Writing Through the Pain of Loss (in-person)

Name: Writing Through the Pain of Loss (in-person)
Start: 2026-04-24T18:30:00-05:00
End: 2026-04-25T16:00:00-05:00
Location: Franciscan Spirituality Center

Schedule

Fri, 24 Apr, 2026 at 06:30 pm to Sat, 25 Apr, 2026 at 04:00 pm

UTC-05:00

Location

Franciscan Spirituality Center | La Crosse, WI

Weekend retreat led by John DeDakis.
Meets Friday, 6:30-9 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Pain is a natural part of life, whether it’s the loss of a job, a pet, a friendship, your innocence, your health or a loved one. Even though grief is a part of life, it doesn’t have to be crippling or debilitating. During this spiritual retreat, you will learn strategies — including journaling, storytelling, prayer and meditation — to help you move forward, through and beyond the pain and fear into a future that can once again be filled with hope, and even joy. Guided writing exercises coupled with break-out sessions and seminar-style conversations will help you tap into your experience as a way to find catharsis and inner clarity. This will be a space where no one will be required to read aloud or share.
Investment:
OVERNIGHT: $210, includes private bedroom, breakfast and lunch on Saturday
COMMUTER: $140, includes lunch on Saturday
www.FSCenter.org | 608-791-5295
Direct link to registration: https://fsc.retreatportal.com/calendar/event?programcode=26SGO10365
ABOUT THE PRESENTER: John DeDakis is a former editor on CNN’s “The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer.” Grief and loss are subtexts in all six of John’s award-winning mystery/suspense/thriller novels. John is a writing coach and manuscript editor who regularly teaches novel and memoir writing at literary centers and conferences nationwide and abroad. Born and raised in La Crosse, John now lives in Baltimore, Maryland. Learn more at www.johndedakis.com.