Staff Changes at White House

Our good friend and colleague Fr. Eugene Renard, S.J. has been reassigned.  Effective July 1, 2015, Fr. Renard will be living and working at Jesuit Hall in St. Louis. 

Fr. Renard has been in Ministry at White House since July 2009.  He was ordained in 1960.  We wish him well as he begins this next chapter and will certainly miss seeing him on a daily basis. He has always been a joyous and inspirational member of our team .

Later in July, two Jesuits are coming to White House from Kansas City, MO.   Both have been guest directors, leading retreats at White House for several years.

Fr. James Blumeyer, S.J. comes to us after having served for several years as the Assistant Director at the Ignatian Spirituality Center.  He was ordained in 1963.

Fr. Joseph Laramie, S.J. comes to us after serving as the Director of the Pastoral Dept. and Vocation Promoter at Rockhurst High School.  He was ordained in 2011.

Both Fr. Blumeyer and Fr. Laramie are originally from St. Louis.

Weekend Reflections for 5/29/25

 May 31, 2015

Holy Trinity Sunday 

 In Matthew's gospel for Holy Trinity Sunday, Jesus' final words to his apostles are: "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.  And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age."

To develop a relationship with God, we must be baptized.  Baptism is a cleansing with water.  A person is either immersed in water or water is poured over the person.  This cleanses a person of Original Sin and those, who are no longer babies, from all personal sins.  We are all baptized in the name of the Father, and in the name of the Son and in the name of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Trinity.

Sanctifying Grace, the Divine Life of the Father is implanted in the soul at baptism.  Jesus, the Son of God, redeemed the whole world, and saved each of us, by offering up his life and dying on the cross.  Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit continually sends us gifts and graces to strengthen us in life's journey.  Baptism frees one of sins and unites us to our one God, who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE ON RETREAT THIS WEEK AS WELL AS OUR DECEASED RETREATANTS.

You are invited to join us at White House on Sunday June 7th at 4pm for our annual memorial service.  We will be honoring those retreatants who passed away during 2014.  The event will take place in our chapel.

PLEASE PRAY FOR PEACE IN OUR COMMUNITY  

Need a retreat?

We have 2 co-ed retreats coming up!

Both begin on a Friday night and conclude Sunday afternoon.  The start dates are June 5th and September 4th.  

Women's Retreat Info

Women's retreats with space begin on: 9/14, 10/5, 10/19, 11/12, 11/16 and 1/1.

Men's Retreat Info

Men's retreats with space begin on 6/22, 6/25, 7/9 and 7/30.

Weekend Reflections for 5/22/15

 May 22, 2015

Pentecost

God the Father created this vast universe and every human person.  Jesus, God's Son redeemed the human race and continues to sanctify the human race through the sacraments.  Today we celebrate the descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles.  The Easter Season ends with Pentecost.  The Holy Spirit guides, inspires and strengthens the Church leaders and its members.  The Holy Spirit gives the Church 7 gifts: wisdom, understanding, knowledge, counsel, piety, fortitude and fear of the Lord.  The Spirit shares 12 gifts with us: charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, self-control and chastity.

It is the Holy Spirit who guides the Church especially its leaders.  We know that the Church began as a very small group of apostles and has grown larger through all the centuries.  The Holy Spirit inspires each of us to reach out and bring the Good News of Salvation to our friends, neighbors, enemies and everyone we encounter.

This is the age of the Holy Spirit who strengthens us, motivates us and empowers us to bring the Good News of Salvation to the world.

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE ON RETREAT THIS WEEK AS WELL AS OUR DECEASED RETREATANTS.

PLEASE PRAY FOR PEACE IN OUR COMMUNITY  

Need a retreat?

We have 2 co-ed retreats coming up!

Both begin on a Friday night and conclude Sunday afternoon.  The start dates are June 5th and September 4th.  

Women's Retreat Info

Women's retreats with space begin on: 9/14, 10/5, 10/19, 11/12, 11/16 and 1/1.

