Need a break and a chance to slow down?
Craving some downtime with God?
Looking for a peaceful getaway with a community of fellow single Catholics who “get” you?
This retreat is for you.
Located an hour outside Philadelphia, in the rolling hills of Pennsylvania, the St. Mary of Providence Retreat Center is home to an historic mansion (where we’ll have all our meals, and some accommodations), as well as a retreat center (with further accommodations), plus two chapels and extensive outdoor grounds. It’s a perfect place to get away and connect with Our Lord in a deeper way, while enjoying connection and community.
Retreat Registration (ends November 1st): $897
*Single-room supplement +$400
GENERAL ITINERARY:
Retreat begins with dinner on Thursday, November 12th and ends Sunday, November 15th with lunch. (All accommodations and meals are included.)
Thursday: Check-in: 4pm-5:30pm (Dinner at 5:30pm)
Sunday: Departure: 1pm-2pm (Lunch at Noon)
Please note: There is the option to come a night early (Wednesday, November 11th) and participate in a pre-retreat excursion on Thursday morning/afternoon or have an extra personal retreat day at the retreat house.
Fr. James Otto
Father Otto was born in Sacred Heart Hospital in Allentown, PA. Amazingly, he was born wearing a Roman collar. His Vocation was very clear from the beginning. Sacred Heart is true; obviously, the collar part is not. Father does remember the exact moment however that he first thought that he might be called to be a priest. He was 22 years old, working as a chemical engineer and praying about whether he was meant to marry a girl he had met at Penn State. At the time he was at an international Marian Shrine and he thought, “Maybe Mary is calling me to be a priest!?” Mary was calling him, and he left his job as a sales engineer and went into St. Charles Seminary in August 1991, and was ordained a priest in 1997. Father was excited about being a priest in 1997, and he is just as excited, if not more, about it in 2026. He delights in nothing more than bringing Jesus to people and people to Jesus. He loves his assignment at St. John Fisher and his role in the Regional School of Holy Family and he looks forward to serving here for many years to come.
Sister Mary Stephen
Sr. Mary Stephen has been a nun for over 28 years and was one of the foundresses of her monastery. In honoring her desire to follow God’s call beyond the walls of her monastery, the competent Church authorities have granted her this precious time away. In accordance with her superior’s wishes, she is currently financially independent from the monastery, and as such, her work remains separate from the monastery’s apostolates.
She is using this time to pursue further education and deepen her personal healing journey—gifts she is now sharing with others. Most recently, she founded Restorative Catholic—a holistic ministry dedicated to inner healing and human flourishing. Through this work, she primarily offers Zoom-based courses featuring Catholic Somatic Exercises, along with one-on-one coaching.
She holds a B.A. in Psychology and Social Behavior from the University of California, Irvine (UCI), and has completed several specialized training programs. These include a certifications as a Biology of Trauma Professional, with Trauma Healing Accelerated (THA), Integrative Somatic Trauma Therapy, Somatic Stress Release and Somatic EMDR with Embody Lab; Parts Work Fundamentals (IFS) with Dr. Gerry Crete; and Catholic Coaching Fundamentals with Metanoia Catholic.
She enjoys teaching this ground-up approach through Virtual Somatic Pilgrimages, which weave together somatic practices, parts work, and the richness of the Catholic faith.
French Creek State Park @ 20 minutes from the Retreat House
Thursday, November 12th – morning and/or afternoon
Time: TBA
Overview:
Enjoy the fall colors with some hiking and fellowship before the retreat. Details TBA
Transportation:
Thursday, November 12
9:30 AM – 3:30 PM (subject to alteration)
Overview:
Almost 50 years ago, the Calandra family founded the National Centre for Padre Pio after their own daughter was miraculously healed by the blessed saint. Now recognized by the Holy See for its work, the National Centre continues to spread the message of the life, wounds, words and works of Padre Pio. An exhibit on Purgatory, Heaven and Hell will be on display at that time.
Logistics:
Transportation and Costs:
Thursday, November 12
9:15 AM – 4:00 PM
Overview:
An amazing, Broadway-style show, allowing us to meet JOSHUA, straight from the pages of scripture, Live and In-Person Thursday morning at 11:00! Bus trips come from all over the USA and Canada to this amazing, one-of-a-kind bible theater. Many experienced theater lovers have said its better than Broadway because it’s a smaller, newly built theater designed for maximum visibility, where performances are immersive in design. Prepare to be swept-up into the life and times of real life JOSHUA from our Catholic history!
Join other NCSC singles as we check out the amazing and world famous Sight And Sound Theater in Lancaster, PA, followed by a local lunch after the show (separate purchase required to pay for your own lunch, on separate checks, on our way back to the NCSC Retreat).
Logistics:
Transportation:
Lancaster County
Sunday, November 15
1:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Overview:
A guided visit through an authentic Amish village, including a farmhouse, school, and grounds. Participants will gain insight into the simplicity, faith, and traditions of Amish life—offering a reflective close to the retreat experience. (Note, this listing is for the basic farmhouse and village tour (not the bus tour), due to the timeframe.)
Logistics:
Transportation:
Malvern, PA
Sunday, November 15
1:30 PM – 5:00 PM
Overview:
The National Catholic Singles group will be met on Sunday Nov 15th for an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the Saint Carlo Acutis Shrine, located in the quiet countryside of Chester County, Pennsylvania.
With 125-acres of walking paths in the rolling hills of this beautiful woodland escape, you’re sure to find countless sacred spaces, private chapels, shrines, grottos, and of course the amazing creek-side grotto to our Immaculate Mother. Malvern Retreat House is also known around the world as Saint Joseph’s in The Hills, the oldest continuously operating Catholic retreat grounds in America. Come and learn about Saint Carlo Acutis here, where Saint Carlo’s mother comes to visit and pray when she is in the US.
Logistics:
Transportation:
King of Prussia, PA
Sunday, November 15th
Time: 1:30pm – 5:00pm
Overview:
Enjoy the fall colors with some hiking and fellowship after the retreat. Valley Forge National Historical Park is open year-round, has no entrance fees, and welcomes around two million visitors each year. Historic buildings, statues and monuments, and 35 miles of trails can be found in this beautiful 3,500-acre landscape.
Logistics:
Transportation:
Subscribe to our newsletter to receive updates.
More details coming soon!
