These preached retreats will be an opportunity for deacons and their wives in the Diocese of Orlando to spend time in prayer, reflection, and fellowship.

This retreat is only open to deacons and their wives serving in the Diocese of Orlando.

Retreat Check In on Fridays, starting at 5:00 pm in St. John the Apostle Building 300.

Retreats end with Sunday Mass and Lunch.

You will receive a pre-event email about a week before the retreat.

Wives are welcome to attend as well.

All retreat fees are paid for by the Diocese of Orlando.

January 22-24, 2027

Consuming Love: The Eucharist and Spousal Intimacy

Led by Fr. Greg Cleveland, OMV

The Eucharistic banquet is the wedding feast of the Lamb.  Our union with Jesus in the Eucharist is most truly and fully a marriage which transcends marriage on a human level since God is divine and we as humans are “divinized” by his grace.  Since the Eucharist is a wedding feast, the Song of Songs, which portrays a Bridegroom King and his bride queen on their wedding day, becomes the perfect language of love to describe our bond with Christ,
our Bridegroom.

Fr. Greg Cleveland, OMV, is a native of Chicago and graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in business administration. After working as a marketing manager for a Midwestern railroad company, he followed God’s call to priesthood in 1987, joined the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, and attended Our Lady of Grace Seminary and St. John’s School of Theology in Boston.

Fr. Greg then served as executive director of the Lanteri Center for Ignatian Spirituality in Denver, Colorado, where he offered spiritual direction and retreats while teaching training programs in these ministries. Currently, he is the Retreat Master at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Retreat and Spirituality Center in Venice, Florida.

February 19-21, 2027

The Missionary in the Mirror: Lessons on our Ministry from Pope Leo

Led by Deacon Greg Kandra

This retreat draws on the writings and life of Pope Leo and applies some lessons to our lives as deacons. It looks at how we can reconsider how ministry as being, really, a mission — one animated by three important elements: prayer, preaching, and presence. Deacon Kandra offers stories of some well-known missionaries and what we can learn from them.

March 5-7, 2027

Commingling - Humanity and Divinity; Our Life in Christ

Led by Deacon Kevin Bagley

“By the mystery of this water and wine, may we come to share in the divinity of Christ, who humbled himself to share in our humanity.”

How do we, as deacons, mix with the clergy and laity; how do we express our fiat; how are we moving our humanity toward divinity?

Deacon Kevin Bagley has extensive proficiencies in leadership and pastoral ministry. He volunteered in parishes in various liturgical ministries, served on pastoral councils, and as a catechist; he has served in professional positions as Pastoral Associate, Director of Ministry, Director of Faith Formation and Evangelization, Chief of Staff, and Pastoral Life Director - all leading to a wealth of experience in pastoral settings. He has served in leadership and management positions in retail, government, and not-for-profit organizations, always advancing the mission and objectives in a fair, objective, pastoral, and compassionate manner.
Deacon Bagley’s educational experience includes: a bachelor’s degree in education, a master’s degree in biblical studies from The Ecumenical Institute of Theology at Saint Mary’s Seminary and University in Baltimore, and a Doctorate in Ministry, specialization in Liturgy and Sacramental Theology, from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.  Deacon Bagley is married with four children and nine grandchildren.  He lives in Fort Worth, Texas.

Abril 23-25, 2027

Director del Retiro de Lengua Española Fr. Dowglas Guevara
Este retiro predicado será una oportunidad para que los diáconos y sus esposas en la Diócesis de Orlando pasen tiempo en oración, reflexión y compañerismo.

**Este retiro solo está abierto a diáconos y sus esposas que sirven en la Diócesis de Orlando.**

Tema por determinar!

Todas las tarifas del retiro son pagadas por la Diócesis.

Soy Dowglas Ramon Guevara Ávila. Nací en la ciudad de Chinandega, Diócesis de León, al occidente de Nicaragua. Siempre me apasionó el tema del sufrimiento humano y la pobreza y por esa razón me involucré en la pastoral Juvenil parroquial para aprender más de Jesucristo. Hice incidencia política no partidaria mientras estudiaba la licenciatura de Economía hasta finalizarla en el 2006.  Ese mismo año decidí entrar al seminario para iniciar los Estudios de bachillerato en filosofía y teología necesarios para la ordenación sacerdotal. Fuí ordenado el 25 de enero del 2014 ya con 12 años de ministerio. Tengo 43 años de edad. 