Men's Retreat Info

Men's retreats with space begin on 5/28,6/22, 6/25 and 7/9.

Call 314-416-6400 or 1-800-643-1003

Weekend Reflections for 5/15/15

Feast of the Ascension 

During times of war, many men and women volunteer to serve our country by enlisting.  Many others are drafted into the military.  Wives, husbands, sons and daughters are deeply missed at home and everyone prays for their safe return.

We are living in a world where a spiritual war between good and evil are in conflict.  In the mystery of Jesus' Ascension into heaven, Jesus physically left this world but his spirit, his love and his courage remains with us.  We must ask Jesus to help us fight evil.  Jesus wants us to continue his mission of saving a sinful world.  While we do not experience Jesus in his human nature, his spirit is truly with us, strengthening us to continue his work, the work of the Church.

From heaven Jesus can strengthen our faith and inspire each of us to carry on his mission.  We are all called to live our faith courageously and to help one another find salvation in the Catholic Church.

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE ON RETREAT THIS WEEK AS WELL AS OUR DECEASED RETREATANTS.

PLEASE PRAY FOR PEACE IN OUR COMMUNITY 

We have 2 co-ed retreats coming up!

Both begin on a Friday night and conclude Sunday afternoon.  The start dates are June 5th and September 4th.  To register for either, call 314-416-6400.

Women's Retreat Info

Women's retreats with space begin on: 9/14, 10/5, 10/19, 11/12, 11/16 and 1/1.

Men's Retreat Info

Men's retreats with space begin on 5/28,6/22, 6/25 and 7/9.

Weekend Reflections for 5/8/15

Love One Another

The gospel reading for the 6th Sunday of Easter proclaims God's love for us and our love for others. We know that God created us because he loves each of us. God gives us gifts and talents, everything we have: a body and soul, an intelligent mind, understanding, ability to solve problems, a compassionate heart and much more. Jesus said: "Love one another as I have loved you."

Jesus wants us to share our gifts with others: friends, neighbors, even enemies. Our prayers, our support and our forgiveness of others reflect our love for others. Jesus showed us his love by offering his life for us on the cross to save each of us.

Growing spiritually is a life-long journey that never ends until we enter heaven. Each day of our life we want to ask ourselves: "How can I love my neighbor today?"

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE ON RETREAT THIS WEEK AS WELL AS OUR DECEASED RETREATANTS.

PLEASE PRAY FOR PEACE IN OUR COMMUNITY

We have 2 co-ed retreats coming up!
Both begin on a Friday night and conclude Sunday afternoon. The start dates are June 5th and September 4th. To register for either, call 314-416-6400 or visit the "REGISTER" page on this site.

Women's Retreat Info
Women's retreats with space begin on: 9/14, 10/5, 10/19, 11/12, 11/16 and 1/1.

Men's Retreat Info
Men's retreats with space begin on 5/14, 5/28,6/22 and 6/25.

Weekend Reflections for 5/1/15

  May 1, 2015

The Vine and its Branches 

In the gospel for the 5th Sunday of Easter, Jesus is teaching his disciples.  Jesus invites his disciples to help him bring salvation to the whole world.  Jesus also invites us to do the same.

Jesus tells us that the branches of the vine produce much fruit.  The vine does not produce grapes, but the branches produce grapes.

Jesus in heaven shares with us his life, his love and the work of salvation.  So we, like branches, share his love with others and the Good News of Salvation.  As Jesus inspired the apostles to go out and announce the Good News, so today Jesus inspires us to reach out and reflect the Good News by living our faith.

But if we detach ourselves from Jesus, we will be like worthless and dead branches to be destroyed and burned.

Let us rejoice and be grateful that Jesus calls and invites us to proclaim the good news of salvation to the world.  The resurrected Jesus can fill us with his peace, joy, love and hope.  Let us share these gifts with others. 

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE ON RETREAT THIS WEEK AS WELL AS OUR DECEASED RETREATANTS.

PLEASE PRAY FOR PEACE IN OUR COMMUNITY  

We have 2 co-ed retreats coming up!

