Integral Ecology: A Far-Sighted Vision

Name: Integral Ecology: A Far-Sighted Vision
Start: 2026-04-11
End: 2026-04-11
Location: Cranaleith
Rating: 5

5.003 reviews

13475 Proctor Road, Philadelphia, PA, USA

Up to 30 in group

Apr 11, 2026

About this Retreat

Your Guides

Bernadette

Bernadette Rudolph

Bernadette Rudolph, MA, MS is Director of Facilitation and Strategic Partnerships at Cranaleith. She has earned degrees in the liberal arts (BA, St. John’s College, Annapolis), religion and religious education (MA, Catholic University, Washington DC) and educational leadership (MS, Marywood University, Scranton), as well as a certificate in spiritual direction (Cranaleith Spiritual Center, Philadelphia). Bernadette is a visionary thinker whose practical lens leads to results. She is an engaging presenter and creative thought partner. She is committed to welcome, mercy and respectful dialogue. She knows from experience that, if people come together in true partnership, they will find themselves creating lasting solutions no one could have imagined on their own. Secular Expertise: Bernadette has experience in the areas of strategic planning, appreciative inquiry, processing difficult experiences and team building. She has in-depth knowledge of gardening and sustainability, CliftonStrengths, deep listening for communal decision-making, team growth and self-care practices. All of her work in these areas is rooted in compassion, nonviolence and a belief in the power of life. These provide her with an invitational tone that is welcoming, safe and encouraging. Spiritual Expertise: In Bernadette’s current ministry, she facilitates deep listening to God’s Spirit in one-on-one spiritual direction sessions, with teams, parishes and retreat groups. Her ability in leading communal discernment has been enriched by three years of animating synodality around the country. She is a Biblical scholar, who has written reflections on the entire cycle of Sunday readings and has taught many courses on the Bible. Bernadette has also led retreats on a variety of themes, including spiritual practices, eco-spirituality, hope, resilience, the Mercy charism, racial healing and handling adversity. Bernadette has been a volunteer teacher on the Navajo Reservation, a middle school and high school teacher of literature, religion and math, a pastoral minister in a parish setting, a K-8 principal, adjunct faculty at several universities and the Director for Family and Community Development for the Diocese of Scranton. Bernadette is a certified spiritual director and member of Spiritual Directors International. She also has served on the board of the National Association for Lay Ministry and currently chairs its Standards and Formation Committee. Bernadette enjoys hiking with her husband John, long talks, feeding people delicious food and creating colorful gardens with plenty of tomatoes.

Deep within us all, there is an amazing inner sanctuary of the soul, a holy place, a Divine center, a speaking Voice to which we may continually return. Eternity is at our hearts, pressing upon our time-worn lives, warming us with intimations of an astounding destiny, calling us home unto Itself.

Thomas R. Kelly, Testament of Devotion

Details of this retreat

When we speak of the “environment,”
what we really mean is a relationship
existing between nature and the society which lives in it...
We are faced not with two separate crises, one environmental and the other social,
but rather with one complex crisis which is both social and environmental.
Pope Francis, Laudato Sì, 139
One of the brilliant insights of Pope Francis’ watershed document on the environment, Laudato Sì, is that the pain of the planet is intertwined with the suffering of human beings. Easy answers are not enough; in fact they almost always exacerbate the climate crisis. We intuit this when we feel anxious or overwhelmed by climate change.
Pope Francis explains that this complex problem requires a complex solution. He proposes a multifaceted solution called Integral Ecology. This involves:

the interplay of the environment, economics and society
cultural ecology
the ecology of everyday life
the principle of the common good
justice between generations

In involving all these facets as we build solutions, we become capable of creating plans far-sighted enough to address climate change effectively.

Let a day of reflection on Integral Ecology “take us to the heart of what it is to be human” (Laudato Sì, 11). We will unpack the facets of integral ecology through input from Bernadette, reflection, discussion, prayer, poetry, letter writing to future generations and song. We will return to the wellspring of Goodness and Love, so that we can plan creatively for the future.

We will spend time outside, weather permitting so please dress appropriately. You may wish to bring sunblock and bug spray, as well as a journal. Cranaleith is committed to sustainability, so we encourage you to bring a reuseable beverage bottle.

Schedule

Lunch is included.

