From the Desk of Father Jason - June 21, 2026

Dear Saint Francis Xavier Parishioners,

This past week, I was on the priest retreat for the Diocese of Green Bay. All the active Diocesan priests were on the retreat. That retreat was at the Green Lake Conference Center. This is the only retreat house like facility that can accommodate all the active priests of the Diocese at once. It was a preached retreat.

Starting on Monday June 29 through Wednesday July 1, I will be on another priest retreat. This one is on the Holy Spirit. Rather than being for all the Diocesan priests, it is being offered in a more limited fashion. I felt that as your shepherd I need to be more in touch with God the Holy Spirit in addition to God the Father and God the Son, to whom I am already close. I see this retreat as a terrific opportunity. It is being held at the Norbertine Center for Spirituality and is also a preached retreat.

What is a spiritual retreat? A spiritual retreat is a time away from normal life to seek spiritual enrichment. Retreats come in many different formats. Some are silent, some are not silent. Some retreats are led by a single preacher and others are directed individually by a spiritual director. Some are over the weekend, others are longer.

As a priest, I am required to have at least one retreat a year.

Are spiritual retreats appropriate for non-priests? Yes!

We are blessed with two superb retreat facilities in the Diocese of Green Bay.

Nearer to us is the Norbertine Center for Spirituality that is located within St. Norbert Abbey. The NCS is also where I go for monthly confession and spiritual direction.

Farther away is Jesuit Retreat House just south of Oshkosh. I have been on several retreats at this facility.

I recommend both of facilities. Make sure to check them out online and maybe consider a retreat for yourself.

Sincerely through Jesus,

Fr. Jason