"This ministry provides support for rest and renewal. Lovely people with space designed to encourage reflection: books, nature, and kitchen for good nutrition.
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Highly Rated Retreats in Lacey Washington
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Types of Retreat in Lacey Washington
Short Retreats in Lacey Washington
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Experiences on Retreat
"Our group from Unity of South Sound enjoyed yet another weekend retreat at The Priory, staying at the retreat center. Janice was great to work with throughout the arrangement of reservations and flexible with us so that we could determine our exact number before finalizing the arrangements. We know the retreat center from prior trips. We each had our own room and shared a well equipped conference room for parts of three days. The kitchen was easy for us to use for breakfast and snacks. We brought our food from The Priory back to the retreat center because some of the Sisters were isolating themselves with a few having Covid but we still enjoyed our healthy meals back in the kitchen. That was convenient and easy for us. The kitchen also allowed some of us to play games and socialize at night after our formal activities were completed. We even engaged in thoughtful conversation with a few others staying at the retreat center for a program with the Sisters as we shared the kitchen table. The weather was cool and brisk but we still enjoyed an outside walking meditation in nature on the beautiful grounds set in a lowland Douglas fir forest. There are roads and sights and even a walking path in the forest."
"The hybrid contemplative rest retreat led by M Freeman is a wonderful opportunity to dive into the benefit of periods of silence in our busy world. The retreat helps participants develop the habit of daily resting in silence and letting peace wash over them like a cleansing stream. These gatherings will take place monthly, and I highly recommend them to help develop a regular practice of contemplative rest."
"I love staying at St Placid Priory. The Sisters are most gracious and hospitable. They work to meet my needs and I feel blessed. My room is quite comfortable and the food most satisfying.
It is a treat to be welcomed to join them for the Daily Office.
I look forward to returning.
thea"
"Our small group really appreciated being able to meet at the Priory Spirituality Center for a five day midweek meditation retreat. We appreciate the full handicap accessible campus, the individual rooms for accommodations, and, most delightfully, the wonderful meals provided. They were obviously prepared with love. Janice went above and beyond to provide for scheduling and welcoming us. And the sisters in the refectory were also very hospitable and friendly. We were all deeply grateful for such a conducive place for us to focus on our meditation practice and do our spiritual work together. We are coming back."
"Quiet, nice people, clean neat room with a comfortable chair and just about enough room to do asanas. Sink in the room, WC and showers just down the hallway. Pretty grounds with a few short walks.
Food fine - (not organic) and not much in the way of cooked greens - mostly starch. However there was a more than adequate salad bar. So no problems there. Recommend fruit instead of dessert since the desserts are extremely sweet. "
"The Priori came highly recommended by my friends at our church. I was not disappointed, as I was on an overnight personal retreat. The sisters were welcoming and Janice at reception was wonderful!! Clean and comfortable room, access to a stocked kitchen and showers. My spiritual direction meetings were blessed! Sr Julian is very calming, great listener and wonderfully in tune with my spirit’s aching. I plan on monthly meetings with her Thanks to all who made this so wonderful!"
"Whether online for spiritual direction or as a participant in various retreats, St. Placid Priory provides a calming option to one's many daily demands. All is thoughtfully prepared: the place, the food, the quiet, and the conversations. It is a good place to connect with one's deepest communal priorities regarding divine love, love of self, and love of others."
"I would highly recommend this class. It was well organized, thought provoking, nourishing, and so relevant for our times. Laura Swan presented the material in such a way that it was understandable and meaningful for a newbie as well as for someone with a theological background. The class was a nice balance between contemplative experience and learning factual information. "
"I initially was interested in this retreat due to the leader, Laura Swan. I am reading her book about the Desert Mothers which I'm finding both well researched and well written. This retreat was similar - well researched and well spoken.
I loved the details and incidents from Howard Thurman's life. An incredibly intelligent man renowned worldwide even if neglected or unknown in his own country.
The pace of the day was excellent with time for coffee, interaction and Laura allowing room for both questions and discussions.
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"I loved the pace of this wonderful retreat/workshop. I loved the poems that Christine offered us, and the prompts she used to evoke meaning and memories. I found myself both energized by the writing explorations, and also calm and focused. Christine has a magical way of doing that. I wrote eleven different poems and/or prose pieces.
My 160 page memoir, VALIANT BE, was published this year, and I wondered if I still had anything left to say. I found that there is LOTS more I want to write. Every day!
Thanks to Christine and to all of you who helped to make this retreat possible. Please have more of them! "
"What a delight it was to experience the Zentangle classes, thank you so much. I enjoyed the time together, and learned some fun new ways to explore my creativity. So much gratitude and appreciation. "
"I loved this online retreat. As always, Christine leads us gently into creativity with some beautiful poems as prompts. I found what she said about the work being process-driven rather than product-driven so encouraging. I shall remember this with all my creative work."
