White House Retreat Office
7400 Christopher Drive
Saint Louis, MO 63129
(314) 416-6400
(800) 643-1003
FAX (314) 416-6464
Office Hours 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Office Staff
Terri BonebrakeExt. 230
Shirley HummertExt. 229
Accounting Ext. 231
Jason SmallenExt. 232
E-mail Addresses
White House Retreat
7400 Christopher Drive
Saint Louis, MO 63129
(314) 846-2575
Fr. James J. Burshek, SJExt. 203
Fr. Ralph Huse, SJExt. 204
Bro. John C. Fava, SJExt. 200
Fr. Richard E. Hadel, SJExt. 206
Fr. Ralph Huse, SJExt. 204
Fr. Leonard E. Kraus, SJExt. 226
Fr. Eugene C. Renard, SJExt. 224
Kitchen: Ext. 218
Maintenance:Ext. 211
Registration Desk:Ext. 216
Chief Expeditor
William (Bill) G. Bader
9439 SouthtowneFarms DriveHome: 314-487-4900
St. Louis, MO 63123Office: 314-957-3874
Quarterly Facilitators
January-MarchMark A. Siemer
1126 Boone StreetHome: 314-921-0527
Florissant, MO
April-JuneRobert H. Buehrle, III
14946 Royalbrook DriveHome: 636-394-6901
Chesterfield, MO
July-SeptemberJames E. Dolan
637 Charleston Oaks DriveHome: 636-207-0304
Ballwin, MO 63021Office: 314-645-0666
October-DecemberWilliam (Bill) G. Bader
9439 SouthtowneFarms DriveHome: 314-487-4900
St. Louis, MO 63123Office: 314-957-3874
Monthly Expeditors
JANUARY
Paul Fiess525 Fairview Lane(H) 314-961-9386
(1, 3)St. Louis, MO 63119(O) 314-265-5472
(C)
Charles E. Fechter2 Cheval Court(H) 314-831-5813
(2, 4)Florissant, MO 63031(O) 314-777-4980
(C)
FEBRUARY
Eugene E. Rosche’2772 Chalet Hill Drive(H) 314-846-0405
(5, 7)St. Louis, MO
(H)
(6, 8)(O)
MARCH
C. William Bischof12254 Wensley Road(H) 314-355-0037
(9, 11, 64)Florissant, MO
Stephen F. Butz3680 Bellerive Blvd.(H) 314-351-5385
(10, 12)St. Louis, MO 63116(O) 314-752-2500
APRIL
Jeffrey L. Boyer10128 Patch Road(C) 573-291-3503
(13, 15, 63M)Cadet, MO
Jerry D. Ponder410 Mission Bay Drive(C) 314-504-0997
(16, 17)Wildwood, MO
MAY
Kenneth W. Clark2 Arundel Place(H) 314-862-3252
(18, 21)St. Louis, MO 63105(O) 314-362-1520
JUNE
J. Robert Mudd, III12102 Monter Drive(H) 314-298-8326
(22, 24)Bridgeton, MO 63044(C) 314-973-5657
Charles W. Lombardo6813 Casselberry Court(H) 314-638-4160
(28, 29M)St. Louis, MO 63123(O) 314-416-6400
JULY
Michael A. Dolan1811 Waterford Ridge Court(H) 636-227-6393
(3l, 33)Manchester, MO 63021(C) 314-954-0752
AUGUST
(H)
(35, 36M, 37)(O)
George J. Kerry5941 Crane Circle(H) 314-351-3510
(38, 40, 41)St. Louis, MO 63109(O) 314-792-7568
SEPTEMBER
Thomas L. Jones2037 Schoettler Valley Drive(H) 636-537-8508
(42, 43, 44)Chesterfield, MO 63017(O) 314-595-1944
Richard M. Schmidt2638 Cripple Creek Drive(H) 314-846-4361
(45, 46M, 47)St. Louis, MO 63129(O) 314-846-7788
OCTOBER
Daniel V. Brungard2862 Bromley Drive(H)636-939-5890
(48, 49M, 50)O’Fallon, MO 63368(O)314-567-8336
Edward V. Hamilton, Jr.288 Babler Road(H)314-434-4640
(51M, 52, 53)St. Louis, MO
NOVEMBER
Kurt Odenwald7316 Sutherland Avenue(H)314-647-5481
(54, 55)St. Louis, MO 63119(O)314-539-4340
Maurice A. Haberberger1323 Eagles Way Court(H) 314-895-1280
(65)Hazelwood, MO
DECEMBER
Dennis R. McCabe1100 Boland Place(H) 314-781-7723
(58, 59M)St. Louis, MO 63117(O) 314-781-1158
Stephen M. Laug2530 Yaeger Road(H)314-892-7333
(60, 62)St. Louis, MO 63129(O)314-414-9993
Captains’ and Co-Captains’ Duties
The Captain’s Role
The primary role of the Captain and Co-Captain is to work closely with the monthly Expeditor and the quarterly Facilitator in recruiting new retreatants.
