Now Hiring
Benet House Director
POSTED AUGUST 28, 2025
Benet House Retreat Center is owned and operated by the Sisters of St. Benedict at St. Mary Monastery, Rock Island, Illinois. It is located on 90 acres with walking paths, a wooded area, a lake and an abundance of wildlife. Benet House is seeking a full-time Director who is responsible for all operations, including programming retreats throughout the year.
Benet House ‘welcomes each person as Christ’ (RB) and is open to all faiths. The applicant must have at least 3 years’ experience in retreat ministry and open to a flexible schedule to accommodate retreats.
Applicants must submit a cover letter along with their resume. The cover letter should speak to your qualifications and leadership experience. Please send to:
Sr. Roberta Bussan, OSB
Director of Benet House Retreat Center
2200 88 th Ave. W.
Rock Island, IL 61201
Or email to: rbussan@smmsisters.org
Current Retreats
Weekly on Tuesdays: September 8th, 2026
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Lectio Divina is the foundation for Benedictine prayer. Consider making it a steady prayer in your life.
Weekly on Wednesdays: September 9th, 2026
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Join others in a weekly practice of this method for fostering a deeper relationship with God.
Boundless Compassion unpacks the Christian understanding of compassion with Jesus as our model. This includes teachings from other world religions, that are incorporated in our understanding of Boundless Compassion.
Trained facilitators lead this 3-part hybrid retreat that teaches practical ways to be a compassionate presence. An individual can just attend the weekend and not the virtual gatherings.
2nd and 4th Monday of Each Month: September 14th, 2026
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Read, reflect, pray, and share with other committed Christians seeking to grow through the challenges of Scripture in everyday life.
Weekly on Tuesdays: September 15th, 2026
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Lectio Divina is the foundation for Benedictine prayer. Consider making it a steady prayer in your life.
Weekly on Wednesdays: September 16th, 2026
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Join others in a weekly practice of this method for fostering a deeper relationship with God.
Meets 3rd Thursdays of the month, 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Virtual - All skill levels are welcome to join in the monthly ‘mini-retreat’ focused on connecting with the Divine through poetry.
The Benedictine Sisters at St. Mary Monastery will hold their annual outdoor prayer service to celebrate the Season of Creation marked during the month of September. No registration necessary.
Weekly on Tuesdays: September 22nd, 2026
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Lectio Divina is the foundation for Benedictine prayer. Consider making it a steady prayer in your life.
Weekly on Wednesdays: September 23rd, 2026
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Join others in a weekly practice of this method for fostering a deeper relationship with God.
2nd and 4th Monday of Each Month: September 28th, 2026
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Read, reflect, pray, and share with other committed Christians seeking to grow through the challenges of Scripture in everyday life.
Weekly on Tuesdays: September 29th, 2026
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Lectio Divina is the foundation for Benedictine prayer. Consider making it a steady prayer in your life.
Weekly on Wednesdays: September 30th, 2026
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Join others in a weekly practice of this method for fostering a deeper relationship with God.
Central Illinois and Mississippi Valley Contemplative Outreach invite you to retreat into silence. We will center, experience Lectio Divina, and learn insightful methods of listening from Abbot Joseph Boyle of St. Benedict’s Monastery.
A minimum of 3 months centering prayer practice is required to attend.
Join Sr. Bobbi in discussing Richard Rohr’s newest book, The Tears of Things. It is a great way to bring the Old Testament prophets into our lives today. This is a 5-session series. While the chapters are short, the reflection on the material brings depth to the discussions. This series will use the book, CAC videos, reflection questions, and chapter highlights to provide insight and discussion.
2nd and 4th Monday of Each Month: October 12th, 2026
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Read, reflect, pray, and share with other committed Christians seeking to grow through the challenges of Scripture in everyday life.
Meets 3rd Thursdays of the month, 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Virtual - All skill levels are welcome to join in the monthly ‘mini-retreat’ focused on connecting with the Divine through poetry.
We heal relationships through art, love, and deep silence. Otto Rank calls this mystical union. In our quest for community and communication, through ritual we gather to give thanks, grieve, and celebrate our sacred existence. Building on his own insights and other philosophers, Matthew Fox will lead us on a journey of transformative nonviolence.
If you are unable to attend this retreat live, you will receive the recording link.
2nd and 4th Monday of Each Month: October 26th, 2026
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Read, reflect, pray, and share with other committed Christians seeking to grow through the challenges of Scripture in everyday life.