"This was an interesting retreat. Christine used creative techniques to challenge my approach to writing. I would have liked it to go deeper and include more time for some of the exercises. "
"The title of the retreat enticed me to register because personal circumstances and the disturbing world events of the recent past have disturbed my peace and I wanted to explore a new way to reclaim it. I wasn't disappointed. The gentle pace of the weekend coupled with contemplative exercises designed to integrate mind and body have helped me both live into my new circumstances and the challenges of our uncertain society. I highly recommend this retreat it it's offered in the future. "
"I spent an overnight spiritual individual/private retreat at St. Placid. I was looking for a place to encounter God. It was the best decision I made- because I had quiet time to myself in a peaceful environment. The room was simple yet inviting to peace and prayer. A chapel was open with books with window overlooking the forest. Outside stations of the cross provided for me a time to encounter. The sisters were very welcoming , and we had great discussions during dinner together."
"Our small group of regular meditators has been aging, and we looked for a place that we could gather for a week of meditation that could accommodate those of us who do not do stairs as well as we used to. We were also less inclined to do our own cooking as we had done for many years on our twice yearly weeklong retreats. The Spirituality Center at St. Placid Priory met both those needs, and we have been very warmly welcomed with typical Benedictine hospitality. Janice helped us with scheduling and all sorts of details that helped our time there go smoothly in a way that supported our work of meditation. Thank you, Janice! We hope to be able to continuing our meditation retreats there as long as we are able. And prayers of blessing for the sisters and the Spirituality Center."
"The day in the forest was one of the most soulful and life-giving retreats I've ever attended. The multi-sensory experiences connected me to nature in new ways and the facilitation was masterful. Thank you for having the vision to offer such an exemplary retreat. The benefits will linger with me for some time, especially when I walk in the woods.
Lorna"
"A great experience!
The retreat was led by Michael Stein-Ross and Denise McDermott (Cascadia Forest Therapy) whose invitations for contemplation were thoughtful and heart filling. Including their photographer Chole, the team provided a moving experience.
Thank you to the Priory for hosting the event. The priory grounds were the perfect backdrop for a retreat into nature.
A shout out to the group on the retreat, it was a pleasure to share the experience with all of them.
Adele Rozgo
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"It was a heart deepening retreat. It was mastery guided and provoked profound sharing.
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"I loved this! I attended in-person at the Spirituality Center and am so glad I was able to do this. For me, it felt like a walk through an art museum (which is one of my favorite things to do) with friends. I enjoyed the observations, the discussion of meaning, and the spiritual nature of each piece. It was really interesting that all the pieces of art were thematic: tables this session. Who knew there could be so much to talk about tables! I'm looking forward to the next session."
"Great introduction to this fun art form. I wanted to attend all three classes but had conflicts unfortunately "
"It was a Blessing to shared a day with so much holiness . It brought me much needed peace and tranquillity. Sister Lucy and Sister Paz will forever be in my heart. Can’t wait to visit again. Thank you and May God bless everyone who enters this magnificent place. "
"What a wonderful experience camaraderie, pizza, and devotion. My dog Hunter came with me, and she was more than welcomed. She was able to run the grounds freely as we labored.
It was my first time at the priory, and I just want to continue to be involved on some level. I feel blessed"
"I was looking for a quiet and beautiful space to make a private retreat. St. Placid's Priory was a great choice. The Priory and Spirituality Center are located in a wooded area. I often saw deer, birds, squirrels, and other forest creatures as I walked the paths around the Center. The place is very quiet. My room had a big window which looked out into the woods--very peaceful. There was a sink in my room which I really appreciated since the showers and toilets are down the hall in a separate room. There is also a full kitchen in the Spirituality Center where the retreatant rooms are located. This was ideal for me because I had brought my own breakfast for the three days I was there. There is also Mass most days, and retreatants are welcome to join the Sisters who live there for Mass. The Sisters are gracious and very respectful of retreatants wishing to make a silent retreat. One thing I wish had been different--I would have liked to have been able to pray in the Priory chapel in the evening, but it closed at 6:00. The woman who oversees the Spirituality Center, Janice, was super helpful! I would definitely recommend St. Placid's Priory for anyone wanting a quiet, comfortable, and beautiful setting."
"The sisters at St Placid were most helpful in guiding me as to the different facilities. They were respectful of my request for a silent retreat while still showing concern for my well-being.
All the facility, bedroom, bathrooms, kitchen and other areas was clean. The food provided was of good quality.
The deep sense of peace and silence within the area were quite conducive to a meditative and prayerful stay.
I am so thankful for the St. Placid Spiritual Center.
I know I will schedule other such stay.
Liliane"
"My husband and I did a retreat together and it was perfect. We each received spiritual direction and the sisters were so welcoming and inquisitive. We each came away feeling like that was exactly what we needed and at the perfect time."
"I had a restful three days and two nights with time to pray, read and reflect on a major transition in my life. The retreat center was quiet and peaceful with good food provided by the Sisters’ chef. My silence was respected and I was free to structure my time as needed. I’m grateful for the time I had at St. Placid."
"I needed a place to go to be in silence, rest and write. St. Placid Priory provided this space. "
"My direct experience of this class was an excellent one. Sister Monica is an excellent teacher. I Just can't get over how happy and proud I am of this one little frame she taught us how to draw. Every morning over coffee I look at it and it just - makes me happy. I look forward to other classes Sister Monica and St Placid Priory may offer. "