In addition, Captains need to maintain periodic communication with the White House Office in order to confirm the number of retreatants compared to your retreat allotment.
Roughly 20% of your confirmed retreatants will likely cancel their attendance prior to the retreat. Good follow-up with retreatants can reduce this percentage significantly.
Keeping in touch with the Office will help in determining what additional recruiting will be needed.
Each Captain’s goal is to recruit 100% of your allotment.
Your allotment is based upon your realistic goal of attendees.
One of the most important tasks of the Captain and Co-Captains is to attend the annual Captains’ Meeting, which is scheduled about 45 days before the beginning of your recruiting quarter.
One important way for the Captain to make sure he is prepared for the annual meeting is to meet with his Co-Captains prior to the meeting to
review your previous years’ attendance, and
assign names for your Co-Captains to begin making phone contact so you can determine who will be returning for this year’s retreat.
By doing this, you can spread this responsibility over all of the Captains and Co-Captains thus making the task less time consuming. This communicating helps lessen the burden and prepares you for the Captains’ Meeting.
The Captain’s Recruiting Process
When to recruit
The time to recruit is whenever you see a need. As you probably know from your own experience, not everyone says “yes” to accepting something that might very well make a significant change in their life. The White House Retreat experience will not appeal to every man or woman.
However, it is the role of the Captain, Co-Captain, and fellow retreatants to carry the GIFT OF PEACE to all who want to deepen their spiritual life; release their tensions and fears about themselves and their life situation. If we do not ask them, they will not receive it.
Effective recruiting happens constantly throughout the year.
How to recruit, Where to recruit, Whom to recruit
Not all of us are salesmen nor do we need to be in order to recruit for the White House. Let your sincere words and experience tell the story. The following are some helpful hints on how, when, where, and whom to recruit:
NOTE: In order to be in compliance with the USCCB Child Protection Charter,
retreatants must be at least18 years of age to attend a White House Retreat.
Recruit friends, family, neighbors, fellow parishioners, classmates, clients, anyone who needs and wants to get closer to God and himself.
Recruit in your Parish and involve your Pastor. He can help a great deal.
Speak at Mass the weekend following your retreat or have a fellow retreatant speak.
Use your Parish bulletin to create awareness of White House. Use the White House poster.
Have a booth at your Parish Ministry Day.
Pass around the White House video or show it after Mass to all who are interested.
Make connections in surrounding Parishes that do not have a retreat weekend.
How to Recruit(continued)
Handout one of the several informational pieces available to you.
Send letters of invitation or White House postcards. Send e-mail invitations.
Invite your Pastor and Associate Pastor(s) for your retreat’s closing meal.
Invite First-Timers to visit the White House.
Recruit all ages. No one is too young or old.