In this special program, reflecting on the life, works and thought of Archbishop Sheen, we have the opportunity to be led to a deeper relationship with God. Renewing and strengthening our relationship with God provides us with inspiration and wisdom to serve all within our daily life.
2nd and 4th Monday of Each Month: November 9th, 2026
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Read, reflect, pray, and share with other committed Christians seeking to grow through the challenges of Scripture in everyday life.
Savor this silent, directed retreat. Get away and make time to discover how you are connected to the Vine, to Jesus. Meet daily with a spiritual director and reflect on what it means to abide and what is needed to make good fruit.
Meets 3rd Thursdays of the month, 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Virtual - All skill levels are welcome to join in the monthly ‘mini-retreat’ focused on connecting with the Divine through poetry.
2nd and 4th Monday of Each Month: November 23rd, 2026
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Read, reflect, pray, and share with other committed Christians seeking to grow through the challenges of Scripture in everyday life.
We know so little of Mary’s life, only a few passages on Mary are in the Bible. The Gospel of Luke does contain several experiences of Mary. Join this retreat and take 24 hours to ‘hide’ away into the quiet. This is an opportunity to ponder the birth of Jesus, our Savior, through the eyes of His Mother, Mary.
Silence, Stillness, and Holy Rest
24 Hours in Advent
As the Christmas season approaches, our hearts often long for something deeper than the rushed pace and full calendars—something quieter, gentler, and more aligned with the true meaning of Advent: waiting, listening, and making room for Christ.
2nd and 4th Monday of Each Month: December 14th, 2026
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Read, reflect, pray, and share with other committed Christians seeking to grow through the challenges of Scripture in everyday life.
Meets 3rd Thursdays of the month, 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Virtual - All skill levels are welcome to join in the monthly ‘mini-retreat’ focused on connecting with the Divine through poetry.
2nd and 4th Monday of Each Month: January 11th, 2027
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Read, reflect, pray, and share with other committed Christians seeking to grow through the challenges of Scripture in everyday life.
This yearly retreat provides time for silence, daily Eucharist, an opportunity for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, daily spiritual direction, Centering Prayer/Lectio, and a focus on the Sunday Gospel.
Meets 3rd Thursdays of the month, 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Virtual - All skill levels are welcome to join in the monthly ‘mini-retreat’ focused on connecting with the Divine through poetry.
2nd and 4th Monday of Each Month: January 25th, 2027
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Read, reflect, pray, and share with other committed Christians seeking to grow through the challenges of Scripture in everyday life.
2nd and 4th Monday of Each Month: February 8th, 2027
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Read, reflect, pray, and share with other committed Christians seeking to grow through the challenges of Scripture in everyday life.
Pope Francis was passionate about Christ and His Church; an advocate for peace and justice especially to the marginalized; and compassionate towards every person he met. Join Sr. Bobbi for a 3-part series which remembers Pope Francis by reflecting on his writing and papal documents.
Benet House Retreat Center
Tour Benet House
Explore the Benet House Retreat Center online before planning your visit!
Spiritual Direction
Our Spiritual Directors are happy to meet with you via Zoom or phone call!
Retreat Testimonials
“Many thanks for your hospitality. It was a blessing to spend time here – to walk the meadow and pray with the sisters.”
“I always feel at home when I’m here and miss you when I am gone. This place and your folks have a piece of my heart.”
“This time was restorative for my body, mind and spirit. It was a creative and spiritually produce experience. Thanks so much.”
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Retreats Team
Pictured here: Lorene Knobbe, Sr. Jackie Walsh, and Sr. Bobbi Bussan
Sr. Bobbi Bussan - Director
Sister Bobbi Bussan, OSB, serves as Subprioress of St. Mary Monastery and Director of Benet House Retreat Center, and holds a Masters of Religious Education from St. Meinrad School of Theology. She has been a member of the Sisters of St. Benedict, St. Mary Monastery since 1979 and also serves as Co-Chair of the American Association of Benedictine Retreat Centers.
Sr. Jackie Walsh - Administrative Assistant
Sister Jackie Walsh, OSB, serves as Administrative Assistant at the Benet House Retreat Center, and holds a Bachelor of Science from Illinois State University. She has been a member of the Sisters of St. Benedict, St. Mary Monastery since 2008 and earned her Certificate in Spiritual Direction from the Spiritual Guidance Training Program in Racine, WI.
Lorene Knobbe - Assistant Director
Lorene Knobbe is the Assistant Program Director at Benet House Retreat Center. She also serves as a spiritual director.