2025 Women's Grief Retreat

2-day event

285 Oblate Drive | San Antonio, TX 78216

Lunch provided on Saturday

NO WAIVED OR DISCOUNTED REGISTRATIONS ARE AVAILABLE FOR THIS EVENT.

Grief is part of life. It can be messy and complicated as we search for meaning. However, the umbrella of grief includes so much, for example, a job loss, a ministry ending, loss of our health, losing a home, friends moving away or friendships ending, and of course, the one many believe is the only one, death of a loved one. Yet, there are so many endings and new beginnings, unique to each person. Peeling back the layers, using the metaphor of “death”, we can perhaps “see”, that some things must “die” to make room for “new life”. Oftentimes, untended grief accumulates until our limitations as humans are so overwhelmed, it manifests itself into unhealthy coping. The “dying” can be the releasing of what we believed should be, and looking at what is with new eyes. The dark blanket of our grieving can sometimes prevent us from seeking the light to traverse through it to the other side, seeing and embracing the new life it beckons.

Join us for teachings and reflections as we gather together on this leg or our journey.

• A journal and pen for reflections
• A photo of your favorite saint (optional)
• A photo of a deceased loved one who provided comfort and is often in your thoughts
• A photo of someone currently in your life who brings you comfort
• Your favorite coffee mug or water bottle

is a poet, spiritual director, widow, and has one daughter and two grandchildren. She graduated with honors from Wayland Baptist University with an Associates Degree of Applied Science, specializing in Criminal Justice. Guerra was a 2002 Nominee—Outstanding Women in State Government (Texas) and in 2003 received an Honorable Mention—Good Housekeeping National Award, Women in Government, for her community outreach and underage alcohol prevention efforts through a community-led psychodrama called Shattered Dreams, incorporating an overnight retreat similar to many faith-based retreats. Guerra is also a cofounder of CoCreating Harmony and Mobilizing Peacemakers (CCHaMPs) that conduct spiritual workshops for women throughout the Archdiocese. Tina is also the author of

After retiring with 30 years service with the state of Texas, Guerra transitioned into spiritual direction to serve varied populations in numerous capacities, such as a Soul-Friend with Haven For Hope (facilitating grief and loss retreats for its residents), a hospital lay chaplain (certified Respecting Choices facilitator who works with the chronically/terminal patient and their families), a hospice chaplain and as a spiritual director and retreat facilitator. This transition was a natural fit, having been impacted by women religious from the Sisters of the Holy Cross and Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament as a child and young adult which she says greatly influenced her spirituality and theology with a focus on service. She completed studies with the Oblate Grotto & Direction Ministries, San Antonio in 2009, The Center For Spiritual Growth And The Contemplative Life, San Antonio in 2012 and is a 2014 Associate of The Shalem Institute in Washington, DC. Guerra is also a former Elder with the Oblate School of Theology’s Forest Dwelling Program.

Guerra accompanied her husband as he traversed through a terminal illness in 2011-2012, and after his death sensed a calling to walk with others who are experiencing grief in their lives. After spending some time in solitude with the profound grief she held after her husband’s death, Guerra mapped her grief journey from childhood, recognizing the events and patterns of varied losses that opened her eyes to seeing the growth in her spiritual life with God’s hand in each. These experiences have framed the foundation of the retreat for those seeking a way through their grief.

is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a retired firefighter/paramedic, having served over 24 years as a first responder. She earned her master’s degree in Community Counseling from the University of Texas at San Antonio and currently serves as the Resiliency Director for Bexar County ESD 7 Fire and Rescue. In this role, she provides training, education, and counseling to support the mental and emotional health of first responders both on and off the job.

Yvonne has also worked in a residential treatment center for veterans and first responders, addressing issues such as addiction, trauma, and mental health. She continues her work through a private counseling practice, where she focuses on grief, trauma, and stress and how these impact individuals and their families. She is trained in Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for PTSD, Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM), Peer Support, Crisis Intervention, and other evidence-based trauma and grief modalities.

Having personally experienced the impact of trauma and loss, Yvonne brings deep empathy and understanding to her work. She considers it a sacred privilege to walk alongside others in their healing journey, providing a compassionate and safe space for restoration and hope.

Yvonne is a member of St. Luke Catholic Church and is active in ministries including CCHaMPs and Shields of Christ. She has helped facilitate numerous retreats across the Archdiocese. She is the proud mother of two adult children and shares her home with two beloved rescue dogs.

Host or Publisher Oblate School of Theology