Great Expectations: An Advent Retreat Series

The Advent season is a time to take stock, to clean house, to prepare a place for God to erupt into the center of our lives and change our hearts once more.  Walk with fellow pilgrims through the movements of this sacred season of waiting and expectation to discover the God that is always with us even and especially when we forget or lose our way. 

This 3-week series will trace the themes of Advent through scripture, story, ritual and spiritual conversation to discover anew the source of our longings and expectations. 

Week 1 – Hope (December 2) – With the Prophet Isaiah we climb the Lord’s mountain to contemplate the great dream of God for us and our world and discover ways that we can hold onto the great hope of this vision when we return.

Week 2 – Peace (December 9) – Isaiah offers a vision of profound peace, an expectant gift deeply needed in our world.  This peace is full of passion for justice, for restored right relationships and for a people ready to walk this path together.  Join us as we take our next step together in this journey.

Week 3 – Joy (December 16) – Just when you think that the work of discipleship is too overwhelming or the way too dark or frightening, God bursts in with an exuberant joy, a rejoicing at the greatness of who we are and what our common destiny calls us to become.  It is the greatest joy ever known and it is freely given to all who seek.  Together we will celebrate what is being born in us this season. 

About the Presenter:

Robert Choiniere, D.Min, currently serves as the Executive Director for Ministries for the Sisters of St. Joseph in Orange, CA and is the founder and Executive Director of Ignatian Encounter Ministry, a virtual platform for global Conversations in the Spirit and CiS facilitator training. 

Bob was a professor of theology at Fordham University in New York City and recently returned from a sabbatical at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome where he studied synodality and assisted in the preparations for the Synod on Synodality. 

He has an extensive background in pastoral planning and ecclesial consultation serving as the Director of Pastoral Planning in the Diocese of Brooklyn and Parish Pastoral Council Coordinator in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, West Virginia.  He is also the former chair of the Conference of Pastoral Planning and Council Development (CPPCD).   He is the recipient of the CPPCD Yves Congar Award for Excellence in Pastoral Planning. He is also a founding member and former Managing Director of Stages on the Sound, Inc., a non-profit theatre education company serving Catholic elementary schools in New York and surrounding dioceses. 

Robert holds a Doctor of Ministry from Fordham University, an MA in Pastoral Ministry from Boston College and a BA in Theology and Theatre from DeSales University and a post-doctoral diploma in Leadership and Management from the Pontifical Gregorian University. He is the author of The Engaged Parish: A Practical Guide to Creating a Community of Spiritual Discernment and is a regular daily reflection contributor to Give Us This Day.  He is also the Creator of the interview-based play Full of Grace: Faith Journeys of LGBT Catholics.