Both begin on a Friday night and conclude Sunday afternoon.  The start dates are June 5th and September 4th.  To register for either, call 314-416-6400.

Women's Retreat Info

Women's retreats with space begin on: 9/14, 10/5, 10/19, 11/12, 11/16 and 1/1.

Men's Retreat Info

Men's retreats with space begin on 5/14, 5/28,6/22 and 6/25.

Weekend Reflections for 4/24/15

In the Preface of each of the Masses during Easter time there is a phrase that attracts one's attention: "overcome with paschal  joy."  In the ordinary course of daily living, even in the Easter season, what could this mean for us? The scripture readings for this Sunday provide a picture that answers that question.

Jesus is our shepherd. We are God's children now. His resurrection has opened the way to a higher awareness of who we are and who God is. By God's plan Jesus has brought us out of the pain and agony of self-consciousness, with its guilt-ridden sense of responsibility --and has led us into a peace and joy that opens us  to a new state of being: the state of knowing we are loved by God and loving God in return,  of seeing  God in every event and at every moment.

A shepherd's love takes on the task of bringing the sheep to where they belong; the sheep (if they could know as we know) will only need to follow the One who lays down his life and takes it up again. To embrace this truth is to enter into being "overcome with paschal joy!"

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE ON RETREAT THIS WEEK AS WELL AS OUR DECEASED RETREATANTS.

PLEASE PRAY FOR PEACE IN OUR COMMUNITY 

We have 2 co-ed retreats coming up!

Both begin on a Friday night and conclude Sunday afternoon.  The start dates are June 5th and September 4th.  To register for either, call 314-416-6400.

Women's Retreat Info

We have a weekday women's retreat with space available beginning on Monday May 4th.  The director of this retreat will be Fr. Len Kraus, S.J. 

Other women's retreats with space begin on: 9/14, 10/5, 10/19, 11/12 and 11/16.

Weekend Reflections for 4/17/15

Jesus came to two of his  disciples on the road to Emmaus and brought them out of despair into joy and hope. They then went to the others--in a locked room--and told them " Jesus is alive!" But it took a visit from Jesus himself to bring them to believe that he was with them. He had to show them his wounds and feed them in order for them to believe that his presence was real, his love was deep.

On Holy Thursday of 2014 Pope Francis visited  some young people in prison washed and kissed their feet. When he came through those locked doors his message and his appearance was like that of the risen Jesus.  His words and his actions were meant to proclaim that our wounds, even our guilt, never keep Jesus  away. In fact--as with the disciples in Jerusalem, the prisoners in Italy-- Jesus can hardly wait to be with us--and to share love and life and joy.  And Jesus can hardly wait to see us do the same for one another

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE ON RETREAT THIS WEEK AS WELL AS OUR DECEASED RETREATANTS. 

PLEASE PRAY FOR PEACE IN OUR COMMUNITY  

We have 2 co-ed retreats coming up!

Both begin on a Friday night and conclude Sunday afternoon.  The start dates are June 5th and September 4th.  To register for either, call 314-416-6400 or visit www.whretreat.org

We also have a weekday women's retreat with space available beginning on Monday May 4th.  The director of this retreat will be Fr. Len Kraus, S.J. 

Weekend Reflections for 4/10/15

 April 10, 2015

When, out of fear, the disciples had locked themselves in the upper room, what might they have expected to happen? They didn't expect to see Jesus, it seems. But, as in every resurrection account in the Gospels, Jesus comes to them! He comes through locked doors with forgiveness and love. All he wishes for them is peace and "blessed assurance!"

When, out of fear of whatever afflicts us, we don't know what to expect, we can always remember that Jesus shows us his glorious wounds-- those wounds that heal us and bring life and hope. God's mercy is stronger than anything in the world, and we need to know that. And to rejoice in that knowledge!

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE ON RETREAT THIS WEEK AS WELL AS OUR DECEASED RETREATANTS.

