About Us

About Us

About us: right column

FRANCISCAN FRIAR COMMUNITY

Our friars are members of the Order of Friars Minor, St. Barbara Province. Three of them are in ministry for the retreat center.

They are:

  • 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.
  • Fr. Rusty Shaughnessy, OFM, is the retreat master. He also served at the Franciscan Renewal Center and does many parish missions and retreats all over the United States. Fr. Rusty holds an MA degree in Theology from St. Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore, MD.
  • Fr. Evan Howard, OFM is the Guardian of the friar community and is here “in retirement.” He has served extensively at the retreat centers of the Province including Holy Cross in New Mexico and St. Anthony Retreat in Three Rivers, CA. You will often find him welcoming guests in the lobby or dining room.

Fr. Evan Howard, Fr. Ray Bucher & Fr. Rusty Shaughnessy

 

  • We offer Spiritual Direction during our sponsored retreats. Rena Grant is the coordinator. Contact her at 925-837-9141 or renag@sandamiano.org.
  • The Gift Shop at San Damiano offers many nice gifts, cards, books, rosaries and other gift items.

“I especially enjoyed the conversation at lunch time with my fellow retreatants and exploring the grounds.”

“Overall, I find that I always feel relaxed, loved and comfortable. The Franciscans are just my type.”

Recent retreat attendees

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.

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.

CELEBRATING LANDMARK ANNIVERSARIES …

Staff members Jim Whatford and Mary Paella celebrated landmark anniversaries of employment here at San Damiano. We marked Jim’s 40th year and Mary’s 20th year with us at a festive luncheon in August. Thank you Jim and Mary for your years of service, care and loyalty to our mission and ministry.


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