Work with your fellow Captains and Co-Captains on your retreat to ensure a full house.
Keep in touch with your First Timers, they will probably have friends that they can recruit.
The key to successful recruiting is
communication.
Communicate with your fellow Captains, Co-Captains, Facilitator, Expeditors, and most especially the White House Office. Communicating with the White House Office is essential to the success of your retreat.
Retreatant Room Information
SNYDER HALL
NO SMOKING
First Floor
Room 133 Leader #2
First aid items and phone
Room 101 Handicapped accessible. (Includes a recliner)
Room 105 Handicapped accessible.
28 regular retreatant rooms
Second floor
Room 200 Leader #1
First aid items and phone
32 regular retreatant rooms
Total Rooms Snyder Hall =64
LOYOLA HALL
NO SMOKING
Lower level of Snyder Hall
Total Rooms Loyola Hall = 6
MONAGHAN HALL
SMOKING ALLOWED IN RETREATANT ROOMS
Rooms 302, 305, 308, and 309
Total RoomsMonoghan Hall= 4
CHIUMINATTO HALL
NO SMOKING
Room 20 Leader #3
First aid items and phone
Total Rooms Chiuminatto Hall = 11
(less any being used by private retreats or visiting Director)
GrandTotal- 85 Rooms
Diet and DisabilityConsiderations
Remember to use the following information when recruiting:
We want the retreat to be a rewarding experience for those who are in need of special accommodations. Arrangements can be made by contacting the Office.
Rooms for the disabled are available.
Dining Room special diet tables are always present.
Rooms for the Disabled
Rooms 101 and 105 at the north end of Snyder Hall are wheelchair accessible. Grab bars are available at both the toilet and the shower. A portable shower bench is provided and the showerhead can be hand-held. Room 101 also has a recliner.
If a retreatantrequires wheelchair access and/or grab bars at the toilet and shower, it is advisable to reserve these rooms in advance by contacting the Office.
If a retreatant is referred to as disabled, we will plan for him to use either Room 101 or 105. If “First floor” is indicated on his Registration Card, it will be noted that the retreatant does not need a disabled accessible room, but needs to minimize walking distance and stairs.
There may be more than one request for special accommodations on a retreat. To help determine the assignment of the disabled accessible rooms, it is helpful to know if the retreatant uses a wheelchair. If so, please note that Retreatants are responsible for bringing their own equipment. This policy is due to liability considerations. The White House Retreat wheelchair is meant to be used only for medical emergencies.
Recruiting Support Materials
Print Materials
Every Captain should carry one or several of the following items:
Brochures
Yellow Weekend and pink Weekday Daily retreat schedules are a very good overview of a retreat.
Parish poster with brochure pocket for Daily Order and Registration Cards. Space for retreat date, Parish Captain’s name and phone number. Every Parish should have one.
Blank Registration Forms. Sign up your First Timer on the spot.
White House “Peace” Note cards
Announcements and Letters
Sample Parish bulletin announcement (or other organizations).
Ready for more in life? Searching for a greater depth in life? Gather with other searchers and seekers on a White House Retreat, the Jesuit retreat house overlooking the Mississippi River.
BEGINS at 6:00 P.M. on Thursday,
ENDS at 6:00 P.M. on Sunday,
The Lord invites each person He loves to “come aside and rest a while.” To join our group call me (name) at (phone #) .
**********
Additional sample Parish bulletin announcements.
FIRST CALL - RETREAT FOR MEN
This is our FIRST CALL for men of our Parish to make our ANNUAL RETREAT at White House Retreat. A beautiful facility overlooking the Mississippi River in south Saint Louis County. Our retreat begins on (day and date) . All men of the parish are invited. Don’t miss out this year in the spiritual and physical renewal that benefits every man who makes a retreat. For your reservation call (name) at (phone #) .
