Welcome to our adult faith page for retreat and discernment offerings! You can scroll down the page for information about:

• Retreat Centers & Opportunities
• Spiritual Directors in the Diocese of Des Moines

For more information on these and other opportunities here at St. Boniface and in the Des Moines area, contact Faye Akers in the Faith Formation Office at (515) 987-4597 or [email protected]

Retreat Centers & Opportunities

Emmaus House

Emmaus House is an oasis of quiet in the midst of the busyness of life. Located in Urbandale, IA, Emmaus offers to people of all faiths wonderful spiritual resources, including spiritual direction, retreats, days of recollection, and presentations. For more information visit https://www.theemmaushouse.org/ 

Creighton University Retreat Center

The Creighton University Retreat Center fosters an active prayer life, allowing for deeper conversion and relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ. Consistent with our Jesuit tradition and Ignatian heritage, we offer individual and group retreats. The Creighton Retreat Center is located just outside Griswold, Iowa. For more information, visit the website at https://www.creighton.edu/ministry/retreatcenter/

St. Thomas More Center

The Saint Thomas More Center serves the Diocese of Des Moines by offering retreats and a host facility for youth and young adults. It is primarily known as the home of the Catholic Youth Camp. The Saint Thomas More Center is located on Lake Panorama in Iowa. For more information, visit the website at https://www.theemmaushouse.org/ 
 

Spiritual Directors in the Diocese of Des Moines

Spiritual direction is “help given by one Christian to another which enables that person to pay attention to God’s personal communication to him or her, to respond to this personally communicating God, to grow in intimacy with this God, and to live out the consequences of the relationship.” (William A. Barry and William J. Connolly, The Practice of Spiritual Direction)

Click here for a list of spiritual directors in the Diocese of Des Moines.

The Welcome Weekend Experience at St. Boniface is for all adults ages 21 and older. The weekend schedule is Saturday 8am - 12 Midnight and Sunday 7am - 3pm. You are highly encouraged to sleep overnight here at the parish. Cots are provided, just bring a sleeping bag, pillow and overnight toiletries. Those with health, family, or other situations are able to go home overnight and return early Sunday morning.

Registration

Please note that our parish does not currently have a Welcome Weekend Experience scheduled. We are currently running the Alpha Course for adults. Please visit our Alpha page at this link.

What is Welcome?

Welcome is an experience that helps you discover what's missing in your life —and what to do about it! Welcome weekends are run by parishioners for parishioners, and are re-energizing parishes across the country. To find out more, visit the Welcome website at this link. 

Why should I attend?

To be inspired. Who am I? What am I here for? What matters most? What matters least? Welcome puts a framework around these questions. You'll get personal clarity and be inspired to start living with a deeper sense of purpose.

To build community. We all have a deep desire to feel like we belong—to feel welcome in our parish. The Welcome weekend experience is an opportunity to build meaningful and lasting relationships with others.

To help build a dynamic, life giving parish. It's impossible to separate personal transformation from the transformation of a parish. When your life is changed through Welcome, our parish will also be transformed!

Welcome Weekend Experience Support

Women's Weekend Support 

Prayer Support. Click here to sign up for one hour of prayerful support during the Women's Welcome Weekend.

Kitchen Support. Click here to sign up to help in the kitchen during the Women's Welcome Weekend.

Food Support. Click here to sign up to donate food for the Women's Welcome Weekend.

Men's Weekend Support 

Prayer Support. Click here to sign up for one hour of prayerful support during the Men's Welcome Weekend.

Kitchen Support. Click here to sign up to help in the kitchen during the Men's Welcome Weekend.

Food Support. Click here to sign up to donate food for the Men's Welcome Weekend.

Questions?

For more information, contact Faye Akers at (515) 987-4597 or [email protected]