Haverford, Philadelphia, United States
July 7 - 14, 2026
About this Retreat
Buff has been offering spiritual direction to individuals and groups since 2004. She completed a certificate training at Oasis Ministries in Camp Hill, PA, and subsequently completed a Master's degree in Holistic Spirituality and Spiritual Direction at Chestnut Hill College.
Buff is part of the spiritual direction ministry at Wayne Presbyterian Church and St. David's Episcopal Church, both in Wayne. She also offers spiritual direction to folks at Salt & Light Church in southwest Philadelphia. In spiritual direction sessions, she is continually amazed at the ways the Holy Spirit meets folks where they are, blessing them with new insights and understandings as well as encouragement and love.
Buff lives in Wayne with her husband, James. Together, they are grateful to have a son and three daughters as well as six wonderful grandchildren!
Sister Jean Marie Pisula is a Sister of the Holy Family Of Nazareth, who just recently returned from 26 years of missionary service in the Philippines.
Her Masters degree in Spirituality at Creighton University and her studies and practicum at the Ignatian Spirituality Center in the Philippines have helped her to do ministries like Bible Studies, Religious Life and Teacher Formation, Spiritual Direction, Directed Retreats, and Family Ministry.
Ignatius’ Principal and Foundation of experiencing God’s unconditional love is inspirational to her and in accord with Nazareth’s charism and mission of Extending the Kingdom of God’s love.
Catherine Soley is a Religious of the Assumption who has been involved in the ministry of spiritual direction for about 10 years. She has a certificate from the Jesuit Retreat Center in Guelph, Ontario and in 2023 completed the Spiritual Director Internship Initiative program. Catherine has also directed members of her congregation on retreat. Catherine holds a BFA in painting from Tyler School of Art and pursued theological studies at Assumption University in Worcester, MA. She currently resides in West Philadelphia, PA.
Sister Carmen Cabrejos is a Handmaid of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Born in Peru, she has lived in the United States since 1986, in Miami, Athens and Atlanta GA, Philadelphia, and is coming back to Haverford. She has worked in Hispanic ministry, adult faith formation, work with the homeless and Spiritual Direction. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Theology from Villanova University and a Master’s degree in Pastoral Ministry from Boston College. She was trained in spiritual direction at Mercy Center in Colorado and Thomas University in Miami. She is experienced in giving spiritual direction in both English and Spanish and done some superstition for persons training to be spiritual companions or Spiritual Direction. She is very happy to offer her services at St. Raphaela Center.
Sr. Carmen can provide direction in English and Spanish.
Details of this retreat
A directed retreat at St. Raphaela Center is a time of quiet in order to enhance attentiveness to God’s voice within you and in your life. A reverent silence is maintained throughout the Retreat Center at all times including during meals. Each retreatant meets with his/her director daily for approximately 45 minutes. Each director possesses the necessary skills to guide their directees compassionately and peacefully, allowing them to listen to God’s voice and to journey closely with their loving God, both within the retreat setting and going forth into their daily lives. The number, nature and length of periods of formal prayer each day will depend upon the ability and needs of the individual and will be determined in conversation with the director. Retreatants are provided suggested scripture passages tailored to their own prayer. Ideally retreatants will have some experience in meditative prayer, the desire to enter into prolonged silence, and sufficient self-awareness to recognize their own inward movements. All retreatants have the opportunity for daily liturgy and reconciliation.
Cost: $650 -$750 (depending on room choice)