A Place Set Apart for
Encounter, Formation, and Mission
More than a venue. A formative experience.
The St. Brendan Center at Coldwater is not a camp or a conference center. It is a unique property that invites you into deeper union with Christ through nature and revelation. The serenity, the landscape, the beauty of the structures...all of it is meant to slow you down and make room for something deeper. This is a place where silence isn’t unusual, Scripture is central, and the goal of every retreat is encounter.
Following the best of the Catholic tradition, we encourage guests to take up the Word of God and receive grace through the sacraments
Every path, every gathering space, every detail of the property is oriented toward that purpose: helping people step away, listen for His voice, and return with clarity.
The Rule of One
One group at a time. When your group arrives, the entire property belongs to you. The lodge, the grounds, the trails, the beaches. You're not one among many groups, this retreat experience is customized for your group.
Encounter Christ in the still small voice
In a busy world with distractions abounding, we offer a place for silence and stillness. Like Elijah (1 Kings 19: 12), we can hear God move powerfully in the small quiet moments. Experience it at St. Brendan's Coldwater.
Open the Word
St. Jerome famously said "Ignorance of Scripture is ingorance of Christ." At St. Brendan's Coldwater, we infuse the Scripture into the entire environment, from the names of our buildings to our guest registry in each cabin.
Hosted Events
Along with groups renting the site for their retreats, the St. Brendan Center will also host its own events open to the public. See the calendar below for our plans for the first year.
The Year at St. Brendan's Coldwater
Join us for these exciting retreat opportunities. Registration will open in summer 2026!
October 17-19, 2026
Verso L'Alto Fathers Weekend
The Verso L'Alto retreat, inspired by St. Pier Gorgio Frassatti, is a two-part immersion into both masculine spirituality and survivals skills. Led by former Army Colonel Deacon David Ell, the father's weekend builds up the men for leadership in faith and in life and prepares them to mentor their sons in the father/son weekend. Spots are limited, and registration opens in July!
November 14-16, 2026
Verso L'Alto Father/Son Weekend
Following the initial retreat, this week brings fathers and sons together in prayerand exploring the grounds, learning how to navigate our faith and the lands of Coldwater. Registration opens in July!
December 2026
Advent Retreat
Join our Executive Director, Dr. Luke Arredondo, for a day-long Saturday retreat focusing on the Old Testament prophecies which point to Jesus Christ. Perfect for the Advent season!
February 2027
Hopeful Mysteries Retreat
Join Dr. Tom Neal and Dr. Luke Arredondo, for a weekend-long retreat (Friday evening-Sunday) focusing on the Hopeful Mysteries of the Rosary. This retreat will combine reflection, teaching, meditation, and small group sharing as Dr. Neal and Dr. Arredondo open up the narrative of salvation history and show Christ as the fulfillment of the Old Testament. Registration coming soon!
Late Spring 2027
Family Retreat Weekends
Our family retreat weekends will be a signature event for our diocese! This retreat will feature prayer, formation, and time for families to get away from their daily concerns and focus on building up their Domestic Church, all in the beautiful settings of St. Brendan's Coldwater. Dates and more details coming soon!
Grounded in Salvation History
We present the message of salvation history, rooting each person’s individual story in the deep narrative of the scriptures
Enflame a love of God
We help people to re-discover God’s love for them.
Encourage the reception of the sacraments
Retreats featuring confession
and Mass.
Share the Church’s vision
Following Saint Paul VI and St. John Paul II, we lead people through encoutner and formation to understand their role as disciples.
Form Catholics in a rich spirituality
We open the richess of the spiritual life to move people beyond saying prayers into a life of prayer.
Our Executive Director
Luke Arredondo, PhD is the founding Executive Director of the St. Brendan Center for Evangelization and Spirituality. Luke earned his PhD in Religious Ethics at Florida State University and a M.A. in Theological Studies at Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans, LA.
Prior to serving at St. Brendan, Luke was the Director of Faith Formation for the St. Philip Institute of Catechesis and Evangelization in the Diocese of Tyler, TX.
Luke lives with his wife, Elena, and their five children in Pensacola. They are devotees of St. John Paul II, St. Therese, St. Faustina, Fulton Sheen, and (sometimes unfortunately) the New Orleans Saints.
Get in touch today
If you’re interested in hosting a retreat at St. Brendan or just want to know more about what we offer, leave us a note and we will reach out to you to discuss.