Misión Pastoral 
Fui Vicario Parroquial de la Basílica del Santuario Nacional de la Inmaculada Concepción de María en la Ciudad de El Viejo, Chinandega a la vez fui Rector del Templo Nuestro Señor San José de esa misma Ciudad del 2014-2018. Ese mismo año fui nombrado párroco de la nueva parroquia Nuestra Señora del Rosario en la ciudad de Chinandega hasta mi partida a España en agosto del 2020. En esos años, antes de partir a España, apoyé directamente al movimiento provida y al ministeiro Viñedo de Raquel aperturado en la Diócesis de León, tambien fui capellán de Cárceles y apoyaba iniciativas de desarrollo humano con personas dedicadas al trabajo penoso (recliclaje de basura).

Estudios Eclesiásticos
En España obtuve la licenciatura de Teología Moral y Espiritual en la Universidad de Navarra, y he investigado sobre las preocupaciones de los padres de familia en cuanto al amor, afectividad y sexualidad de sus hijos adolescentes. Al regresar a Nicaragua fuí nombrado párroco de la parroquia Inmaculada Concepcion de María en la ciudad de León; profesor de teología moral en el Seminario Nacional Nuestra Señora de Fatima, en la capital. Director del Colegio Técnico Vocacional San José Obrero de La Ciudad de León, Co-responsable de la formación de catequistas de la Diócesis y docente de la Escuela Bíblico-Teológica para la formación de Delegados de la palabra y ministros extraordinarios  de la comunión.

Exilio
La persecución religiosa llevada a cabo por el criminal gobierno sandinista hace me exilie el 09 de Julio del 2023 en Costa Rica y allí fui nombrado Vicario Parroquial de la Parroquia Sagrado Corazon de Jesus- Catedral de la Diócesis de Limón. Traslado mi residencia en los Estados Unidos y llegué a la parroquia Santa Ana en Haines City en lla Diócesis de Orlando, FL donde me dediqué al estudio, la oración y el apostolado de la música y la atención a los enfermos. Nombrado pocas semanas como vicario parroquial de la parroquia Resuccion desde el pasado mes de marzo y actualmente nombrado vicario parroquial para la parroquia San Isaac Jogues.

I am Dowglas Ramon Guevara Ávila. I was born in the city of Chinandega, in the Diocese of León, in western Nicaragua. I have always been passionate about human suffering and poverty, and for that reason, I became involved in parish youth ministry to learn more about Jesus Christ. I engaged in non-partisan political activism while studying for my degree in Economics, which I completed in 2006. That same year, I decided to enter the seminary to begin the Bachelor's studies in Philosophy and Theology necessary for priestly ordination. I was ordained on January 25, 2014, after 12 years of ministry. I am 43 years old. 

Pastoral Mission
I served as Parochial Vicar of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception of Mary in the city of  El Viejo, Chinandega, while simultaneously serving as Rector of the Church of Our Lord Saint Joseph in that same city from 2014 to 2018. That same year, I was appointed Parish Priest of the new parish of Our Lady of the Rosary in the city of Chinandega, a position I held until my departure for Spain in August 2020. During those years—prior to leaving for Spain—I provided direct support to the pro-life movement and to the Rachel's Vineyard ministry established within the Diocese of León; I also served as a prison chaplain and supported human development initiatives aimed at individuals engaged in arduous labor (specifically, waste recycling).

Ecclesiastical Studies
In Spain, I earned a Licentiate in Moral and Spiritual Theology from the University of Navarra, and I conducted research regarding the concerns of parents concerning the love, emotional development, and sexuality of their adolescent children. Upon returning to Nicaragua, I was appointed Parish Priest of the Immaculate Conception of Mary Parish in the city of León, as well as Professor of Moral Theology at the National Seminary of Our Lady of Fatima in the capital. I also served as Director of the San José Obrero Vocational Technical School in León, Co-coordinator of Catechist Formation for the Diocese, and Instructor at the Biblical-Theological School for the training of Delegates of the Word and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion.

Exile
The religious persecution carried out by the criminal Sandinista government forced me into exile in Costa Rica on July 9, 2023, where I was appointed Parochial Vicar of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish—the Cathedral of the Diocese of Limón. I subsequently relocated my residence to the United States, arriving at St. Ann Parish in Haines City, within the Diocese of Orlando, FL, where I dedicated myself to study, prayer, the apostolate of music, and the care of the sick. After serving for a few weeks as Parochial Vicar of Resurrection Parish—beginning last March—I have now been appointed Parochial Vicar of St. Isaac Jogues Parish.