PLEASE PRAY FOR PEACE IN OUR COMMUNITY 

Weekend Reflections for 3/27/15

The Passion of Christ

" ... Body of Christ, save me. Blood of Christ, inebriate me. Water from the side of Christ, wash me. Passion of Christ, strengthen me." (Spiritual Exercises)

Every year on Palm Sunday we hear proclaimed one of the four Gospel versions of Jesus' suffering and death. On Good Friday it is always John's version. It's an awful, horrible picture of Innocent Love tortured and killed by the power of darkness and evil. Jesus' mission seems to have come to a disastrous end. He has failed miserably. Ignatius wants us to look at this scene with the eyes of faith. When we do, we see God revealed as perfectly Forgiving Love. As Richard Rohr writes, "For us, Jesus did not come to change the mind of God about humanity but to change the mind of humanity about God." (Immortal Diamond)

What Jesus suffers is a source of strength for us because the crucifix is always a reminder of God's unconditional love for each of us, His beloved. The Risen Jesus' Easter banner always reads: Love is stronger than death.

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE ON RETREAT THIS WEEK AS WELL AS OUR DECEASED RETREATANTS. 

PLEASE PRAY FOR PEACE IN OUR COMMUNITY 

 OUR EASTER APPEAL IS UNDERWAY!

We are asking for your financial support to renovate sleeping rooms in Snyder Hall.

You can read more about this and donate online HERE.

 You can also mail a check to:
White House Retreat

7400 Christopher Dr.

St. Louis, MO 63129

UPCOMING RETREATS WITH OPENINGS:

Men-4/1, 4/16, 4/20

Women- 5/4, 5/21, 7/23

Co-Ed 2-day retreats- 6/5, 9/4

We also have 2 co-ed recovery retreats this summer.

These both run from Thursday evening to Sunday afternoon.

The start dates are June 18th and August 13th.

Weekend Reflections for 3/20/15

A Hard but Extraordinary Lesson

"Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life." Jn 12:24-25

We know that if we plant a grain of wheat and the conditions are right, it will produce a stalk with a head of many more grains. As Jesus embraces his death on the cross, his self-emptying love produces the harvest of beloved sons and daughters of the Father, the entire human family. When we die to our ego and selfishness as Jesus models, we are free to love and affirm another. When you come home from work, tired and frazzled, and your spouse or child asks for a little (or a lot!) of your time and attention, there's some dying involved in a positive response. In the Gospels there are so many parables and teachings about the necessity of giving away what we already have before we can receive more. It's always that way with love!

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE ON RETREAT THIS WEEK AS WELL AS OUR DECEASED RETREATANTS. 

PLEASE PRAY FOR PEACE IN OUR COMMUNITY   

UPCOMING RETREATS WITH OPENINGS:

Men-4/1, 4/16, 4/20

Women- 3/23 (this coming Monday, starts at 11:30am), 5/4, 5/21

Co-Ed 2-day retreats- 6/5, 9/4

We also have 2 co-ed recovery retreats this summer.

These both run from Thursday evening to Sunday afternoon.

The start dates are June 18th and August 13th.

Weekend Reflections for 3/13/15

The Promise and Pledge

"God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life." Jn 3:16

This is the foundational text for many Christians. You may have noticed signs at NFL games reading, "Jn:3-16". It's a forthright statement of God's love for all of humanity and His gift of His Son, Jesus Christ, who invites us to faith that we might live with Him forever. To believe in Him as Lord is to enter into an awareness of the relationship He has already begun with each of us, His sisters and brothers. We can look at our crucified Brother and recognize our Father perfectly revealed as Forgiving Love. We are also challenged to see our sisters and brothers throughout the world who are crucified by poverty, hunger, persecution and injustice. The Church draws our attention and focus to them in a special way during the Lenten season, asking not only for our prayers but also our acts of kind solidarity with them. What can I do for them in my own little part of the world?

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE ON RETREAT THIS WEEK AS WELL AS OUR DECEASED RETREATANTS.

