About Us
San Damiano is home to nine Friars. Some are retired and some are active in the retreat ministry. Here are a few of them: Bro. Keith Warner, OFM Bro. Mike Minton, OFM Bro. Victor Vega, OFM This has been a year of some major changes for San Damiano. After half a decade of relative calm, our guardian, administrator and spiritual direction coordinator have left their positions. We also have two friars in formation now living here. Fr. Evan Howard, has passed on the guardian duties to Bro. Keith Warner, OFM. Fortunately, Fr. Evan continues on here ably assisting in retreat ministry and Bro. Keith is a teaching professor at the Jesuit University of Santa Clara. Though we are not a house of formation, two of our friars in formation (in simple, not solemn vows) have been assigned here. We feel privileged to welcome Bro. Victor Vega and Bro. Mike Minton May they bring added spiritual resources to our retreatants. Here is some of our staff by the St. Francis statue on this beautiful Fall day Lois McWhorter, Gardener Extraordinaire
About us: right column
FRANCISCAN FRIAR COMMUNITY
Fr. Ray Bucher, OFM, a native of Oakland, is the director of San Damiano. Fr. Ray holds a Ph.D. in Philosophy from Fordham University. He was Vicar Provincial of the Province from 1988 to 1994 and served as director of the Franciscan Renewal Center in Scottsdale, AZ.
STAFF GATHERINGS
You will find the staff at San Damiano working together to provide for the needs and comfort for our guests on a daily basis. We also gather for retreats and social events throughout the year. We have one in-service day and one retreat day per year. Major feast days provide time to socialize over prayer, Liturgy and a special lunch provided by our excellent Kitchen Staff. Many staff members take advantage of the Chapel and 
grounds for personal reflection time. Two hi-lights of the year are the Feast of St. Francis in October and our Christmas party. Fr. Ray, our Director, generously provides these opportunities for the staff and we thank him so much!SAN DAMIANO STAFF
CANTICLE GARDEN NEWS
“The kiss of the Sun for pardon, the song of the birds for mirth, you’re closer to God’s heart in the garden than anywhere else on earth.” So reads the wrought iron sign at the entrance to our new healing garden located in the Canticle Garden next to the Labyrinth. You may sit at the feet of the Good Shepherd surrounded by blossoms and healing herbs, hummingbirds, and butterflies; here is refreshment for your spirit, the breeze a gentle massage for a worried mind while colorful flowers lift a heavy heart. Discover it on your next visit to San Damiano!
Since 1961, the Franciscan Friars, of the Province of St. Barbara, have welcomed to San Damiano Retreat those who thirst for a greater connection to God. We are a sanctuary of transformation for people of different faiths and backgrounds. The peace and beauty of our gardens and spacious grounds offer a serene place where individuals, groups, and organizations (both religious and secular) may reflect on new insights…new choices…new decisions. Through innovative and relevant retreats and spiritual direction, individuals can discover Gospel answers to today’s challenging questions. San Damiano is truly a spiritual oasis.
FUNDRAISING
Each year San Damiano holds a Fall auction and Dinner. This fundraiser is a lot of fun! There is a silent and live auction, drinks and hors d’oeuvres, and a fine dinner served with wine. We will soon post the date for 2013. Meanwhile, here is a picture of Fr. Ray Bucher, our director, with some folks who attended this past September.
Additional ways to support San Damiano:
- Annual Appeal (Usually in late Spring)
- Capital Campaign (Check the web page for details)
- The San Damiano Legacy Society
If you would like to support San Damiano, please contact the Retreat Director, Fr. Ray Bucher, OFM at 925-837-9141, ext. 309. Information is also on our Capital Campaign/Giving page.
OUR NAME
The original San Damiano, a little church located outside the town of Assisi, Italy, has great significance in the life and vocation of St. Francis of Assisi, the founder of the Franciscan Order. It was while in prayer before a 12th Century crucifix in the dilapidated church of San Damiano that Francis heard a voice. The Christ of the crucifix spoke to Francis, “Francis, go repair my church which is falling into ruins.” Literally Francis began to gather stones and started building up the edifice only to realize that the larger community of the whole church was meant, not merely a material building. St. Clare of Assisi, the first female follower of St. Francis, was given San Damiano as the first convent for her community, the Poor Ladies. The Poor Clares took the original San Damiano cross with them to the Santa Chiara Basilica where it hangs in a chapel. It is our hope that San Damiano Retreat will be a place of listening, vision, and rebuilding for you and a place of encounter with Christ. Find out more on the Franciscana page.
VOLUNTEERS ARE APPRECIATED!
Volunteers are a part of the San Damiano “family.” Without them, we couldn’t offer this “piece of heaven” to so many grateful people. We give the volunteers an appreciation luncheon and gift each year. If you find yourself able to give some time to San Damiano, call 925-837-9141 for an application. Here are some opportunities for you to consider:
- Gardening
- Bulk Mailings
VISITOR REFLECTIONS
“Thank you so much for hospitality and kindness on our day retreat at San Damiano. We enjoyed the wonderful lunch provided and the relaxing environment your staff has provided for us. The atmosphere at the retreat center has inspired us to continue forward in doing God’s work on campus.“
From the students of Notre Dame de Namur… We graciously thank you.
