Summer at Bergamo Center

Over the summer of 2025, Bergamo Center hosted two local groups from Dayton: The Noble Circle Project, which supports women through a cancer diagnosis by empowering them to help one another, and Women Affirming Women, which supports single mothers and kinship caregivers. Other groups, such as the Kairos Retreat, Marianist LIFE, and the UD Callings Program, for students from Marianist Schools and Universities, also gathered at Bergamo for a time of reflection, prayer, and learning.

It’s been a wonderful summer here at Bergamo! We’ve welcomed a wide range of groups of all ages—some familiar faces who have been coming for years, and others who joined us for the very first time.

One of the new groups we were honored to host was The Noble Circle Project. Founded by eight courageous women from the Dayton area navigating a cancer diagnosis, their mission is to foster inspiration, hope, empowerment, and well-being through nutrition education, energy healing practices, and strong peer support. Another first-time group at Bergamo was Women Affirming Women, an inspiring group that supports unpaid caregivers like single moms and kinship caregivers. We hope their time here brought peace, joy, and well-deserved rest!

Even though school is not in session during the summer months, our center was still graced by the presence of high school groups. We were delighted to host several senior Kairos Retreats and junior retreats in June. In mid-July, students and adults gathered for Marianist LIFE (Life in Faith Experience). Their theme, “Blessed,” perfectly captured the spirit they brought—and how we feel every time they return.

Our strong partnership with University of Dayton (UD) continues, and for the second year in a row, we hosted the UD Callings Program. It is an early arrival program that Campus Ministry offers for incoming first-year students. Using the Marianist Charism as a guide, participants explore their faith and vocation as a student, while engaging with the four principles of Callings: learn, lead, serve and pray.

And finally, how can we not mention the presence of one of our favorite groups, our own Marianist Provincial Council? We were thrilled to be able to host them for their council meetings in August.

We lift up in prayer all the groups that enter through our doors, praying that Bergamo’s sacred space will offer each guest a “spirit of peace and renewal to refresh the body, expand the mind, and renew the spirit.”

Reflection shared by Kelli Kinnear,

Executive Director,

Bergamo Center for Lifelong Learning, Dayton, OH

MFEP Goals: Goal 1- Promote Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation; Goal 3: Listen and Educate in Faith; and Goal 5: Empower through Family Spirit