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About Sanctum

Are you looking for a home away from home in which to foster a sense of connection for yourself, your community or your organization? Is your vision to seek a space away from the pace to find calm and clarity, surrounding yourself in nature, where you can breathe in deeply and take the time to rejuvenate, both individually and collectively? Sanctum Retreat was founded with that vision in mind, attuned to the need of the human heart in this fast-paced world of ours.

Established in 2004, Sanctum is a unique facility of service – of spacious and simple elegance – nestled on a pristine 100-acre parcel of woodlands and open fields, with a spring-fed river flowing through it. It is home away from home for many who, year after year, take the time apart to reconnect, reflecting on their unique stories and dreaming their futures forward.

Sanctum serves a variety of groups, including faith communities and all those who serve the common good.   Along with supporting spiritual growth, we are also privileged to welcome, facilitate and host educational programs and retreats, accommodating charitable organizations as well as both the public and private sectors. Mindful of the diverse needs of our guests, we honour the dignity of all those who grace our space. It would be a privilege to welcome you too.

Sanctum Retreat – A Registered Charity                       #85976 1678 RR0001

Accommodations

  • 40 elegant individual rooms – 13 Singles, 10 Doubles, and 17 Queens
  • Large enchanting conference room overlooking the Raven River – seats 100
  • Sacred Chapel – seats 50
  • Solarium Dining Room – seats 60
  • A cozy library lounge with fireplace.
  • Several private breakout rooms 
  • 3 rustic heritage cabins

Meals and Dietary Concerns

Sanctum prides itself on its high-end meal service prepared by extensively experienced cooks and chefs. As much as possible, every attempt is made to accommodate special dietary concerns, with notice a minimum of two weeks prior, so as to provide our kitchen staff sufficient time to adequately prepare for your stay with us. Please contact Sanctum by email to discuss special needs.

Grounds

Nestled on 100 acres of rolling foothills near Caroline, Alberta, the retreat grounds are a blend of groomed trails and mature forest inviting exploration.

The stations of the cross meanders a winding path along the banks of the Raven River. Many an opportunity awaits in celebration of God’s handiwork of creation.

Library

Sanctum has a generous and modern non-lending library available to retreatants during their stay with us.

CD Recordings

Kristoph and Mariette have sold over 50, 000 musical and guided meditation recordings. Several CDs are available at the retreat and on iTunes – Kristoph Franz and Mariette Dobrowolski.

“Kristoph and Mariette have a true gift.” – John Michael Talbot

Handicap Access

The facility is equipped with wheelchair access, washroom facilities and sleep accommodations to assist you in your stay with us. If special assistance is required, we encourage the accompaniment of a care-giver to provide necessary care during your stay. Please identify your special needs when registering so as to ensure accommodation availability.

Registration

Retreats are coordinated through the generous support of captains who provide necessary information. For weekend retreats, make reservations with captains whose names and phone numbers are provided after each retreat scheduled under “Upcoming Retreats”.

Ideal for executive corporate retreats, visioning, planning, re-focussing, deepening staff relations, corporate restructuring, corporate appreciation retreats, corporate spiritual and psychological wellness, leadership seminars, annual conferences, staff meetings, special meetings, family reunions, and so on. Though Sanctum has many booked regular retreats, there are time slots available for booking this stunning facility to host private or corporate events – especially weekdays. The retreat team is also available if there is a need for graphic facilitation for corporate visioning. For such private functions, a fireplace, hiking, and excellent fly fishing is available.

Sanctum Retreat is a centre for spirituality open to all denominations and faiths.

The Retreat Team

Kristoph Franz Dobrowolski – Sanctum Founder and Executive Director

Degrees

  • Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies – Comparative Religions
  • Bachelor of Education
  • Masters in Theology – Spirituality and Scripture (Studies in Israel)
  • Doctor of Clinical Pastoral Psychology (Psy.D.)

Experience and Formation

  • Founder and Executive Director of Sanctum Retreat since 2004
  • Sessional Professor at University of Theology and Spirituality – Spiritual Care Association
  • Training in Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE)
  • Registered Psychotherapist and Trained Gottman Leader
  • Director of Ecumenical and Inter-religious Affairs, Calgary
  • Dean of Religious Studies and Chaplain at Notre Dame in Calgary, Alberta
  • Dean of Religious Studies at St. Mary’s in Calgary, Alberta
  • Twenty-five years of Retreat Ministry Experience

Bio

Kristoph began his professional career as a recording artist and an actor.