*********
SECOND CALL – RETREAT FOR MEN
Join the men of our Parish signing up for the ANNUAL RETREAT at White House Retreat starting (date) . Ask any man who has ever made a retreat at White House and he will volunteer that NEVER HAS HE BEEN MORE AT PEACE WITH HIS SOUL AND HIS GOD. A retreat once a year is a vital necessity these days. Call for your reservation NOW –
(name) at (phone #) .
**********
MEN’S RETREAT – LAST REMINDER:
We still have room for several men in the ANNUAL RETREAT at White House, beginning at (time) on (date) and ending at (time) on (date) ______How long since you’ve enjoyed the benefits of a SPIRITUAL CHECK-UP? The cost is only what you make it and the dividends are highly rewarding. Reserve your place NOW! Call (name) at (phone) today.
**********
JOIN YOUR FRIENDS!
They’re taking off (day) , (date) for our annual parish men’s retreat at White House Retreat in south Saint Louis County – high on the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River. It’ll be a very relaxing time of peace and quiet, good rest, good food and inspiring talks to bring you closer to Christ. You’ll come away with a new perspective on your life and a wonderful inner peace to face problems with new courage. Come along! For your reservation call today (name) at (phone) ______.
02/2011Page 1
Weekend Daily Order
Weekday Daily Order
The Registration Form
PLEASE REGISTER ME FOR THE WHITE HOUSE RETREAT BEGINNING: ( ) MONDAY ( ) THURSDAY ( )
OTHER RETREAT DATE
PREFER : ( ) NON-SMOKING ( ) SMOKING ROOM, IF AVAILABLE
WITH WHOM ARE YOU REGISTERING
(NAME OF GROUP/CAPTAIN, PARISH, INDIVIDUAL, OR COMING ON YOUR OWN)
NAME (print)
LAST FULL FIRST NAME MIDDLE Sr., Jr., MD, ETC. Rev, Dcn, Dr, ETC.
NICKNAME/CALLED BY DATE OF BIRTH
MAILING ADDRESS
(INDICATE STREET, AVENUE, BOULEVARD, DRIVE, LANE, ROAD, ETC.) (APT #)
CITY STATE ZIP -
IS YOUR MAILING ADDRESS FOR ( ) HOME OR ( ) COMPANY
HOME PHONE ( ) CELL PHONE ( )
COMPANY/DAYTIME PHONE ( ) EXT.
WHICH PHONE DO YOU PREFER WE USE: ( )HOME ( ) COMPANY ( ) CELL
HOME E-MAIL COMPANY E-MAIL
WHICH E-MAIL DO YOU PREFER WE USE: ( )HOME ( ) COMPANY
COMPANY NAME
RELIGION PARISH/CHURCH YOU ATTEND
FIRST ADULT PREACHED RETREAT AT WHITE HOUSE? (High School/Day Of Prayer N/A) ( ) YES ( ) NO Last Retreat if appropriate
COMMENTS, SPECIAL NEEDS
PERSONAL SIGNATURE
AS SPACE IS AVAILABLE, YOUR REGISTRATION WILL BE CONFIRMED BY THIS OFFICE04/08
Mail to: White House Retreat Office, 7400 Christopher Drive, Saint Louis, MO 63129 or call 314-533-8903 or 800-643-1003
A Captain’s Administrative Role
One of the most important tasks of the Captain and Co-Captains is to attend the annual Captains’ Meeting, which is scheduled about 45 days before the beginning of your recruiting quarter.
This is a veryimportant meeting and your attendance is critical to the success of your retreat.
Your Quarterly Facilitator and Monthly Expeditor who conduct this meeting will discuss registration procedures and other strategic issues important to White House Retreat.
The actual Reservation and Registration process begins when you receive your Captains’ meeting notice approximately 4 weeks before the meeting.
The Recruiting Timetable
Six months before your retreat
Send out reminder to your retreatants with dates of this year’s retreat.
