Our History

The St. Joseph Healing Ministry retreat was founded in 1977 by Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace, at Lake Crescent on the Olympic Peninsula of Washington State. From the beginning, the retreat was designed for those who are in ministry — especially prayer and healing ministry — and for people who seek prayer for healing.

The retreat is Eucharistic, Marian, Contemplative, and Charismatic in character, drawing on multiple streams of Catholic spirituality to create a space where participants can encounter God's healing love.

In 1982, the Halls family took on a significant role in supporting and organizing the retreat, helping it grow and flourish over nearly three decades. Their dedication helped the retreat become a cherished annual gathering for the Pacific Northwest Catholic community.

Through the 1980s the retreat moved to several venues as attendance grew. The community of regular retreatants deepened over the years, with many returning year after year and bringing new participants.

Beginning in 1990, the retreat made its home at Fort Worden State Park in Port Townsend, Washington — a historic coastal campus offering lodging, a chapel, and ample meeting space. For 35 years, Fort Worden was synonymous with the healing retreat.

In 2011, Kathy Flanagan Moore assumed leadership of the retreat from the founding sisters. Under her direction the retreat continued to grow, averaging around 120 attendees and occasionally welcoming up to 200 participants.

The COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of the 2020 retreat and modifications to subsequent years, but the community remained in contact through prayer and correspondence. The ministry demonstrated remarkable resilience.

In January 2025, Fort Worden State Park announced a major change in operations that made the venue unavailable for the 2026 retreat. The 2025 retreat was held at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds in Port Townsend.

For 2026, the 49th Annual Healing Retreat moves to the Seabeck Conference Center on Hood Canal — a peaceful, wooded setting ideally suited to retreat and reflection. The center offers comfortable lodging, accessible buildings, and a contemplative atmosphere befitting the ministry's spirit.

While the venue is new, the heart of the retreat remains the same: Eucharistic Adoration, healing prayer, Mass, Confession, and a procession honoring Our Lady of Guadalupe. The community of prayer and healing continues, now entering its fifth decade.