After a powerful spiritual awakening in Europe, Kristoph sold everything he had and went off to become a franciscan brother. He entered the Franciscan Friars of Western Canada and spent a year in noviciate discerning if he was called to a life of priesthood and celibacy. It became clear during this time that he was indeed being called to serve, but not as a celibate. He married, and went on to study theology, philosophy, and counselling psychology.

After earning a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies and Bachelor of Education from the University of Winnipeg, Kristoph received full scholarship to complete a Masters Degree in Theology with the concentration in Spirituality and Scripture from St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota – including Jerusalem Studies in Israel. Following several years of counselling and preaching in full-time retreat ministry at Mount St. Francis Retreat, Kristoph enrolled as a student in the Doctor of Ministry program for a few years at St. Stephen’s College at the University of Alberta, but instead of writing a dissertation on retreat ministry, he withdrew from the program to focus on the actual building and founding of a new spiritual retreat – Sanctum Retreat – for which he received an honorary Ph.D. While continuing in his role as Founder and Executive Director of Sanctum Retreat and Foundation (a registered charity), Kristoph has graduated with a Doctor of Psychology degree from the Graduate Theological – affiliate of Oxford.

With over 25 years of retreat ministry experience, Kristoph has also acted as Dean of Religion at St. Mary’s and Notre Dame in Calgary, as well as Director of Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs for the Diocese of Calgary.

As a composer and recording artist, Kristoph continues to use his musical gifts to produce recordings designed to help one in spiritual growth – with over 50,000 sold.

Mariette Ellen Dobrowolski – Sanctum Foundress and Ministry Director

Degrees

  • Bachelor of Arts in English and Literature
  • Bachelor of Education
  • MA in Theology – Systematics and Moral Theology (Studies in Israel)
  • Doctoral Studies in Clinical Pastoral Psychology –
    Graduate Theological.

Experience and Formation

  • Foundress and Executive Director of Sanctum Retreat – established 2004
  • 8 years of Full-time Retreat Ministry at Mount St. Francis Retreat
  • 16 years of classroom and chaplaincy experience in junior and senior high
  • Member of the Secular Franciscan Order (sfo)
  • Author of guided meditation recordings for Christian prayer and 12 step groups.