Note: Schedule is approximate and may change

Getting Here

Cranaleith, 13475 Proctor Road, Philadelphia, PA, USA

Directions

By Car:
From I-95: Take Woodhaven Road exit (Route 63 WEST) almost to the end, to where it narrows to one lane. Turn left onto Evans Street. At slight, turn right onto Byberry Road for approximately ONE mile to Proctor Road. Turn RIGHT and continue for 1/8 mile and Cranaleith will be on the RIGHT. From Roosevelt Boulevard: If coming North, turn LEFT onto Southampton Road (If coming South on Route 1, make a RIGHT on Southampton). Continue on Southampton Road for ONE mile to Worthington Road (stop sign). Turn LEFT on to Worthington Road, continue for ONE block to Napier Street. Turn RIGHT and proceed for THREE blocks to Proctor Road. Turn RIGHT onto Proctor Road and then make an immediate RIGHT into Cranaleith’s driveway. From PA Turnpike: Exit at #351 (Bensalem Exit). Go SOUTH on Route 1. Immediately after the Street Road Exit and Andy’s Diner, the lanes divide. Be sure to stay in the far RIGHT lane. When you come to the intersection of Southampton Road, turn RIGHT. Continue on Southampton Road for ONE mile to Worthington Road (stop sign). Turn LEFT onto Worthington Road, continue for ONE block to Napier Street. Turn RIGHT and proceed for THREE blocks to Proctor Road. Turn RIGHT onto Proctor Road and then make an immediate RIGHT into Cranaleith’s driveway.

PROBLEM WITH GOOGLE DIRECTIONS: If you are coming from the PA Turnpike, online directions automatically send you onto Street Road/132W after exiting the Turnpike and heading down Route 1 South. Many people mistakenly go East on Street Road. And others miss the subsequent Trevose Road turn because it isn’t properly marked. It’s much easier to avoid Street Road by staying on 1 South (in the right-hand lane) until Southampton Road, where you make a right. Then make a left on Worthington, a right on Napier and a right on Proctor.

By Train:
From the city (University City, 30th St. Station, Suburban Station, Market East, etc.), take the West Trenton commuter train to SOMERTON. From the station walk LEFT on Edison Avenue for two blocks. Crossover Trevose Road and then RIGHT onto Proctor Road. Cranaleith will be on the LEFT. Transportation from the station may be arranged.

By Bus:
From the Frankford Terminal, take No. 58 bus up Bustleton Ave. to Byberry Road. Walk EAST on Byberry Road for two blocks to Proctor Road. Turn LEFT onto Proctor Road and proceed for 1/8 mile. Cranaleith will be on the RIGHT.

By Plane:
From Philadelphia International Airport, take the airport train to 30th Street Station, and transfer to the R3 — West Trenton Commuter Train to SOMERTON. From the station walk LEFT on Edison Avenue for two blocks. Crossover Trevose Road and then RIGHT onto Proctor Road. Cranaleith will be on the LEFT. Transportation from the station may be arranged.

Accommodation

Program Price includes lunch

Venue & Amenities

A/C in Rooms

Free Wifi

Spa

Sauna

Pool

Towels

Free Parking

Kitchen

Tour Assistance

Hot Tub

Coffee/Tea

Cafe

Restaurant

Fitness Center

Yoga Studio

Housekeeping

Bicycles For Rent

Meals

Menu Types

Vegan

Vegetarian

Pescetarian

Ayurvedic

Includes Meat

Organic

Gluten Free

Dairy Free

Nut Free

Lunch is provided.

What's Included

Lunch and program.

What's Not Included

Transportation
Airfare

Customer Reviews

5.00 out of 5.0 average rating

Jesse • Jul 02, 2022

5.0

Verified

7 Day Individually Directed Silent Retreat

This was my second 7 day retreat at Cranaleith, in addition to ongoing individual spiritual direction since 2014. I recommend the sisters at Cranaleith for their compassionate and insightful direction. If you are looking to spend time in the serenity of God and nature, it is a worthy destination.

Patricia • Jun 25, 2022

5.0

Verified

Silent Retreat (7) Days

Excellent event

Nuala • Jun 25, 2022

5.0

Verified

A Lovely Week

Space, quiet, time -- a strong sense of whole-ness throughout. Happy to be with others who longed for those same things and respected that wish in everyone else.

Very nice meals, lovingly and cheerfully prepared, many of the ingredients from the garden on the property. (Maybe a bit too much kale, though! :))

A knowledgeable and kind director.

I felt free and very welcome. Thanks very much for this week.

Sr. Nuala Cotter, RA

Integral Ecology: A Far-Sighted Vision

About this Retreat

Your Guides

Bernadette Rudolph

Details of this retreat

Schedule

Getting Here

Directions

Accommodation

Venue & Amenities

Meals

Menu Types

What's Included

What's Not Included

Customer Reviews

Jesse • Jul 02, 2022

7 Day Individually Directed Silent Retreat

Patricia • Jun 25, 2022

Silent Retreat (7) Days

Nuala • Jun 25, 2022

A Lovely Week

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