Our Community of Retreat Leaders
We are a community that believe the sharing of Divine Love in the spirit of peace, service and humility is our highest purpose. Each day the retreat leaders provide a contemplation practice and are available for one on one guidance as well.
They are dedicating their time to support each person with kindness and understanding. They teach meditation, meditative movement & or yoga and help to keep retreats in Assisi available for pilgrims from around the world.
They are dedicating their time to support each person with kindness and understanding. They teach meditation, meditative movement & or yoga and help to keep retreats in Assisi available for pilgrims from around the world.
David Nowe - Retreat Director
David is the oldest of thirteen children from a beautiful Catholic family. He attended Catholic High School run by Franciscans and became a member of the Third Order of St. Francis at the age of 14. After attending Columbia University, he explored many cultures and traditions including his years as a Swami in India, living in a Zen Buddhist Monastery in Japan and traveling to 70 countries around the world. David integrates the essence of the world’s great religions with his vast personal experiences and inspires others to deepen in universal truth. In 1995 he cofounded the God Realization Ministry at the Unity Church of Tustin in California and brought this ministry to over 200 New Thought churches around the world. David has a unique gift of opening people to unconditional love and helping them build a sustainable foundational spiritual practice.
David is the oldest of thirteen children from a beautiful Catholic family. He attended Catholic High School run by Franciscans and became a member of the Third Order of St. Francis at the age of 14. After attending Columbia University, he explored many cultures and traditions including his years as a Swami in India, living in a Zen Buddhist Monastery in Japan and traveling to 70 countries around the world. David integrates the essence of the world’s great religions with his vast personal experiences and inspires others to deepen in universal truth. In 1995 he cofounded the God Realization Ministry at the Unity Church of Tustin in California and brought this ministry to over 200 New Thought churches around the world. David has a unique gift of opening people to unconditional love and helping them build a sustainable foundational spiritual practice.
Brenda Brisch - Retreat Leader
Brenda has been lovingly guiding contemplative retreats for over 35 years. She has devoted much of her life to spiritual inquiry. Through meditation and meditative movement she helps people discover their own pathway to inner peace. Brenda teaches that life's circumstances are a guide to help us find the stillness within. She has been teaching in Assisi for the past two years and gently guides people into the sweetness & peace St Francis & St Clare inspire.
Brenda has been lovingly guiding contemplative retreats for over 35 years. She has devoted much of her life to spiritual inquiry. Through meditation and meditative movement she helps people discover their own pathway to inner peace. Brenda teaches that life's circumstances are a guide to help us find the stillness within. She has been teaching in Assisi for the past two years and gently guides people into the sweetness & peace St Francis & St Clare inspire.
Rob Stucky - Retreat Leader
Rob Stucky has over forty years' experience helping people grow. His extensive background in spirituality includes a Master of Divinity from Yale University, serving as an Episcopal Priest for 16 years, along with direct teaching from Swami Muktananda in India for 9 years. He left the priesthood in 2002 to dedicate himself to helping people discover and experience inter-connectedness with each other and the universe around us.
He draws on the richness of the world’s traditions to help others discover the common experiences underlying all of them. This perspective enhances the quality of everyday living.
"I have always felt drawn to St. Francis, since my youth. Making my pilgrimage to Assisi and having the opportunity to lead retreats here is truly a gift of grace beyond anything I could have imagined."
Rob Stucky has over forty years' experience helping people grow. His extensive background in spirituality includes a Master of Divinity from Yale University, serving as an Episcopal Priest for 16 years, along with direct teaching from Swami Muktananda in India for 9 years. He left the priesthood in 2002 to dedicate himself to helping people discover and experience inter-connectedness with each other and the universe around us.
He draws on the richness of the world’s traditions to help others discover the common experiences underlying all of them. This perspective enhances the quality of everyday living.
"I have always felt drawn to St. Francis, since my youth. Making my pilgrimage to Assisi and having the opportunity to lead retreats here is truly a gift of grace beyond anything I could have imagined."
In Gratitude
In gratitude, we are honored that David, Brenda and Rob have joined us. Their extensive commitment to spiritual practice, community life, and a heart full journey is a gift to everyone.
