9th Annual Women’s Retreat

What a journey we have been on since the outbreak of the global pandemic — more than ever, we need to give ourselves this gift of coming together to be with one another for respite and renewal!

January 22 marks the 294^th anniversary of the death of Sister Louise Hours, the mystic who received De La Salle into the sacred space of Parmenie and gave him a place of respite and renewal during the late winter-early spring of 1714. It was De La Salle’s encounter with Sister Louise, during a time of crisis in his life, that provided him with the discernment needed to return to the Brothers and take up, once again, the work of the Christian Schools. “The work is yours,” said Sister Louise Hours.

Our retreat this year honors the role that Sister Louise played in our Lasallian family story and, in doing so, honors you. You are now invited take some time out of your busy life, during this difficult time of the coronavirus pandemic, for a bit of respite and renewal.

We welcome inspiring Lasallian women to accompany us on this virtual journey of prayer, reflection, conversation and renewal.

Retreat Accompaniers

Heather Ruple-Gilson
Co-Secretary of Lasallian Association, Rome, Italy

Heather received her B.A. studies in English and Drama Arts at St. Mary’s College of California where she graduated in 2001. She was a Lasallian Volunteer in RELAN from 2001 to 2003, a Delegate to the Second International Symposium of Young Lasallians in 2006, and a Delegate to International Mission Assembly in Rome, in May 2013.  She has participated in several international CIL sessions, as well as in District and Regional conferences and formation programs. As organizer of Lasallian events, she has planned and facilitated various Formation programs for groups including Young Lasallians, Women, Educators, Vocation Coordinators in the District of San Francisco New Orleans, RELAN, the District of Poland, and the District of Ireland, Great Britain, & Malta. Learn more about Heather here.

Christine Brides-Estes

Christine graduated from Stonehill College with degrees in English and Religious Studies. She holds a Master of Divinity from Harvard Divinity School and has been a high school teacher and campus minister.  Currently, she serves as Director of Lasallian Formation and Chair of the Religion Department at La Salle Academy, Providence, RI

Elissa Pensa-Cerros

Elissa graduated from New York University with an MA in Theater and Media. She has ministered at La Salle Academy since 2000 as a Theater, Film and Video Production teacher, as Resident Scenic and Lighting Designer/Technical Director for the La Salle Players and, for a number of those years, as director of Arts Alive! in which Elissa was instrumental in establishing the Young Lasallian movement in RELAN and served on the International Council of Young Lasallians.