When Life Goes On... Sowing seeds of hope
With Valeria Chow and Sue Ballotti
July 11, 2026
Summer carries a quiet invitation — longer days, open skies, and the gentle reminder that the world keeps turning, even when ours has been upended. This retreat creates a warm and welcoming space to begin finding your way back to yourself.
Using art, discussion, video and story, Valeria and Sue lead a gentle and compassionate day of simple rituals and practices designed to help you move from surviving to slowly, gently thriving. Whether touched by grief, unexpected loss, disconnection, or simply the weight of a life that looks different than you planned, come as you are.
Together, we explore the dual nature of grief and joy, anger and gratitude, loneliness and solitude — and discover how, even in loss, seeds of hope and wholeness can take root. Like summer itself, this day reminds us: light returns, and so can we.
Register online or contact José at 310-377-4867 ext. 250, jsalas@maryjoseph.org
About the Leaders
Valeria Chow
Could you use Life Coaching? Sometimes we feel like aspects of our lives are not going the way we'd like, and we are unsure of what we want or how to get "there". A life coach is a guide, confidant, and accountability partner who encourages and assists in identifying life goals and helps create achievable […]
Learn more about Valeria Chow
Sue Ballotti
Sue Ballotti is a spiritual director, retreat facilitator, and docent for labyrinth walks at Mary & Joseph Retreat Center. She is a Master Catechist for the LA Archdiocese and a past director of RCIA at St. Margaret Mary in Lomita. She serves on the Board of Directors of the MJRC as Vice-President, and is a […]
Learn more about Sue BallottiCategories : Day Retreats & Events, On-Site, Sponsored Retreat