MEN’S OUTDOOR RETREAT
OCTOBER 10-13, 2025

Beyond These Four Walls—Experiencing God in the Books of Scripture and Nature
Topic: Digital detox; Lectio divina; Wilderness; Journey
Father Gilbert Heater, O.S.B., and Father Shawn Matthew Anderson, O.S.B.

Retreat Description:

In our modern world, it is all too easy to be distracted and disconnected from the reality of God’s presence in our hearts, in others, and in the world around us. This four-day retreat amid the natural beauty of Raccoon Creek State Park invites you into the incarnational wonder of God’s love and the profoundly human way in which he encounters us in body, mind, and soul. Our fellowship will be centered around outdoor recreation, small group sharing, liturgy, and lectio divina, an ancient practice of reading and reflecting on Scripture. Free from the disturbance of technology and hectic agendas, this time of holy leisure will provide an opportunity to receive the graces of contemplation and experience the gifts of God’s creation at Raccoon Creek State Park.

Retreat Masters:

Father Shawn Matthew Anderson, O.S.B., has been a monk of Saint Vincent Archabbey for more than 20 years. Holding a doctor of pharmacology degree, he is an associate professor of biology at Saint Vincent College, a priest for more than 15 years, and also serves as director of the Retreat Program.

Father Gilbert Heater, O.S.B.,  has been a member of the monastic community at Saint Vincent for nine years. He has previously served as socius of novices and postulants for the monastic community, sacristan, assistant master of ceremonies, and monastic organist. He is presently assigned as a Parochial Vicar at Mary, Queen of the Saints Parish in. Aliquippa, while he prepares for future studies. 

REGISTRATION INFORMATION: 

Schedule: Retreatants will meet between 3 and 5 p.m. and Raccoon Creek State Park on Thursday, October 10, at a location to be sent out upon registration for this retreat.

Fee: $290

Check-In: Between 3 to 5 p.m.

Other Information: Raccoon Creek State Park is a 7,572-acre Pennsylvania state park on Raccoon Creek in Hanover and Independence townships in Beaver County, Pennsylvania. The park is about 30 miles from the city of Pittsburgh, near Hookstown. The park address is 3000 PA-18, Hookstown, PA 15050.

RETREAT REGISTRATION THIS YEAR IS ALL AT ONE LINK! CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR ANY ONE OR FOR ALL RETREATS!