“Nourishing Hope in Our Beautiful and Wounded World” 7-day Preached Retreat with Sister Melannie Svoboda, SND: Author, Educator, and Spiritual Director; Monday, July 13, 2026 at 3:00pm through Sunday, July 19, 2026 at 9:00am.
As Christians, we are called to be people of hope. But how do we do this amid the gloom and doom that sometimes pervade the daily news—and our personal lives? This retreat will explore the nature of Christian hope and its relation to faith and love. It will suggest some ways we can nourish our hope, such as through: the wonders of creation, prayer, loving service, friendship, playfulness, letting go, and courage during pain and sorrow. The use of scripture, music, stories, humor, and short videos will hopefully deepen our relationship with our Loving God in whom our hope resides.
Sister Melannie Svoboda is a Sister of Notre Dame of Chardon, Ohio. Originally from Willoughby Hills, Ohio, she has dedicated her life to education, spiritual leadership and the written word.
Sister Melannie holds an MA in English from Indiana University and an MA in Spirituality from Duquesne University. Her career spans several decades of service, including a prolific freelance writer for over 45 years. Sr. Melannie’s work had appeared in major Catholic outlets such as America, National Catholic Reporter, and Give Us This Day. She has authored sixteen books, focusing on finding the divine in the everyday. Notable titles include: Traits of a Healthy Spirituality, The Grace of Beauty, When the Blue Heron Flies, With the Dawn Rejoicing, Picking Strawberries: Prayer-Poems to Nourish the Soul
Currently, Sister Melannie stays active by writing, giving national talks, and leading retreats. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys the simple graces of life: strolling, playing the piano, tackling a difficult Sudoku, and remaining a devoted fan of her hometown Clevland sports teams.
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Preached Retreat
July 13, 2026 - July 19, 2026
3:00 pm - 9:00 am