Bridges Foundation

Award-winning Ignatian author Eric Clayton will be in conversation with Executive Director Steve Givens. Clayton’s most recent book is “Finding Peace Here and Now: How Ignatian Spirituality Leads Us to Healing and Wholeness,” and this July 17-18 he will lead Bridges 2026 Ignatian Community Retreat at Pallottine Retreat and Conference Center. The theme of the retreat is, “From Warrior to Peacemaker: How Ignatius of Loyola Can Guide Us Today.”

Long-time Bridges Prayer Companion and Site Coordinator Carol Brescia will be in conversation with Executive Director Steve Givens about praying the Third Week of the Spiritual Exercises and walking with Jesus in his passion and suffering – an Ignatian approach to Holy Week.

In honor of Women’s History Month, Bridges prayer companion and Magis small group facilitator Mary White and former retreatant Dee Wiecher will be in conversation with Bridges Executive Director Steve Givens, discussing the long history of women in the development of Ignatian spirituality and the Spiritual Exercises over the past 500 years.

Fr. Mark McKenzie, SJ, long-time Jesuit priest, spiritual director and friend and advisor to the Bridges community, will be in conversation with Bridges Executive Director Steve Givens, discussing his long history of Jesuit ministry and an Ignatian approach to the upcoming season of lent.

Christy Hicks Aydt, Regional Director of the Ignatian Volunteer Corps in the St. Louis Region, and Christi Franko-Torack, an IVC service corps member and current Bridges retreatant, will be in conversation with Bridges Executive Director Steve Givens, discussing the power and impact of those involved in the Ignatian Volunteer Corps.
 
The Ignatian Volunteer Corps (IVC) invites women and men ages 50 and over to work two days a week in direct service to the poor. Volunteers gather monthly for prayer and reflection, meet regularly with a spiritual reflector, and enjoy retreats and social gatherings throughout the year.

As we enter into the Advent season, Bridges prayer companions Kate Stroble and Martha Broyles will discuss the power of contemplating the Incarnation and Nativity with Bridges Executive Director Steve Givens.

For this season of Thanksgiving, Executive Director Steve Givens will lead a conversation with Bridges prayer companions Marian Love and Karen Siebenberger about the power of the Examen in leading us to gratitude.

Recent young adult Bridges retreatants Christina, Kristin, and Jenny share their experiences of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola with Bridges Executive Director Steve Givens.