A Two-Day Spiritual Formation Retreat for Ministry Leaders
Ministry can easily become a life of constant giving, responding, planning, and carrying the needs of others. But before we can faithfully lead others, we must continually return to the One who leads us.
Led by Dan and Stephanie Burke of the Avila Institute for Spiritual Formation, Awake and Abide is a two-day spiritual formation retreat created for clergy and ministry leaders in the Diocese of Lansing who desire to slow down, become attentive to the movement of God in their lives, and deepen their relationship with Jesus. Across two days, we will make space to awaken to the spiritual realities shaping our hearts and minds and to abide more deeply in the presence of Christ through prayer.
You are welcome to attend Day One, Day Two, or the full two-day retreat. Each day offers a meaningful experience on its own, while together they invite you into a journey from awakening to abiding.
Event Details
Dates: Wednesday, February 3 - Thursday, February 4, 2027
Start time: 10:00 am
End time: Day 1 - 6 pm // Day 2 - 4:30 pm
Location: St. Francis Retreat Center
Registration closes at 11:59 PM on 1/24/2027
Day One: Awake (10:00 am – 6:00 pm)
Spiritual Warfare and Discernment of Spirits
What voices are shaping the way you see yourself, your ministry, and your relationship with God?
Day One will explore the reality of the spiritual battle and the practice of discerning the movements within us. Together, we will reflect on hope in the midst of struggle, the renewal of the mind, discernment of spirits, healing, and freedom from the lies that keep us from living fully in Christ.
This day is an invitation to become more awake—to recognize what is happening within us and to learn to distinguish the voice of God from the voices that lead us away from truth, freedom, and peace.
Day Two: Abide (10:00 am – 4:30 pm)
Into the Deep: Finding Peace Through Prayer
After awakening to what is happening within us, we are invited to go deeper.
Day Two will focus on the heart of authentic Christian prayer and a growing intimacy with Jesus. We will explore what it means to encounter Christ personally, create space and time for prayer, know God more deeply, and cultivate a life rooted not simply in doing for God, but in being with Him.
This day is an invitation to abide—to slow down, listen, receive, and rediscover that the deepest source of fruitful ministry is a life rooted in communion with Jesus.
Attend One Day or Both
You are welcome to attend Day One, Day Two, or the full two-day retreat. Each day offers a meaningful experience on its own, while together they create a journey from awakening to abiding. Come away from the demands of ministry for a time of reflection, prayer, conversation, and spiritual renewal.
If cost is a barrier to attendance, please reach out to Grace for assistance.
Register Now!
Our Presenters: Dan & Stephanie Burke
Dan and Stephanie speak together on topics of the interior life with an emphasis on prayer, spiritual warfare, and marriage. They are grateful to be married, grateful to be Catholic, and grateful to be joining us here in the Diocese of Lansing
Stephanie Burke is an international speaker, retreat master, spiritual director, and head of the Catholic Community of Apostoli Viae’s healing apostolate. She is also the co-author of the book Divine Intimacy in Marriage.
Dan Burke has written numerous books on Catholic mystical tradition and is the Founder of the Avila Institute which provides spiritual formation for priests, religious, and laity in more than 90 countries, and priestly formation around the world. He is also the founder of the world-wide Catholic community of Apostoli Viae.