Retreat
The Holy & Just Saint Joseph Retreat Cabin is a two story, post & beam, rustic and compact structure. It has two bedrooms upstairs and a pull-out downstairs. There is a sitting room, full kitchen and full bath. it is heated with either a wood-burning stove or a propane non-vented heater. The back of the cabin overlooks one of the streams and pasture land. At present, it is open all year round. Noonday dinner is served by the monastic community; breakfast and supper are usually on one's own.
The cabin is ideal for families. Younger children are allowed on the grounds, but must be accompanied by an adult or older sibling, especially near the streams or when entering the retreat house. At the farm, we have herds of dairy goats, kids, horses, and other farm animals. However, please do not enter the animal enclosures (barns) without the express permission of a member of the monastic community (for your own safety).
What to do
First, plan on attending each day's services, and in particular the Divine Liturgy. Participation in the Divine Offices are an essential — perhaps the most essential — aspect of a successful retreat experience. At the Cloister, community celebration of the Divine Offices bring us deeply into Christ's Presence.
Second, spend time in solitary prayer. The Monastic Horologion (daily schedule) provides ample time throughout the day. On the Retreat House grounds there are several shrines where you may find the peace and quiet necessary to speak — and more importantly — listen to the Lord.
Finally, members of the monastic community are available to provide guidance to you. We suggest that you start your retreat with the mystery of reconciliation (“confession”). In our tradition, repentance facilitates spiritual development. After confession, a priest will be able to guide you in terms of goals and tasks for your retreat.
Protocol
Please rely on our discernment that an essential component of a successful retreat experience is minimizing the distractions of the world.
Please dress conservatively. For men, this means long pants and long-sleeved shirts; for women, this means long skirts (no side slits) and long-sleeved blouses (nothing low-cut). Clothing should fit loosely. Flat shoes and sandals are indicated. For services in Chapel, veils or hats are required for women, and sports jackets for men.
Please leave the Internet, cellular phones, television, radio, digital music, newspapers, magazines, & etc., at home. These all have positive uses in the world, at the Cloister, they either will not work (you have to drive to the next county to get Internet or cell phone access), or they will be a detriment to your retreat experience. Scripture tells us that Elijah met the Lord not in an earthquake or a fire, but in a gentle whisper. We are very confident that your MP3 player will be quite effective in drowning out quiet whispers! The world with its myriad of attention-seeking noises will still be there when you complete your retreat — whether you choose to be re-subjugated to them is, of course, up to you.
Finally, some areas of the Cloister and the Retreat House are marked as “Monastic Enclosure” please do not enter these areas.