Holy Spirit Retreat Center - Encino

Holy Spirit Retreat Center - Encino Holy Spirit Retreat Center, as a chartered ministry of the Sisters of Social Service, is rooted in Scripture and the spirit of St. Benedict.

Our Retreat Center

Have your next retreat, conference, workshop, or seminar at Holy Spirit Retreat Center. You will find our warm comfortable facility a pleasant change from the conventional hotel providing an inviting, open atmosphere of hospitality is our most important offering. Complete Facilities:

The Center has all of the important attributes, which identify a successful conference center.

•Meeting rooms for groups of 10 to 150
•Beautiful dining room serving attractive healthy meals
•Gracious, helpful staff
•Overnight accommodations for up to 48
•Free, on-site parking
•Lovely gardens and grounds for outside activities

Accommodations:
The Center is open 7 days a week and can be used for activities, which last a few hours, a day, or a week. Our new overnight facilities feature 24 double room, each with a private bath, heat and air conditioning. We have 6 bedrooms that fully accessible for our handicapped guests. Our dining room can seat 150 persons and our staff can accommodate most dietary needs. Please contact us any time for more information

History:
Holy Spirit Retreat Center was founded by the Sisters of Social Service of Los Angeles at the request of Archbishop Cantwell in the early 1930's. It was the first retreat center for women in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and it was located in the mid-Wilshire district. In 1969 the Center was moved to its current location in Encino, CA. From 1950 until 1969, the Encino property was used as a place of formation for women who felt called to the Sisters of Social Service. Because of its location and the beauty of the grounds, the Center began to expand in its new surroundings. Weekend retreats for women continued but extensive outreach was done to offer support and a place of peace to the divorced, widowed, single parents, and disabled. In the early 70's, we were approached by Rabbi Maller from Temple Akiba in Culver City. He was inquiring as to whether or not our Center would be open to hosting a Jewish Marriage Encounter Weekend. We said "yes" and the rest is history! Our story as Sisters of Social Service is very connected to the Jewish people. We were founded in Budapest, Hungary in 1923 and were involved with housing Jewish families and individuals during the N**i invasion. The experience with Temple Akiba provided an opportunity for us to be very intentional in our future mission and ministry. While we have always maintained our Catholic roots and tradition and our Benedictine charism, it is our desire to provide an atmosphere of peace and hospitality to all people. We welcome the interfaith community and those of "no faith". We ask only that there is respect and regard amid the differences.

2009 marked our 40th anniversary in Encino. Approximately 17,000 people of all ages and backgrounds visit us each year to refresh their spirits and to soak in the quiet and wooded beauty of this place.

04/05/2026
FREEDOM TO CHANGE-ALEXANDER TECHNIQUEFacilitators: Barbara Wegher-Thompson & Seth Wegher-ThompsonSaturday, April 11, 9:0...
04/04/2026

FREEDOM TO CHANGE-ALEXANDER TECHNIQUE

Facilitators: Barbara Wegher-Thompson & Seth Wegher-Thompson

Saturday, April 11, 9:00 am-5:00 pm

"Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?"
1 Corinthians 6:19

The Alexander Technique is a method of rediscovering natural balance, ease, and poise through thinking in activity. Alexander technique brings one to the awareness of how to use the least effort needed throughout our body in relationship to the goals of any given moment of our lives. The result is a unity of Mind, Body, Environment, and Intention. It is not an exercise regime. The Alexander Technique is an educational method that teaches how to improve one’s posture, balance, and coordination by changing poor postural habits. AT helps relieve chronic tension, stress, and stiffness; improve alertness; and positively affect the outcome of any goal. It can be applied to both daily activities (such as sitting, standing, walking, and lifting) as well as specialized activities (such as public speaking, singing, dancing, exercising, playing an instrument).

