Overview & Registration

January 21-24, 2025 | Holy Name Passionist Retreat Center, Houston, TX

Join us for this year’s Winter Leadership Gathering at the Holy Name Passionist Retreat Center in Houston, TX! This year’s gathering will feature deep conversation, once again introduced by case studies on the topics from other leaders, around the theme of community life. This year’s case study will focus on individualism, lifestyles that challenge religious identity, and communal challenges in small communities. Registration is open through Friday, December 20 at 5:00 pm ET. 

New to the Winter Leadership Gathering? The Gathering is a leadership formation workshop designed for major superiors and councilors of male religious communities. It is discussion-based, focusing on a series of current issues leaders are facing with opportunities to network, reflect, pray over those challenges. 

Presenters

Fr. Frank Donio, SAC
Conference of Major Superiors of Men

Fr. Kevin Kennedy
Leadership Roundtable

Fr. James Herring, O. Praem.
Order of Canons Regular of Prémontré

Br. Dan O’Riordan, FMS
The Marist Brothers

Fr. Alexandro Rubio, MSpS
Missionaries of the Holy Spirit

Fr. Aaron Wessman, GHM
Glenmary Home Missioners

Schedule

The 2025 Winter Leadership Gathering program will begin at 1:00 PM CT on Tuesday, January 21, 2025. Lunch will be available prior to the start of the formal program at 12:00 pm. The Winter Leadership Gathering will conclude with lunch at 12:00 pm on Thursday, January 23.

New this year, we are pleased to offer an optional 24-hour retreat given by fellow leader Fr. Aaron Wessman, GHM. It will feature time for prayer, quiet reflection, and a spiritual deepening of the themes discussed during the Winter Leadership Gathering. The retreat will start after lunch on Thursday, January 23, and run through lunch on Friday, January 24.

  • 1:00 pm – Welcome and Introductions – Fr. Frank Donio, SAC
  • 1:45 pm – Individualism: Case Study and Discussion – Fr. Aaron Wessman, GHM and Fr. Kevin Kennedy
  • A case study from the vice president of the Glenmary Home Missioners, Fr. Wessman, followed by conversation facilitated by Fr. Kevin Kennedy. 
  • 2:45 pm – Break
  • 3:00 pm – Spiritual Reflection – Br. Dan O’Riordan, FMS
  • 3:45 pm – Wrap up – Fr. Kevin Kennedy and Fr. Frank Donio, SAC
  • 4:00 pm – Break
  • 4:45 pm – Evening Prayer
  • 5:00 pm – Dinner

  • 7:30 am – Mass – Fr. Frank Donio, SAC
  • 8:00 am – Breakfast
  • 8:45 am – Morning Prayer 
  • 9:00 am – Welcome back – Fr. Frank Donio, SAC
  • 9:15 am – Community Life in a Small Community Case Study and Discussion – Fr. James Herring, O. Praem. and Fr. Kevin Kennedy
  • A case study on difficulties associated with communal life in a small community from Fr. Herring, followed by small and large group discussions facilitated by Fr. Kevin Kennedy
  • 10:30 am Break
  • 10:45 am – Spiritual Reflection – Br. Dan O’Riordan, FMS
  • 11:30 am – Wrap up – Fr. Kevin Kennedy and Fr. Frank Donio, SAC
  • 12:00 pm – Lunch
  • 1:00 pm -Welcome back – Fr. Frank Donio, SAC
  • 1:15 pm – Negative External Influences on Community Life and Discussion – Fr. Alexandro Rubio, MSpS and Fr. Kevin Kennedy
  • A case study on negative external influences on community life from Fr. Lehman, followed by a facilitated discussion with Fr. Kevin Kennedy
  • 2:30 pm – Break
  • 2:45 pm – Spiritual Reflection – Br. Dan O’Riordan, FMS
  • 3:30 pm – Wrap up – Fr. Kevin Kennedy and Fr. Frank Donio, SAC
  • 4:00 pm – Evening Prayer
  • 4:15 pm – Break
  • 5:00 pm – Dinner

  • 7:30 am – Mass – TBD
  • 8:00 am – Breakfast
  • 9:00 am – Morning Prayer
  • 9:15 am – Reflection and Integration – Fr. Kevin Kennedy and Fr. Frank Donio, SAC
  • A chance to discuss and reflect on insights gained and takeaways to carry back to your leadership ministry.
  • 10:15 am – Break
  • 10:30 am – Discussion – Fr. Kevin Kennedy and Fr. Frank Donio, SAC
  • A facilitated discussion aimed at sharing of insights among the group. 
  • 11:30 pm – Evaluation/Summary
  • 12:00 pm – Wrap and lunch – departure for those not staying for the retreat

Retreat 

  • 2:00 pm – Retreat with Fr. Aaron Wessman, GHM begins
  • 4:45 pm – Evening Prayer
  • 5 pm – Dinner

  • 7:30 am – Mass – Fr. Aaron Wessman, GHM
  • 8:00 am – Breakfast
  • 9:00 am – Morning Prayer
  • 9:15 am – Retreat Continues
  • 12:00 pm – Lunch, wrap, and depart

Logistics

Lodging

The Holy Name Passionist Retreat Center has single occupancy rooms with a bed, linens, and private bathroom. All meals are provided, starting Tuesday at lunch and through Thursday at lunch. For those staying for the Retreat, meals will be provided through lunch on Friday.

Arrival

  • The Winter Leadership Gathering will start on Tuesday, January 21 at 1:00 pm CT.
    • Lunch will be available at 12:00 pm.
  • For those interested, there is an option to come a day earlier (Monday, January 20) for an extra fee.

Departure

  • The Winter Leadership Gathering will conclude on Thursday, January 23 at 12:00 pm CT.
    • Lunch will be available at 12:00 pm.
  • For those attending the Retreat, departure will be after lunch on Friday, January 24.

Airport

The nearest major airport is George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH). The retreat center is approximately a 35-minute drive via rental car or taxi/Uber.

Registration and Cancellation Policy

Registration is open through Friday, December 20 at 5:00 pm. Please reference our full cancellation policy here.

We look forward to seeing you. If you have questions, please contact David Rohrer Budiash, Director of Programs, at [email protected] or 240-436-1311.

Thank you to Leadership Roundtable for sponsoring this year’s Winter Leadership Gathering.