A Safe and Sober New Year's at San Damiano Retreat
December 30, 2025 - January 1, 2026
"I give myself the green light to move forward, and to joyously embrace the new." - Louise Hay
Come join us for a New Year's holiday free of alcohol, noise, and that pesky New Year's Eve ball drop from Times Square! Instead of chaos, choose serenity. Instead of resolutions, choose gentle reflection. Instead of noise, choose sacred silence.
🌟 What Makes This Retreat Special
We will celebrate the blessings in our lives and discover the challenges we expect in 2026 in a safe, supportive, and completely sober environment. This unique retreat blends group reflection, personal meditation time, shared meals, and optional 12-Step meetings. The winter climate helps us stay calm and serene as we transition mindfully into the new year.
No official midnight celebration. No resolutions allowed! This is a time for reality check and making gentle decisions about 2026.
✨ In Our Sessions Together, You'll Have the Opportunity To:
Review the past year and embrace the newness of 2026
Check in with the God of your own understanding
Fine-tune the power of prayer and meditation in your daily lives
Discover new invitations that God might be sending your way this year
Freshen your understanding of 12-Step spirituality
Consider a brief one-to-one spiritual direction session (offered Saturday)
🕊️ Franciscan Spirituality & Gentle Guidance
San Damiano Retreat is a Franciscan retreat center, and we'll include moments highlighting Franciscan spirituality - particularly the importance of being gentle with others as we are gentle with ourselves. Our experienced presenters will offer short reflections with plenty of time for you to process and reflect personally.
📅 Schedule Overview
Tuesday, December 30:
Check-in: 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Program begins: 4:00 PM
Dinner: 6:00 PM
Thursday, January 1:
Mass: 11:00 AM (optional)
Festive lunch: 12:00 PM
Departure: after lunch, by 1:00 PM latest
👥 Meet Your Presenters
Bro. Mark Schroeder, O.F.M. - A Franciscan Friar for over 40 years who lives at San Damiano and offers spiritual direction. His ministries have included social justice advocacy, ecological awareness, and retreat leadership.
Margaret Riley - Drawn to Franciscan Spirituality since 1983, Margaret has a Masters in Pastoral Ministry and has been part of San Damiano's Spiritual Direction team since 2018.
Fr. David Gaa, O.F.M. - A Franciscan for over 30 years who works with the homeless and those with addiction problems in downtown San Francisco, bringing deep compassion and understanding to recovery spirituality.
🙏 Ready for a Holy Start to 2026?
Please consider this unique and sacred way to celebrate New Year's. Step into 2026 with intention, community, and the peace that comes from choosing a different path.
Questions about retreat content?
Contact Bro. Mark at (619) 962-0919
San Damiano Retreat Center - Where serenity meets the sacred
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