2025 – 1:00pm
Location: Franciscan Renewal Center – Scottsdale, AZ
A Contemplative Retreat
In the words of A.W. Tozer: “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” Given that our view of God is the critical foundation upon which we build and live our lives, it is essential that our view of Him aligns with the true nature of who He actually is. By opening ourselves to the gracious work of the Holy Spirit through participation in guided meditations, prayer, silence, solitude, journaling, and writing a Beloved Charter, retreatants will begin to experience a shift in their view of God to one which is more benevolent, loving, and life-giving. Optional spiritual direction sessions will also be offered.
Led by: Roger L. Parks, Psy.D (friend of the SFSAZ)
Cost:
Single Rooms Only – $300 includes meals and lodging.
(No commuter rate available for this retreat and no SFSAZ memberships available for this retreat)
Nurturing Non-Anxious Presence in Life and Ministry
May 13, 2025 // 9a-3p
Location: Franciscan Renewal Center – Scottsdale, AZ
Almost all of us have experienced times when we’ve been drawn away from loving presence with others. Anxious ways of being (often undetected or unrecognized in the moment) can become our default as we encounter everyday situations and relationships. In our ministries, this can shape our approach and lead to burn out. On this soul care day, we will explore the invitation of Christ to non-anxious presence, identify our own anxious ways, and learn what it means to nurture a non-anxious life in Christ. Teaching, spacious time to personally reflect and pray, discussion, and sharing will all be a part of the day.
Led by: Ted Wueste, John DelHousaye, and the SFSAZ Team
Cost:
Regular Registration $46
General Membership $42
Professional & Full Membership $39
Lunch and materials included in cost.
Praying the Hours: an introduction to Benedictine spirituality
June 14, 2025 // 8a-10a (11a-1p EST)
Location: ONLINE
Benedict of Nursia (480-547), the author of the famous “Rule”, approached the Christian day as a flow between “prayer and work” (ora et labora), allowing for distinction but not separation, as the apostle Paul requires us to “pray without ceasing” while “working with our hands.” This workshop, led by John Delhousaye, will introduce you to the seven hours of prayer and how God uses our time together to transform work into vocation.
Led by: John DelHousaye
Cost: Free – donations appreciated
Silent Prayer Retreat
July 21-25, 2025
Location: Prince of Peace Abbey – 650 Benet Hill Rd, Oceanside, CA 92058
Need a quiet space to rest? Perhaps you’d like to set a rhythm of retreat. Come away and rest with Jesus in prayer. Join a small group for a five day silent prayer retreat near the Pacific coast at beautiful Prince of Peace Abbey. We will gather for a short opening together and set off in silence and come together to close the time.
All rooms are single rooms. All materials and meals are included in the cost. Transportation to the retreat center is not included in the cost.
Cost:
Regular Registration $695
General Membership $625
Professional & Full Membership $590
Refund Policy
In-person events: 30 days or more prior to event: 100%, 14-29 days before event: 90%, 7-13 days before event: 60%, 1-6 days before event: 30%
No refunds available after an event.
Ongoing Contemplative Prayer Offerings
Be/Still
Contemplative Prayer Group
Taizé Prayer
Other Offerings
Renew
Renew: individual private retreats designed by our SFSAZ team to fit who you are and where you are in your life with God. Retreats include accommodations and meals at a retreat center as well as time with a Spiritual Director and Pastoral Counselor to help process all that you are experiencing as you spend time with God. Retreats can be anywhere from 2-5 days. Let us know and we can consult with you in designing a retreat. Great for times of discernment, transition, and/or simply needing the space to reflect and be renewed in your life with God and the ministry to which He has called you.
Please fill out this form to initiate the process https://sfsaz.breezechms.com/form/0f32fd
FORMATIO: the art of caring for souls
A two-year cohort journey in learning the art of soul care. Based around six retreats, participants will learn to more fully care for their own soul as well as coaching others in the ways and rhythms of Jesus. The art of caring for souls is companioning someone in their journey of experiencing God in awakening to the love of God, growing awareness of self and God, increasing attentiveness to His presence and voice, and abiding in/with God. This invites a lifestyle of intentional practices and rhythms that form us in the image of Christ. Some of those practices include: silence and solitude, prayer and listening, and discernment and detachment in the context of Scripture and community. Click here for more program information.