Pilgrims of Hope: The Heroic Journey of Twelve Step Recovery

Jubilee 2025 invites all people of good will to become Pilgrims of Hope. At the heart of Twelve Step recovery is the hope that God will do for us what we cannot do for ourselves.

This retreat invites participants to celebrate the hope we share on the journey of Twelve Step Recovery.

In a special way, this retreat will also celebrate the accomplishments of our alumni completing their Continuing Care program.

Guest House offers retreat opportunities throughout the year for clergy and men religious recovering from addictive disorders. Guest House alumni and other clergy and men religious in recovery are invited to participate in these retreats.

Guest House retreats afford participants time to gather in fellowship and reflect on a particular theme chosen by the retreat leader. Opportunities for group prayer are part of the retreat’s schedule. Ample free time for rest and relaxation is made available.

Retreat Leader

Fr. Mark joined the Guest House staff as education director on January 2, 2018. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1983 for the Diocese of Springfield, Massachusetts. Currently, Father Stelzer serves as a Co-Vicar for Clergy for the Diocese of Springfield and as special assistant to the president for Catholic identity and professor of humanities at College of Our Lady of the Elms in Chicopee, Massachusetts where he regularly offers courses in addiction studies and twelve-step spirituality.

In addition to these responsibilities, Father Stelzer facilitates workshops and retreats throughout the United States and beyond on topics related to addiction and recovery.  Father Stelzer holds a doctorate in sacred theology and is a master’s level registered addiction specialist. He holds active membership in the National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC). An alumnus of Guest House, Father Stelzer served on the Guest House Board of Trustees and the Guest House Men’s Advisory Board, prior to his appointment as education director.

About the Location

Capuchin Retreat Center

Located one hour north of Detroit, the Center’s 95 acres of gentle meadows and quiet woodlands offer a wonderful opportunity to renew your peace of mind. Each bedroom has a private bath. The retreat center is located 14 miles east of Guest House. On Wednesday evening, retreatants will have the opportunity to visit the Guest House campus.

Capuchin Retreat Center
62460 Mt. Vernon Road
Washington, MI 48094
248-651-4823

Registration Fee

The retreat fee is $475 which will cover all presentations, lodging (April 28, 29, & 30) at the Capuchin Retreat Center and all meals beginning with dinner on Monday, April 28, and concluding with lunch on Thursday, May 1.

Transportation

Guest House offers complimentary chauffeur service to and from Detroit Metro Airport in Detroit, MI, and Bishop International Airport in Flint, MI. If you would like to take advantage of this service, please provide flight information.

Due to the generosity of our Guest House benefactors, a portion of the retreat expense for each attendee will be underwritten.

Save the Date

Alumni Reunion
August 11 – 14, 2025
Siena Retreat Center
Racine, WI

Alumni Fall Retreat
September 28 – October 2, 2025
Mercy By the Sea
Madison, CT