CHOOSING PRESENCE

January 23-25, 2026 | Carmelite Spiritual Center (Illuman of Illinois & St. Thomas Men’s Group)

We need to stop sleep-walking through life. Awakening to presence within and around us is critical to being human, holy and alive.

Practicing Presence invites men to slow down, breathe deeply, and awaken to the transforming power and gift of Divine Presence. Through engaging teachings, guided practices, councils, wandering in nature, and sacred ritual, participants will learn to cultivate a rhythm of meditation & centering, described in Jim Heaney’s book Choosing Presence.

Co-led by author Jim Heaney, Pastor Jim Taylor, and Presence Guide Brian Mueller, this retreat will help ground men in the Practice of Presence—one of the Centering Touchstone practices on the Journey of Illumination—while offering resources for ongoing practice. Each participant will receive a copy of Choosing Presence and is also invited to download the free Practicing Presence – A Christian Way mobile app today!

Pricing: Room Options (Includes program, room, and 5 meals)

$290 – double room

$370 – single room

$235 – commuter rate (Includes program, room, and 5 meals)

Location: Carmelite Spiritual Center, 8419 Bailey Road, Darien, IL 60561

Registration: Awakening to God’s Peace and Presence Pre-registration by January 21st

Questions: (630) 969-4141 or email: retreats@carmelitespiritualcenter.org