A Retreat for Women Whose Mothers Have Died
What Is Drawing Me To Consider Attending?
May 8-9, 2026
Benedictine Center of St. Paul’s Monastery
Facilitator: Linda Cherek, MSW
REGISTER HERE
Mother-daughter relationships are beautiful, complicated, nurturing, loving and challenging. This is especially more present than ever after your mother dies. No matter how much time has passed since your mother died, she remains present in your life, just differently. Grief is lifelong— it is not something we “get over.” It is an experience we learn to accommodate into our life. It is allowing for an awareness of when grief shows up, when we cannot call mom for a recipe, or something related to family history. Grief surfaces again on Mother’s Day, birthdays, and holidays. Her absence becomes more present intermittently and then comes again. All of this is normal in grief. If your relationship with your mother was strained or non-existent, grief remains for the loss of the relationship you wished you could have had and did not get.
The Mother Loss Retreat is an opportunity to spend holy and meaningful time with her. It is a time to remember, reflect, and reimagine that relationship. It is an opportunity for healing of known or unspoken hurts, of the absence of her physical or emotional presence and then noticing the presence of the Spirit in this journey. It is a retreat that provides the space and grace to remember what it is you carry within from your mother, her bits of wisdom she shared with you and grieving with a grateful heart for the gifts you share with others because of your mother.
Women who have attended the retreat have said:
“I don’t know when I have participated in such a lovely, healing and meaningful retreat.”
“The Spirit was tangible in such a sacred space.”
“Even though mom has been gone for thirty years, I felt her spirit, too. I felt open to receive and safe to share.”
“Such a comfort.”
“Just what I needed. So deep, so nurturing, so loving. Best thing ever when finding ways to be with my mother’s death.”
What was most valuable:
“Being able to tell the story of my mother’s death.”
“Time alone to reflect.”
“Linda’s sessions on grief and our relationship with our mothers.”
“Time spent with my mother.”
“The reflections followed by time alone.”
Is the Spirit nudging you to come and explore, share, and honor your grief journey, your relationship with your mother and perhaps experience healing in unexpected places within your heart? Loyola and St Paul’s Monastery are ready to welcome you to this holy and sacred time. Come and join us.
Linda Cherek, MSW
Linda’s work in bringing God’s presence to those she encounters is grounded in her understanding and commitment to notice the Holy in everyday life especially in the significant challenges we experience. She embraced the gifts of spiritual awareness and the opportunities for growth in her spiritual journey following the unexpected death of her oldest daughter. Her spiritual journey has provided the sacred space to encounter God in unexpected places through journaling, music, poetry, prayer and the body. Linda has a special interest in the impact of loss and trauma and understands how it impacts the body, the heart, the soul and one’s relationship with God and the world.
Linda will welcome you no matter what your faith tradition or spiritual beliefs. She will accompany you on your spiritual journey, encouraging you to deepen your relationship with the God of your understanding. She welcomes spiritual exploration and awareness of where the Holy impacts your life.
Linda received her Master ‘s Degree in Social Work from the University of St Thomas and the University of St Catherine. She received her Spiritual Direction certificate from Sacred Ground in St Paul, MN. She is a Fellow in Thanatology and has a Certificate in Pastoral Bereavement Counseling. She retired after more than 25 years’ work in private practice as a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker. She provides individual and group spiritual direction, she accompanies people in the Extended Spiritual Exercises and also utilizes Focusing in her spiritual direction practice.
Linda Cherek MSW, FT, SEP offers Spiritual Direction, Group Spiritual Direction, The Spiritual Exercises and Personal Directed Retreats.
