A Mary and Elizabeth Women’s Retreat
UW Newman Center
May 30 & 31, 2025
$85 for the weekend*
Flourish
We invite you to join the Mary and Elizabeth Ministry for our annual women’s retreat featuring Dr. Mary Ruth Hackett and Sister Daniela Bennett, OP. The retreat will kick off Friday evening. We will return to the UW Newman Center on Saturday for a full day together. We look forward to experiencing the Lord through the sacraments, prayer, adoration, and fellowship!
*Thank you to our generous donors who have helped subsidize this retreat! Assistance is available for those facing financial barriers to attending. Please contact us using the e-mail address below for more information.
Questions?
Email maryelizabeth@bspwa.org or review our information below.
About the Retreat
Step into a deeper relationship with your Heavenly Father and discover His transformative love inviting you to a life of grace as His beloved daughter. Flourish is a retreat designed to help you embrace God's original design for your life — a life of grace, integrity, fulfillment, and joy.
We will explore how to cultivate a more intentional, trusting relationship with God, overcoming obstacles to grace, and learning to live in the love and trust He desires for you. Let go of what hinders you, say “yes” to His will, and open your heart to the abundant grace He longs to pour into your life.
Flourish in the grace of being God’s daughter and live the life He has uniquely designed for you.
About Our Speakers
Dr. Mary Ruth Hackett is a writer, national speaker, and podcast host covering topics in psychology and faith. She holds a PhD in Educational Psychology and works at the important intersection of faith and developmental science, blending them in the original harmony God intended. Dr. Mary Ruth is the author of Daughter by Design: Discovering Your Identity as God's Beloved Daughter. She is a contributing author to Blessed is She and SpiritualDirection.com and hosts the Parenting Smarts podcast. Learn more about Mary Ruth on her website here.
Originally from Sugar Land, Texas, Sister Daniela Bennett, OP, joined the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia in Nashville, Tennessee, in 2012. Since 2017, Sister Daniela has been teaching at Our Lady Star of the Sea in Bremerton. She received a B.A. in secondary education and Theology from Benedictine College, and an M.A. in Teaching from Aquinas College. We are delighted that Sister Daniela is returning to Mary and Elizabeth to speak at our retreat!
Tentative Schedule Overview
Schedule Subject to Change
Friday, May 30
(Evening Only)
6:30pm - Check-in and Happy Hour
7:30pm - Opening Remarks
7:45pm - Session 1
8:45pm - Adoration & Confession
10:00pm - Depart
Saturday, May 31
(Full Day)
8:30am - Morning Prayer and Mass
9:30am - Coffee & Pastries
10:00am - Session 2
11:00am - Break & Optional Discussion Groups
11:30am - Open Session 1
(Confession - Book Signing)
12:30pm - Lunch
1:30pm - Session 3
2:30pm - Break & Optional Discussion Group
3:00pm - Open Session 2
(Adoration & Confession)
4:30pm - Closing Prayer & Remarks
4:45pm - Happy Hour
Transportation
Directions to the UW Newman Center:
(4502 20th Avenue NE)
From the I-5 exit (Exit 169 / NE 45th St), travel EAST on NE 45th St and then turn LEFT at 20th Ave NE. The UW Newman Center is the brick building on the corner. Please note that the UW Newman Center parking lot is reserved for our priests, speakers, and those with limited mobility. If you have limited mobility, please check the box on your registration form or email us at maryelizabeth@bspwa.org and we’ll be in touch!
Parking:
(Printable Directions HERE)
On-Site Parking: Parking Spots at Newman will be reserved for our priests, speakers, and those with limited mobility. Please check the box on your registration form or email us at maryelizabeth@bspwa.org if you would like to reserve a spot.
Paid Parking: Paid Parking is available in the nearby N05 Lot at the University of Washington.
Directions to the N05 Lot (see map below):
From the I-5 exit (Exit 169 / NE 45th St), travel EAST on NE 45th St and then turn RIGHT on Memorial Way NE at the main entrance to campus. The entrance to the N05 lot is accessed via E Stevens Way, the first left after passing the gatehouse. After parking in the UW lot, you will need to return to NE 45th St by foot, cross NE 45th St, and walk 2-3 blocks east. The UW Newman Center is located at the corner of NE 45th St and 20th Ave NE.
How to Pay in the N05 Lot at UW:
Please note that Lot N05 is “Pay By Phone” only. The N05 lot will be $6.75 on Friday and Saturday. The gatehouse will be unattended and payment must be made using the Pay By Phone app, or on the Pay by Phone website. The N05 Pay by Phone Lot Number is 123214
Free Parking: Free parking is available at Blessed Sacrament (approximately 1 mile away) for those who wish to walk or carpool.
Frequently Asked Questions
I’m not Catholic. May I still attend the retreat? You would be very welcome at the retreat! Although the talks are by a Dominican Sister and a Catholic speaker, the content is applicable to all who are trying to grow in their faith. In addition, there will be opportunities to meet other women and time set aside for prayer and/or personal reflection. You are welcome to attend as many (or as few) of the retreat sessions as you'd like.
Will food be provided at the retreat? Yes! Wine, non-alcoholic beverages, and hor d'oeuvres will be provided during happy hour on Friday and Saturday evenings. Breakfast pastries and lunch will be provided on Saturday. Please indicate any food allergies or restrictions on your registration form. We can also store some items in a refrigerator as needed. We are happy to accommodate!
I have difficulties with mobility. Is this event accessible? Most of our scheduled events will take place on the ground floor of the UW Newman Center. If you wish to go upstairs for meals, quiet reflection, or socializing, there is an elevator on-site. If you have limited mobility, please reach out to guarantee a dedicated a parking spot in the on-site lot.
May I bring my child? “Babes in arms” are welcome at the retreat! Please let us know on the registration form if you will need a mother’s room.
Should I bring anything to the retreat? Feel free to bring your journal, rosary and/or Bible for use during times of adoration or personal reflection.
Additional Questions?
Email us at:
maryelizabeth@bspwa.org