PLEASE PRAY FOR PEACE IN OUR COMMUNITY 

UPCOMING RETREATS WITH OPENINGS:

Men-4/1, 4/16, 4/20

Women- 3/23, 5/4

Co-Ed 2-day retreats- 6/5, 9/4

We also have 2 co-ed recovery retreats this summer.

These both run from Thursday evening to Sunday afternoon.

The start dates are June 18th and August 13th.

Weekend Reflections for 3/6/15

The Father's House

"Jesus made a whip out of cords and drove them all out of the temple area, with the sheep and oxen, and spilled the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables, and to those who sold doves he said, 'Take these out of here, and stop making my Father's house a marketplace.'" Jn 2:15-16

The Jewish Temple authorities cooperated with their Roman oppressors and perverted the purpose and experience of entering God's dwelling among them. It had been a house of prayer where His children could again experience His love for them and the sinner know His compassion and forgiveness. Now it had become a place to barter and haggle, to cheat and extort, especially from the poor. Love and mercy now had a high price. Jesus knew that his Father's generosity had no limit, no price tag. His words and actions will be authenticated in his resurrection.

We are now the Father's house, His dwelling among us. We are already living His gift of eternal life. Do I put a price on my love and forgiveness for others? Especially my spouse, my children, friends and co-workers?  What do I expect or even demand in return? Or do I freely share what the Father has lavished on me? During this Lent can I at least have a marked-down clearance sale?

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE ON RETREAT THIS WEEK AS WELL AS OUR DECEASED RETREATANTS. 

PLEASE PRAY FOR PEACE IN OUR COMMUNITY  

UPCOMING RETREATS WITH OPENINGS:

Men- 3/12, 4/1, 4/16

Women- 3/23, 5/4

Co-Ed 2-day retreats- 6/5, 9/4

IGNATIAN SPIRITUALITY LECTURE SERIES

Wednesday April 15th with Fr. Chris Collins, S.J.

Click here for more info and registration.

Homeless Recovery Day of Reflection

White House Jesuit Retreat is working alongside St. Patrick’s Center to host our first ever Day of Reflection for homeless men in recovery on next week. About 12 men who are homeless and currently in recovery programs will be brought to the White House Jesuit Retreat campus in South St. Louis County for a full day of lectures, meditation and counseling.

The goal of the event is to help further these men in their recovery process. All of the lectures will be presented by exp...erienced recovery retreat leaders and will focus on the 4th and 5th steps taught in Alcoholics Anonymous. Participants will have time to discuss the day’s teachings with a staff of Jesuit priests and volunteers.

The day will conclude with lunch and a prayer service for all participants before the group is transported back to St. Patrick’s Center.

This event will take place next week. We ask that you keep those participating in your thoughts and prayers. Thank you!

Weekend Reflections for 2/27/15

Transfiguration

"Jesus took Peter, James and John and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white ..." Mk 9:2-3 

Jesus takes his favored three up a mountain to share with them who he truly is, to gift them with a glance of destiny, his and theirs and ours. They see Jesus as he will be after his resurrection, as he will appear to them in the upper room with his greeting of Peace. They never really understood his predictions that he will suffer and die and they will forget this blessed moment when it happens. 

St. Paul also experienced the risen Lord Jesus and he understood and rejoiced. He assures us that God is for us and nothing can keep us from his love. The banner of the Risen Lord reads: Love is Stronger than Death!  As we live these days of Lent, God keeps reminding us that we are his Beloved and we, too, will be transfigured.

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE ON RETREAT THIS WEEK AS WELL AS OUR DECEASED RETREATANTS.

PLEASE PRAY FOR PEACE IN OUR COMMUNITY  

Do you have pictures that you've taken at White House?  Share them on Twitter using the hashtag #whretreat

UPCOMING RETREATS WITH OPENINGS:

Men- 3/12, 3/19

Women- 3/23, 5/4

Co-Ed 2-day retreats- 6/5, 9/4

Weekend Reflections for 2/20/15

LENT

Readings from the 1st Sunday of Lent  

After God destroyed all living creatures with devastating flood waters, God made a covenant with Noah and his descendants.  God promised Noah never again to destroy creation.  The rainbow in the sky was a sign of God's covenant or promise to protect the human family.