Board of Directors

A transformational leader with significant experience providing thought leadership in the areas of arts/film entertainment, telecommunications, technology and education. The first half of his career was spent working in the theatre, film and events. The second half of his career focused on the convergence of business, marketing and technology in the new-world of digital media. Today, that convergence of the "Digital Experience" is complex and has evolved to this: Business/Marketing: Digital Brand Management, Consumer/Audience Insight, Market Research, Process Re-engineering, Governance and Policy, Portfolio Planning Performance and Optimization: Optimization and Reporting, Predictive/Behavioral Modeling, Data Management, Tracking and Measurement, Consumer Insights and Segmenting, Design Testing Online User Loyalty: Media Strategy and Execution, Social Research and Engagement, Digital Campaign Integration, Video Creative and Placement, eMail Optimization, eNewsletters Web/Mobile/Social Development: Motion Graphics, Asset Design, Visual Design, Identity Development, Concept Development, Cloud Computing, Responsive Design, Web/Application Development, User Experience Design, Information Architecture, Meta-Data Strategy, CMS, Content Planning, Usability Testing He has provided digital leadership for key organizations like the 2010 Olympics, Government of Canada, Government of Alberta, SmartCity, TELUS, Canada ePost, TD Bank, Alta Vista Canada and the University of Alberta. Presently he is the Director of Digital Experience at Athabasca University, and serve as Vice President (North) for Digital Alberta.
Ted EricksonDirector Digital Experience Athabasca University
Ted Erickson
Michael Stuhldreier began his career as a Catholic School teacher in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He then went on to teach adults before finishing his career as a Curriculum Consultant at a Winnipeg college. He received his Bachelor of Education from the University of Manitoba in 1989 and his Master of Education (in Distance Education) from Athabasca University in 2008. He recently retired from his college position and moved with his wife to Vancouver, B.C. Michael’s professional and volunteer work has afforded him the opportunity to work with diverse groups of people. During his career, he volunteered on numerous professional and college committees. A strong believer in giving back to his community, he was a Director on the Board of Volunteer Manitoba from 2009 and a member of United Way Winnipeg’s Main Floor Council from 2011 until his move to Vancouver in 2018. Michael is trained and experienced in project management, occupational analysis, strategic planning, focus group facilitation, survey development, educational technologies, and instructional design. He is experienced facilitating the development of strategic plans, aligning the plans to an organization’s mission, vision and values and facilitating the development of operational plans that ensure strategic goals are met. He has developed and presented training on the application of learning theory, assessment and evaluation, and instructional design. He co-developed a model for the development of curriculum using the Indigenous Medicine Wheel which has been presented both nationally and internationally. Following retirement, Michael now works as a consultant, providing expertise and training in the field of education as well as strategic and operational planning facilitation. In his spare time, he enjoys travelling, spending time with family and friends, and photography.
Michael StuhldreierB.Ed., M.Ed.
Michael Stuhldreier
Anglican Bishop Rev. Gregory Kerr-Wilson is the current Anglican bishop of Anglican Diocese of Calgary. He is a graduate of the University of British Columbia, and of Nashotah house Episcopal Seminary, and was ordained into the priesthood in 1990, beginning his career as curate of St. Paul’s, Bloor Street, Toronto. After this he was rector of the Church of the Holy Family, Brampton then Dean of Edmonton before his ordination to the episcopate. He was ordained as a bishop in the Diocese of Qu’Appelle in 2006. And on June 16, 2012, the Rt. Rev. Gregory Kerr-Wilson was elected Bishop of Calgary. Bishop Greg is a long-time supporter of the Ecumenical vision of Sanctum Retreat.
Gregory Kerr-WilsonAnglican Bishop of Calgary
Gregory Kerr-Wilson
Robert Arsenault is the President and C.E.O. of a successful excavating construction business, being involved in this industry for more than 40 years. He started his career in the Banking Sector, received his 3rd Class Power Engineering and is a Commercial Pilot for Helicopters and Fixed Wing Aircraft. Having a passion for machines, and understanding the need in the construction business, Robert took a chance on starting his own business using some of the biggest, loudest machines such as Giant Bucket Excavators, Backhoes, Dozers, Rock Trucks and Rock Crushing Equipment. The success of the business motivated his son, Mathew, to join him in the family business. During a very trying time in his life, Robert received a significant and substantial gift from a very generous couple. This life-changing event orchestrated Robert’s drive to give back whenever possible. Robert extends a helping hand whenever possible, donating to a variety of charities. In 2005, the Sheep River flooded; his home and he were stranded. With help from his son and friends, they were able to save the home, encapsulating his belief that by giving we receive. Robert has been a long-time supporter of Sanctum Retreat. A father of two and grandfather of one, Robert spends his spare time with family, participates in his local church, plays guitar, sings, rides his motorcycle and enjoys any and all sports.
Robert ArsenaultPresident and CEO of MJR Contracting Services Ltd.
Robert Arsenault
Dr. Anne Kleffner is an Associate Professor of Risk Management and Insurance at the Haskayne School of Business. She joined the University of Calgary in 1992. Anne received her BSBA from Creighton University, and a PhD in Applied Economics and Managerial Science from The University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School. Anne teaches primarily in the undergraduate program in the areas of property and liability insurance and risk management. She also teaches in the Directors’ Education Program for the Institute of Corporate Directors and in the Executive MBA program. Anne’s particular areas of research interest include enterprise risk management, insurance solvency, and automobile liability compensation systems. She has published research in The Journal of Risk and Insurance, Risk Management and Insurance Review, The Journal of Insurance Regulation and The Ivey Business Journal. Anne is an Associate Editor of The Journal of Insurance Issues and is a member of the Risk Theory Society. She is a Past President of the Board for Calgary Meals on Wheels. In her spare time Anne enjoys hiking, running, and traveling. Anne is Roman Catholic and one of the Founding Benefactors for Sanctum Retreat.
Anne Kleffner Ph.D.Professor of Risk Management, University of Calgary
Anne Kleffner Ph.D.