5.0
Verified
Great gathering
It was wonderful being together
Making Room for the Light: An Advent day of reflection inspired by the writings of Richardson.
Making Room for the Light: An Advent day of reflection inspired by the writings of Richardson.
5.007 reviews
13475 Proctor Rd, Philadelphia, PA 19116, USA
December 8, 2026
About this Retreat
Your Guides
Margie Winters loves to accompany others on their spiritual journeys, finding joy in helping others see God’s presence and Mercy in their lives. She brings with her experience in pastoral ministry, faith formation of adults and children, campus ministry, music ministry and spiritual direction. For many years, Margie taught in Mercy elementary and secondary education, inviting students and teachers to experience God in themselves and one another and with those on the margins. Her own journey was touched deeply by her time as a lay missionary serving the community of San Antonio de Padua in the Dominican Republic and by her work at Project HOME where the stories of those experiencing homelessness deepened her compassion and taught her the power of creating communal spaces of mercy and love. At Cranaleith, Margie will serve as Director of Programs, facilitating retreats, working with community partners and offering spiritual accompaniment. She is overjoyed to return home to Mercy!
Margie holds a Masters in Divinity from Weston Jesuit School of Theology, a certificate in spiritual direction from Cranaleith Spiritual Center, and degrees in nursing and English.
Details of this retreat
Advent is an invitation to pause, to listen, and to make room for the light that is always seeking a place within us.
As the days grow shorter and the world around us becomes increasingly full, this retreat offers a quiet space to step away from the hurry of the season and turn inward. Drawing on the beautiful blessings, poetry, and reflections of Jan Richardson, we will explore the spiritual wisdom of waiting, longing, and hope.
Through contemplative prayer, poetry, guided reflection, silence, journaling, and time on the Cranaleith grounds, we will consider what it means to make room—in our hearts and in our lives—for the light of Advent. What are we being invited to release? What is waiting to be born? Where is hope quietly taking root?
Advent reminds us that light does not always arrive dramatically. Sometimes it comes gently, almost unnoticed—a small flame in the darkness, a moment of tenderness, a new possibility, a deeper awareness of love.
Come, listen for the light.
No previous experience with contemplative practice is necessary. All are welcome.
As the days grow shorter and the world around us becomes increasingly full, this retreat offers a quiet space to step away from the hurry of the season and turn inward. Drawing on the beautiful blessings, poetry, and reflections of Jan Richardson, we will explore the spiritual wisdom of waiting, longing, and hope.
Through contemplative prayer, poetry, guided reflection, silence, journaling, and time on the Cranaleith grounds, we will consider what it means to make room—in our hearts and in our lives—for the light of Advent. What are we being invited to release? What is waiting to be born? Where is hope quietly taking root?
Advent reminds us that light does not always arrive dramatically. Sometimes it comes gently, almost unnoticed—a small flame in the darkness, a moment of tenderness, a new possibility, a deeper awareness of love.
Come, listen for the light.
No previous experience with contemplative practice is necessary. All are welcome.
Getting Here
Cranaleith, 13475 Proctor Rd, Philadelphia, PA 19116, 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.
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
Making Room for the Light
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
Meals at Cranaleith nourish your body and soul! Enjoy delicious meals that suit all diets.
Customer Reviews
Verified
5.0
Verified
24 Hour Silent Retreat
Cranaleith is my very favorite place to go for retreats. The facility is peaceful and the staff are excellent. Meals are generous and delightful. A great experience all around.
5.0
Verified
April Retreat for Women Veterans
5 stars
5.0
Verified
Peaceful Retreat Setting
I've been bringing groups of students to Cranaleith for retreats for over 10 years now....and we will keep coming back! The staff is always so welcoming, the food nourishes my body and soul, and as soon as I step foot on the grounds I feel at peace. I highly recommend Cranaleith for their own retreat offerings and programs, as well as, a place to bring your work or school group to!
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.
Last Chance