In the second reading from St. Peter's letter, Jesus' suffering, death and resurrection to glory is the final and perfect covenant which will endure forever.  In the sacrament of baptism, we are joined to Jesus' death and resurrection, God's covenant with us.  In baptism we receive sanctifying grace by which we share in God's life.

The gospel today tells us how to live our covenant with God in this life.  We are to repent and believe in the gospel.  Lent is a time to repent of our sinfulness and failings of the past and to strengthen our faith in Jesus Christ for the future.  Jesus strengthens us to overcome our sinful past and opens the door to his Father's Kingdom.

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE ON RETREAT THIS WEEK AS WELL AS OUR DECEASED RETREATANTS.

PLEASE PRAY FOR PEACE IN OUR COMMUNITY 

Do you have pictures that you've taken at White House?  Share them on Twitter using the hashtag #whretreat

UPCOMING RETREATS WITH OPENINGS:

Men- 3/12, 3/19

Women- 3/23, 5/4

Co-Ed 2-day retreats- 6/5, 9/4

Weekend Reflections for 2/13/15

LOVE

God is Love.  God/Love is infinite and unlimited.  But we live in an imperfect, limited and finite world which God created.  Our goal is to reach God and be united with him who is love.

How do we grow in love in this created, imperfect world?  We believe that God created every human person because he loves them.  How do we show God our love?  We show God our gratitude and love by obeying Jesus' two commandments: 1) to love God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength and 2) to love your neighbor as yourselves.  To give money to a very poor person, to visit a sick or lonely person, to carry heavy packages for an elderly person are actions expressing love.  We will never love perfectly in this life, but this is the opportunity Jesus gives us.

In heaven we will experience God's infinite love which he will share with us and we will love every human person and every person will love us.

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE ON RETREAT THIS WEEK AS WELL AS OUR DECEASED RETREATANTS.

PLEASE PRAY FOR PEACE IN OUR COMMUNITY 

We are officially launching our Women's Ambassadors Program next month!  These women will serve as volunteer ambassadors for White House and help recruit others to attend retreats.  An informational meeting will be held next month for those interested.  If you are interested in joining this exciting new ministry, please let us know so that we may send you the appropriate information.  Email joep@whretreat.org. 

UPCOMING RETREATS WITH OPENINGS:

Men- 2/19, 3/19, 4/20, 4/30, 5/14, 5/28

Women- 3/23, 5/4, 5/21, 7/23

Co-Ed 2-day retreats- 6/5, 9/4

Weekend Reflection for 1/30/15

Faith

Faith is one of the greatest gifts God has given you and me.  Without faith, we cannot be certain that God exists.  But with faith we know that God exists even though we cannot see, hear or touch him.  Spiritual faith in a God, who keeps us alive and active, is different from natural faith in people and things that support us in this life.  By faith we believe that there is one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  We believe God became man who suffered, died and rose to life so that we could share eternal happiness with him.

We strengthen our faith when we pray the "Our Father" and mean it, or when we offer our pains, disappointments or sickness to our heavenly Father, or when we love and help the poor and needy as Jesus would do.

Jesus said: "Everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven."  When we reach heaven, there will be no need of faith.  For then we will see and experience our loving God who will share Himself with us.

Weekend Reflection for 1/23/15

St Peter Chrysologus, a bishop and early Father of the Church, has a beautiful reflection on our redemption and the coming of Christ that St. John the Baptist heralded and St. Paul proclaimed:  "When God saw the world falling to ruin because of fear, God immediately acted to call it back to himself with love. He invited it by his grace, preserved it by his love, and embraced it with compassion." 

Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God: "This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand." And then he called those first disciples, "Come after me and you will bring in people instead of fish."  Now it is our turn to carry forward the work of the Spirit: to complete His work on earth--and to sanctify all of creation.