Please wear clothing that will be comfortable for movement. If you have a yoga mat, please bring it with you. We will have some to use if you don’t have one. This workshop is a wonderful introduction for beginners as well as a refresher for those who are familiar with AT. www.ATWest.net

Fee: $65 with lunch; $55 without lunch

Please register online: at www.hsrcenter.com with a $10 non-refundable deposit by April 4.

For more information: please contact Sr. Marie at 818 815-4496.

FLUTE CIRCLE: NATIVE AMERICAN FLUTESunday, April 121-3pmThe Voice Inside You“Listen to the voice inside you; she is wait...
04/04/2026

FLUTE CIRCLE: NATIVE AMERICAN FLUTE
Sunday, April 12
1-3pm

The Voice Inside You
“Listen to the voice inside you; she is waiting to be found. Once you’ve heard that sound inside you, you will always stand your ground.”―Chloe Goodchild, The Naked Voice: Transform Your Life through the Power of Sound

Our flute circle is focused on the Native American flute. We come together to share and improvise with our flutes and other instruments. Even if you have never played an instrument
before, our members will help you find that voice inside you.

COME JOIN US IN MAKING MUSIC WITH
FLUTES, DRUMS, SHAKERS, HARMONICAS.

Registration is not necessary.
For more information: contact Sr. Chris Machado at 818 815 4480.

CONTEMPLATIVE CREATIVITY WEEKENDCreate Your “In•Sight Portal™”Where Art Journaling, Collage,and Morning Pages Meet Facil...
04/04/2026

CONTEMPLATIVE CREATIVITY WEEKEND
Create Your “In•Sight Portal™”
Where Art Journaling, Collage,
and Morning Pages Meet

Facilitator: Chantel Zimmerman
Friday, April 24, 5 pm to Sunday, April 26, 1 pm

Photo by Estee Janssens, Unsplash

Creating an In•Sight Portal™ offers a contemplative-creativity journey that is about process, not product. The practice leans into creative play, inner awareness, insights, color, line, texture, patterns and fun. You enter the portal with intention, center yourself, and engage your senses, trusting that your inner self knows what it needs and wants to share with you.

On this journey of self-discovery through contemplative-creativity you are having a conversation with yourself. The In•Sight Portal offers a space to be you, with you; you trusting you. If you are creatively curious, open-minded and willing to explore using artistic tools like collage, art journaling, painting, and doodling, along with journaling, meditating and deep listening practices, then this weekend is for you! Various creativity techniques will be offered throughout the retreat as you create your “In•Sight Portal™”, part art journal, part morning pages, part junk journal, and part sketchbook. The In•Sight Portal™ offers a space to explore, play, reflect and capture creative moments. You will learn the In•Sight Portal™ method, initiate your portal, and have a process to continue to work with upon returning home.

No artistic or creative experience is necessary; everyone can create and In•Sight Portal™. You will be inspired and through that inspiration you will create something meaningful and beautiful that speaks to your heart by expressing what is in your soul. All materials will be provided. The weekend will include creative time, quiet time, personal time, and interactive time. You will come away from this experience renewed, inspired, and with a personal practice to deepen your spiritual growth and evolution.

Fee: $450 private room (includes meals and materials fee)
$350 commuter (includes meals and materials fee)

Register on our website: www.hsrcenter.com with a non-refundable deposit of $50 by April 17.

For more information call Sr. Marie at 818 815-4496

RECEIVING THE GIFT OF ANGERHow to Diffuse the Bomb(with others and in ourselves) Facilitator: Sage Knight, Non-violent c...
04/04/2026

RECEIVING THE GIFT OF ANGER
How to Diffuse the Bomb
(with others and in ourselves)

Facilitator: Sage Knight, Non-violent communication trainer
Saturday, April 26, 10am-3pm

Has Anger ever gotten the best of you… and brought out the worst?
Most of us have never been taught how to find genuine connection in an experience of anger. Instead, we learn to stuff, manage or sublimate this potent energy. What if you could transform this sometimes volatile and often misunderstood emotion, and begin to live on friendlier terms with anger as a powerful ally?
From road rage to political outrage, anger has an important purpose and holds a hidden, life-affirming gift. In this informative and experiential mini retreat, you will be guided through a simple, profound practice that can help you discover, unwrap and receive the gift of anger, and thus transform how you relate with anyone—including yourself.

