Event Details

Compassion Quest: Uncovering Joy and Hope Through Self-Care (Part 1)

February 1, 2025 9:00 am
Paula Jenkins, Presenter
Margaret Riley, Presenter
DAY RETREAT.
Check-in on Saturday is from 8:30 AM – 9:00 AM.
The program begin from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Lunch is served at 12:00 PM. Cost is $65 per person.

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.

Details Price Qty
Per Person including lunchshow details + $65.00 USD  


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About the Event

Join us for “Compassion Quest: Uncovering Joy and Hope Through Self-Care,” a one-day retreat with Paula Jenkins and Margaret Riley. This refreshing and peaceful retreat is designed for those who feel overwhelmed or who are feeling the weight of today’s world. Through mindfulness, creative activities, a labyrinth walk, and meaningful discussions, you’ll learn to let go of your burdens, embrace self-care, and reconnect with your inner joy. Walk away with a renewed sense of hope and a “self care tool kit” full of practical tools to nurture compassion in your daily life. All are welcome to join this restorative day.

What to expect

On this retreat day, you will embark on a transformative journey of mindfulness and reflection. The day will begin with an introduction by Paula Jenkins and Margaret Riley, after which we will discuss mindfulness practices, and create a vision board or mandala to visually represent your journey. After lunch, we will discuss self-compassion inspired by thought leaders Kristin Neff. We will conclude the day with a labyrinth walk, and time to journal and share reflections on how you will bring the day’s insights to life.

San Damiano is the perfect place to take a break and reconnect with self-care and self-compassion. Nestled on 57 peaceful acres of mountainside, our retreat center offers scenic walks, trails, and beautiful gardens, with stunning views stretching across the valley to Mount Diablo. Simply spending time here can lift your spirits.

We’ll take care of you with lunch on our retreat day, and we’re happy to accommodate special dietary needs.

Retreat Leadership: the retreat will be led by Paula Jenkins and Margaret Riley, who have a wealth of instructive experience in self compassion, self care, and labyrinth work. The retreat is open to anyone seeking a day to reflect and reconnect; we will tailor the presentation to those who attend.

About the Presenter(s)

Paula Jenkins

Paula Jenkins is a Veriditas trained labyrinth facilitator, certified life coach, and holds a Master of Arts in Religion from Yale Divinity School. For many years, she led the young adult team at San Damiano. She is the author of Jump Start Your Joy: Heart-Centered Ways to Find Joy in the Messy Middle, and the host of Jump Start Your Joy, a podcast that looks at how people choose joy in their lives. She is passionate about the labyrinth and sharing it with others as a spiritual and meditative tool.

Margaret Riley

Margaret Riley has been a Spiritual Director since 2008, when she became certified via the Mercy Center in Burlingame, CA. Her Spiritual roots are Christian in the Roman Catholic Church, but in her practice as a Spiritual Director and retreat presenter, she enjoys companioning spiritual seekers from other traditions (or no tradition). Margaret obtained a Master’s degree in Pastoral Ministry from the Franciscan School of Theology, Berkeley, CA. (FST/GTU) in 2004. She has joyfully lived in the Bay Area for over 34 years and has been a full-time Minister in the Diocese of Oakland since 1994.