Retreats

Silence

It is in silence that the soul hears the voice of God. In fact, “God waits for our silence to reveal Himself.” (Cardinal Robert Sarah) We live as much as possible in a spirit of listening silence and fraternal charity. We encourage our guests to enter into that life-giving silence while at the retreat center and to respect the silence of others. The chapel is a place of reverent silence in the Presence of the Eucharistic Lord. Also, the time following Compline (Night Prayer) until after Morning Prayer is a time of a deeper level of silence for both staff and guests.

Our Lady of Annunciation Chapel

Our Lady of Annunciation Chapel, where the Blessed Sacrament is reserved, is located in the Community Building and is open at all hours for private prayer unless liturgies are scheduled. Eucharistic Adoration is announced on the daily schedule.

Daily Liturgical Schedule

6:00 AM Adoration & Office of Readings

7:00 AM Morning Prayer

TBA Holy Mass (Depending upon priest availability; no resident priest at The Sycamore Tree at the present time.)

3:00 PM Divine Mercy Chaplet

5:30 PM Evening Prayer

8:00 PM Holy Hour with Rosary

9:00 PM Night Prayer - Retire - Silence

This is the normal daily schedule. Please check the schedule posted in the Community Building entry for any changes.

Daily Mass

Unless announced otherwise, daily mass is offered in our Annunciation Chapel as given above, when a priest is available. For other devotions, please see the daily schedule posted in the Community Building entry. Sunday Mass is celebrated during the summer months at our local church, Our Lady of Swan Valley Mission, 201 East Beck Road, near Condon on Highway 83 (between milemarkers 47 & 48; drive 0.1 mile east on East Beck Road.)

Self-Directed Retreats

The center is available to individuals who would like to spend time in solitude and prayer. We have excellent resources available at the retreat center, and there are many good resources available on-line.

Conferences & Days of Recollection

The Sycamore Tree occasionally provides Catholic conferences and days of recollection. Details on these offerings are located on the EVENTS PAGE.

Group Retreats

The retreat center is available to Catholic groups who utilize the facilities for their own private retreats. Such groups often provide their own priest and/or retreat master. Please contact the director, Michelle Jenkins, to make arrangements for a group retreat.

Day Retreats

The Sycamore Tree is also available for those who would like to have a personal day of recollection. Please email or call ahead to arrange a visit.

Cabin Facilities

1. BETHANY

Handicapped Accessible

One full bed

Suggested Donation:

One occupant    $80.00/night

Two occupants  $90.00/night

2. OUR LADY OF SOLITUDE

One twin bed plus one trundle twin bed

Suggested Donation:

One occupant    $70.00/night

Two occupants  $80.00/night

3. ST. FRANCIS

One full bed

Suggested Donation:

One occupant    $70.00/night

Two occupants  $80.00/night

4.GETHSEMANE

One full bed

Suggested Donation:

One occupant    $70.00/night

Two occupants  $80.00/night

5. Transfiguration

One full bed

Suggested Donation:

One occupant    $70.00/night

Two occupants  $80.00/night

6. Beatitudes

One twin bed

Suggested Donation:

One occupant  $70.00/night

7. Nazareth

One twin bed in each of two rooms

Suggested Donation:

One occupant    $70.00/night

Two occupants  $80.00/night

Meals

Guests are asked to provide their own meals.   The cabins have full kitchenettes for that purpose, and having meals in the solitude of the retreat cabin also helps the retreatant remain in a recollected spirit.   We have a well-stocked grocery store nearby in the Swan Valley for supplies and are happy to provide any needed amenities from our pantry.   Guests who may want to have supper and a time of sharing in the community dining room may make arrangements by request with the director.   Cost per meal: $10.

Transportation

See information about air travel, car rental, and driving directions on the LOCATION/CONTACT page.

Arrival

Guests are asked to arrive between 12:00 noon and 5:00 PM, if possible. Please see the SITE MAP at the front gate post and ring the buzzer to announce your arrival. A staff member will welcome you with a brief orientation tour and cabin assignment.

Parking

To preserve an undisturbed atmosphere at the retreat center, we ask guests to park in the parking area outside the gate unless they have mobility limitations. Loading and unloading of vehicles is permitted at the cabins. In winter conditions, vehicle access to the cabins is limited.

Phone Service

The retreat cabins do not have telephones, internet service or any electronics. Cell phone service is limited. If you should need to make or receive a phone call during your stay, you are welcome to use the phone in the Community Building kitchen.

Internet Service

Wireless internet service is available in the Community Building. We encourage guests to “unplug” and enter into silence while on retreat.

Community Building Services

Our Lady of the Annunciation Chapel

Sacristy/Priest Guest Room

Retreat Center Office - Staff members only

Community Room - a gathering room used for small conferences, immediately adjoining the chapel

Discipleship Bookshop - a small Catholic bookshop where spiritual books can be purchased

Kitchen/Dining Room - this area is available to guests

Grounds

We are located in the foothills of the Mission Mountains on private land adjoining thousands of acres of National Forest Service land in which to roam and ponder. We are at an elevation of about 3500 feet. Note: you will not find a sycamore tree (Platanus occidentalis) in these woods. The forest trees include fir, pine, aspen, larch, spruce and birch sheltering a variety of native wildflowers.

The retreat center has gravel road and walking surfaces with some uneven terrain. Some uphill walking is required from the cabins to the Community Building.

What to Bring for a Retreat

Bring your Bible, a journal, some spiritual reading and even your own pillow, if you like. Weather can be variable; evenings may be cool, even in the summer months. So, you will want to bring a jacket, hat and clothes to layer. Sturdy shoes are recommended.

Pets

The Sycamore Tree is not able to accommodate pets.

No Smoking, Please

The retreat center is a tobacco-free facility.

Guest Information Booklet

A guest information booklet with this information and more is available in each cabin.

At the End of Your Stay

In order to keep retreat center cost affordable for all, before leaving please strip your bed and gather sheets/towels into a pillowcase and leave the bundle by the cabin door. Please empty the refrigerator and gather the trash and leave it near the linens for pickup. We ask all able-bodied guests to clean and leave their cabin ready for the next guest.

Please sign the guestbook in the Community Building entry hall where you can also leave your donation envelope in the “alms dish”. We would be glad to have your address, phone number and email address. We pray for our retreatants and benefactors daily. We are grateful for your prayers and financial support to help us continue our mission.

“Out of silence and solitude, a new man is born in Christ Jesus!”   

Retreatant