San Gabriel Region retreat centers are welcoming slightly larger numbers of retreatants this spring, despite difficult economic times.

Weekend retreats at Mater Dolorosa in Sierra Madre are booked by area parishes up to a year in advance during a retreat season, which runs September through May. While there are still open spaces for individual retreatants every weekend of the season, overall attendance is up slightly from last year.

At the same time, according to Elizabeth Velarde, administrator at Mater Dolorosa, bookings from outside and ecumenical groups have slightly declined.

"Groups that would come here and host their own event or day of recollection have more choices in a tight economy," Velarde explains. "Some groups have scaled down what they want to do, having part or single day events rather than overnight stays. We have fewer of those outside bookings right now."

But despite fewer outside bookings and a handful of cancellations, Velarde says Mater Dolorosa is "holding its own" financially in the current economic climate. "We are very fortunate in that regard at this time," she says.

Attendance at weekend retreats has also been good at the Sacred Heart Retreat Center in Alhambra. "Only a few people have cancelled their retreats due to lay-offs," says retreat coordinator Laura Gamus, "but some in that situation come on retreat anyway asking for guidance."

Mater Dolorosa retreats have a pre-selected theme that runs for the entire retreat season (September through May), yet private conversations between retreatants and retreat team members tend to be about what is going on in the retreatants' lives. Since the retreats are silent, retreatants have a good deal of quiet time to cultivate their spiritual lives and sort out the issues they are facing in their daily lives.

During meal times at these silent retreats, a team member reads to the retreatants, usually something to nourish their souls as they nourish their bodies. Recently, Passionist Father Pat Brennan, Mater Dolorosa retreat director, selected a reading entitled "Coping Spiritually During Difficult Economic Times" to read at mealtime, addressing concerns expressed by many who are currently attending retreats.

Although weekend retreats are attended primarily by adults, there are also retreat opportunities for children and youth, and those also seem to be drawing more attendance this year.

St. Joseph Salesian Retreat Center in Rosemead has already held some 175 retreats at the mid-point of their retreat year, which they report is above average for the Center. St. Joseph is owned and operated by the Salesians of St. John Bosco and is a member of Retreats International. In addition to retreats for youth, there are also offerings and opportunities for seasonal retreats, faculty retreats, RCIA and young adults' retreats.

With so many people facing changes in their personal, professional and spiritual lives, local retreat centers are working to fill the needs of those who are seeking guidance.

Velarde says the retreat team at Mater Dolorosa is already looking ahead as this retreat year winds down. "They will be considering spiritual themes relevant to what people are experiencing in their lives," she says.

In addition, there will be a special weekend retreat in August that will focus on the "Thresholds" of change in people's lives. It will be led by Paula D'Arcy, an internationally known writer, retreat leader, conference and seminar speaker. More information of this special retreat is available by calling Mater Dolorosa at (626) 355-7188.

Other upcoming events at area retreat centers include:

---Handmaidens is a faith formation group for single young women, ages 18-35 who meet monthly at the St. Joseph Campus (920 E. Alhambra Rd., Alhambra) with the Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles. The next meeting is May 24 for evening prayer, dinner and worship. For more information, call Sister Grace Helena, (626) 300-8938 or vocations@carmelitesistersocd.com.

---Mother-Daughter Week (for moms and girls ages 13-17) will be held June 22-25 at Sacred Heart Retreat House. Information: (626) 300-8938.

---Mater Dolorosa's third annual Golf Classic will be held May 28 at Brookside Golf Course, Pasadena, and its 62nd annual Family Fiesta Raffle will be held June 21, beginning with Mass at 10 a.m. followed by a reception and raffle. Information: (626) 355-7188.