Fee: $75 with lunch; $65 without lunch (materials fee included)

Register on our website www.hsrcenter.com with your $10 deposit by April 22.

For more information contact Sr. Marie at 818 814-4496 or www.sageknight.com

HOLY WEEK RETREATLiving as Disciple of Jesus,our Teacher and KingSunday, March 29, 5 pm Check IntoSunday, April 5, 11:00...
02/20/2026

HOLY WEEK RETREAT
Living as Disciple of Jesus,
our Teacher and King

Sunday, March 29, 5 pm Check In
to
Sunday, April 5, 11:00 am

Presenter: Fr. Felix Just, SJ
Photo by Tim Mossholder, Unsplash

The Gospels are just as relevant for us today as when they were written almost 2000 years ago. Jesus is still calling us to be his faithful disciples, to learn from him and to put his wisdom into practice in our daily lives.

Throughout 2026 we hear readings from the Gospel according to Matthew at most Sunday Masses, so in this retreat we will reflect on select passages from Matthew that can inspire us to live the Gospel message even more faithfully. Holy Week is a perfect time to step back from our daily routines, reflect more deeply on God's Word, and reconnect with our Lord in personal and communal prayer.

This retreat includes daily conferences, liturgical celebrations, and plenty of time for individual prayer and meditation, as well as delicious meals and opportunities to be renewed by the Holy Spirit in the Retreat Center's beautiful grounds. The week culminates with the celebration of the Easter Triduum liturgies, from the Mass of the Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday to the Easter Vigil.

Fee: $1000.00 per person / single occupancy
$900.00 per person / shared occupancy
$600.00 commuter

Register online at: www.hsrcenter.com by March 16 with a non-refundable deposit of $50.00.

For more information: please call Sr. Chris at [email protected] or call 818-815-4480.

WOMEN AT THE WELLTuesdays: February 10, March 10, April 14, May 1210:00 am -12:00 noonFacilitators: Sr. Chris Machado an...
02/04/2026

WOMEN AT THE WELL

Tuesdays: February 10, March 10, April 14, May 12
10:00 am -12:00 noon

Facilitators: Sr. Chris Machado and the Women at the Well Team

Our Women at the Well Group has become a long-standing institution at Holy Spirit Retreat Center, with over 20 years of history! We gather monthly for silent reflection, group discussion, mutual support, and good conversation! We offer both onsite gatherings and zoom for those who cannot attend in person. We are continuing with the book, Chrones Don’t Whine. If you have a copy, bring it. If you don’t, you can order it from Amazon, Thriftbooks, or other online order platforms. Our journey together will include prayer, ritual, music, quiet reflection, small group sharing, Tai Chi, and lots of fun! Lunch is provided for an additional $10.00 for those who wish to stay and enjoy some additional time together. New women are always welcome! Come join us around the well!

Suggested donation: $10.00 (additional $10 for lunch)

For more information: contact Sr. Chris at [email protected] or call 818 815-4480.

Happy New Year!!
01/01/2026

Happy New Year!!

Winter solstice labyrinth walk last night … 🕯️🙏🧎‍♀️‍➡️
12/23/2025

Winter solstice labyrinth walk last night … 🕯️🙏🧎‍♀️‍➡️

Finding peace.
12/18/2025

Finding peace.

10/16/2025

Flute Harvest at HSRC Encino. Peggy’s amazing flute playing by the fountain. She graces us always.

Address

4316 Lanai Road
Los Angeles, CA
91436

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+18187844515

Website

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