About Christine
My Introduction
Hello and welcome to Retreat, Reflect, Renew. My name is Christine Jurisich and there are a lot of titles I use to introduce myself: foundress of Retreat, Reflect, Renew, spiritual seeker, Catholic woman, wife, mom, author, retreat facilitator, and gatherer of friends and family.
But the title that I keep identifying with the most is reporter. I am a reporter who is continually called out to stories much bigger than the ones I envision.
For more than ten years I worked as a TV anchor and reporter, living the dream I imagined and wrote about in my fifth grade journal. Telling stories through pictures and words was my passion. My whole body buzzed with excitement when I uncovered something interesting to share. I had my whole life planned out and reporting was a central part of that plan.
My Spiritual Awakening
I write about the day my plans and God's plans collided in my personal retreat: Retreat, Reflect Renew: A Sacred Journal for a More Peaceful You but here is the quick fast forward: I quit my dream job to become a stay at home mom and it was a hard transition on me. I became lost and depressed. In my mind, being busy (and having an impressive title) meant being worthy so I quickly found a million things to become involved with to feel good about myself. The result? A way out of balanced life for me and my family.
I needed balance. I needed a deeper faith. I needed peace. I now realize what I truly needed was to accept all that I am and all that I am not and believe I am enough in the eyes of God. Thankfully, I found a national spiritual growth ministry called the Ministry of Mothers Sharing which set me on that path and... please forgive the cliche... it changed my life.
My Calling
I responded to this more balanced and faith-filled way of life the only way I know how. I started sharing the news, dusting off my reporter's notebook, and reporting on the personal and spiritual growth journey. I interviewed priests, nuns, spiritual directors, retreat directors, a psychologist, family therapists, and several women engaged on the spiritual growth process and developed the personal retreat. Soon after, I founded this retreat ministry, Retreat, Reflect, Renew.
Recently, my life took another unexpected turn and I am called to a story I never expected to be assigned to as my precious 16-year-old son, Peter died of a brain aneurysm in July of 2018. As I grieve and learn how to adapt to this new life, I have gratitude for the concepts I have been writing about and sharing for so many years. These lessons in personal and spiritual growth are sustaining me in even more profound ways and the reporter in me is connecting with an even deeper calling to share them with you.
I truly am a reporter who keeps getting called out to new and challenging stories of life. I am grateful for this Christ-centered spirituality that grounds me, helps me find meaning in them, and shows me who I am in Christ beyond any of these titles.
My Invitation to You
In my experience, embracing a journey of discovery and growth within community is the most grace-filled way to cherish the joys and survive the challenges of life. I invite you to join the journey today by starting with my personal retreat. We can grow and connect with the peace of Christ together.
My Biography
Christine Jurisich
Ministry Foundress, Author,
Retreat Facilitator
Christine is the foundress of Retreat, Reflect Renew ministry, author, an adjunct facilitator with Mercy Center Auburn, Mercy Associate, and holds a graduate certificate in Mercy spirituality. She is a spiritual director, trained through the Mercy Institute of Spiritual Formation at Mercy Center Burlingame and is currently working on her masters in theology.
Christine’s work in retreat ministry began twenty years ago with the personal and spiritual growth ministry, Ministry of Mothers Sharing. The Sisters of St. Benedict at St. Paul's Monastery in Minnesota sponsored the ministry at the time and mentored her for over ten years. As part of the ministry’s national leadership team, she was a leadership and facilitator trainer and writer and co-created and co-developed a successful national retreat series.
Christine’s experience in pastoral ministry includes serving on a pastoral council, serving as Stewardship chair, and creating, chairing, and participating in many ministries and faith-sharing groups.
She lives in California with her husband. They have two kids: Taylor, an amazing ICU nurse, and their precious Peter in Heaven.
“Behind every line in this bio are countless stories of joy and gratitude, challenge and pain, and lots of learning and growth. I know you have your own story. I look forward to listening to it and sharing the journey with you.”