Event Details
Weekend Retreat Beneath the Trees
We check-in on Friday between 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm; Friday dinner 7:00 pm. The retreat concludes with lunch at noon on Sunday. Weekend Retreat – Indoors and outdoors.
Enrollment space is limited to 25 people.
Cancellation policy
Overnight or Multi-day/weekend retreats: $50 fee. Day Retreat: $20. Fees may be applied to future retreats. The fees may be waived in event of extenuating circumstances. Contact Kateri at 925-837-9141 x315.
About the Event
“Not that I want to be a god or a hero. Just to change into a tree, grow for ages, not hurt anyone.” (Czeslaw Milosz, poet, writer, Nobel Laureate)
“He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.” (Jeremiah 17:8)
“The wonder is that we can see these trees and not wonder more.”
(Ralph Waldo Emerson, American philosopher)
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This retreat on July 26-28, 2024 (Friday to Sunday) aims to inspire us to experience trees with a new and deeper appreciation. We will be sharing knowledge of the inner workings of trees that most of us have not encountered in our hurried lives of duty and responsibilities.
Come to San Damiano and allow yourself to be nourished by the holy grounds that are filled with magnificent trees. Leading the retreat will be Dennis and Anne Yniguez, experienced consulting arborists, and Michael J. Cunningham, our Executive Director.
The Franciscan charism of praising God in creation and the Pope Francis inspired letter “Laudato Si” encourage us to reflect deeply.
Come prepared to learn, reflect, be fed, and rest in the grace of creation.
Enrollment space is limited to 25 people. The cost for the retreat is $320 for singles, $290 for doubles. The fee includes room, board, and materials for the weekend.
About the Presenter(s)
Dennis & Anne Yniguez
Dennis and Anne are consulting arborists in Berkeley, California. Their practice includes tree health and risk assessment, forensic tree examinations, evaluation of tree-related casualty claims, and resolution of tree-related disputes. They bring prior life experience in law, social work, insurance administration, and art therapy. Together they have over fifty years of professional experience studying trees, working with trees, and many hours just getting to know trees from the ground and in their swaying canopies.
The study of trees is endlessly deep, fascinating, and inspiring. In many ways, they are like the best humans whose lives we admire for their selflessness, very often unrecognized and unheralded until they are gone.
Dr. Michael Cunningham, OFS, completed his MA in Ministry at St. John’s Seminary in Brighton, MA, and his Doctorate in Ministry at Catholic University in Washington, DC. He is the Executive Director of San Damiano Retreat in Danville, CA. Michael has been a formation director with the Secular Franciscans for many years. Michael is married with four children and eleven grandchildren and is an avid writer, photographer, and motorcyclist.
Michael will introduce meditations and reflections on the infinite beauty of Creation that is manifested through Nature.