Remind your retreatants of Father Burshek’s “Each One Reach One” recruiting challenge.
Three months before your retreat
Start calling your retreatants to confirm attendance.
One month before your retreat
As many reservations as possible are due.
Office begins mailing Confirmation Cards.
Third Monday before your retreat
Call the Office to check your registrations.
At this time you can learn if there is still space available on the retreat to register additional guests.
Ten Days before your retreat
Call each retreatant and confirm that he has received his confirmation notice.
If he has not, call the office immediately.
Ask if transportation is needed and make arrangements if necessary.
The Office
Keep the Office informed of any cancellations up to and including the day of your retreat so that those on the waiting list may have an opportunity to attend.
Communication is the key to keeping everyone informed!
White House Retreat Recruiting Timeline
Sample
REGISTRATION PROCEDURES
Captain’s Quarterly Meetings:
A letter notifying you of the time and location for your meeting will be sent to you approximately one month prior to the meeting.
If your Retreat occurs during the first month of each quarter, you will receive a copy of your Group’s Response List and roster with the meeting notification letter to help you get started on recruiting for your retreat.
At the meeting you will receive a Response List and a roster that includes names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, etc., for those Retreatants who have attended a retreat with your group within the past 5 years. Blank Registration Forms for new Retreatants will be included in your packets.
Your Group’s Allotment and the Dates of your Retreat are included on the Response List. Please check this information before you contact your guests.
You can then divide the Response List and Guest Roster for your Group between your Co-Captains to help you make phone contact with those Retreatants who will be returning for the upcoming retreat. By sharing the responsibility of contacting all the guests with your Co-Captains, you will be able to manage the task more easily and achieve better attendance for your Group.
confirmations are mailed one month prior to the Retreat date, so please submit as many registrations as possible one month prior to your retreat event. Additional registrations can be given to the office later as you receive them.
For your convenience we are offering several ways for registering Retreatants.
Registering Existing Group Members:
Response List: Mark “Yes” or “No” on the Response List, note any members you wish to remove, and make any changes to the contact information.
Mail: Mail a copy of your lists to the White House office at 7400 Christopher Drive, St. Louis, MO 63129.
Fax: Fax a copy of the lists to the office at 314-533-8428,
Scan and email: If you have a scanner, you can scan copies of the lists and Registration Forms to . You can also type a list of names of returning Retreatants to the email address, including any changes in contact information.
Phone: Call your list into the office at 314-533-8903 or 1-800-643-1003. The office has a copy of each of your Response Lists. Please mail, fax or scan new Registration Forms to the office.
Web Registrations: You may also register your guests by using the Web Registration Form on our website at The office will copy you on the email reply to the guest, so please include your guest’s email address on the form and make sure the office has your current email address. You may also have your guests register themselves using the web registration form.
Registering First-Time Retreatants:
Included in your packets you will find blank Registration Forms.
Please try to have First Time Retreatants fill out the cards themselves to insure accurate information.
NOTE: In order to be in compliance with the USCCB Child Protection Charter, White House needs to verify that all Retreatants are over the age of 18. Please try to make sure that your new guests include their date of birth on the Registration Form.
Try to have the guests sign their own Registration Form as this adds to his personal acceptance and commitment to attend the retreat.
Please let the office know of any special dietary or handicapped needs. White House will do its best to accommodate special needs; however, please keep in mind that there are only two handicapped rooms and that White House is not equipped to handle high level medical needs.
Please mail, fax or email Registration Forms to the office. The office works with a small staff and is not equipped to take new Registration Forms over the phone.
Please let the office know if you would like individual registration forms
for each of your Retreatants.
Wait List and Cancellations:
If you find that your group will exceed your allotment, please contact the office to see if there will be room for additional guests. Your extra guests may have to be placed on a Wait List.
Out of courtesy to those on the Wait List, please advise the office of any cancellations as soon as possible so those on the Wait List may have an opportunity to attend.