Fr. Louis Studer OMI (Director)

Fr. Louis Studer OMI is from Wesley, Iowa.  His ministry has involved him in parish work, education, and formation.  He spent ten years as the Director of the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows in Belleville, Illinois; as well as eight years as Oblate Director of the Missionary Association of Mary Immaculate.  He returns to his brother’s and sister’s farms in Wesley, Iowa periodically for a refresher course in rural theology.  He has been Director of Christ the King Retreat Center since January, 2008. 

Fr. Jim Deegan OMI (Team Member)

Fr. Jim is a native of Richfield, MN. He was ordained in 1970 and over the years has served as a parish priest, a hospital chaplain, a vocation director, a mentor to Oblate seminarians, and a community leader. This is the second time that he has been assigned to Christ the King. He is a member of the Preaching Team and is available for Spiritual Direction. 

Fr. Lon Konold, OMI (Team Member)

Fr. Lon is originally from Minnesota and calls Minneapolis his home town.  Upon Ordination, Fr. Lon served for 13 years in Scandinavia, and was one of the founders of the Oblate mission in Norway.  Having returned to the United States in November of 1990, Fr. Lon helped organize the Oblate Preaching Team to conduct Parish Renewals (missions).  After 156 parish renewal missions, he was assigned to the preaching staff at Immaculata Retreat House in Willimantic, CT from 2000-2008.  He joined the staff at Christ the King Retreat Center in July, 2008.

Sr. Brenda Rose Szegedy, OSF (Team Member)

Sr. Brenda Rose was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan.  She made her first profession of vows in 1963 and final vows in 1968 as a member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania, Ohio.  She earned an MA in Education from the University of Detroit and an MA in Pastoral Ministry and Spirituality from Marygrove College in Detroit.  The first half of her ministerial life included teaching at the elementary and junior high levels and adult faith formation. For the past twenty plus years she has ministered at various retreat centers in Ohio, Buffalo, NY, and Lantana, FL in planning and presenting retreats, days/evenings of renewal for groups and being available for spiritual direction. She has also worked for eight years in the area of initial and ongoing formation for the women in her community and was co-director of the Associates of the Sisters of St. Francis.  Sr. Brenda Rose arrived here at Christ the King in July, 2008 and is looking forward to meeting many more persons by being part of the beautiful ministry here along with her Oblate brothers and other members of the staff.

Al Svobodny, OMI (Public Relations Manager)

Fr Al is the friendly face who greets our retreatants upon their arrival to Christ the King Retreat Center. Fr Al is also the one to send them home with a joke to lighten the heart and is the backbone to Christ the King's hospitality and public relations ministry.

Nancy (Administrative Assistant)

Nancy started working at King's House in November of 1999. Along with bookkeeping duties she serves as assistant to the director. She also is responsible for the Retreat Registration for individuals as well as developing contracts for retreat groups.

Donna (Secretary/Receptionist)

Donna started working at Christ the King in May of 2002. As secretary, she is responsible for mailing retreat invitations, updating the database for name and addresses of retreatants, working with newsletter and fundraising letters, revising brochures, and answering the telephone. Hers is usually the first voice you hear when you call us.

Sharon (Gift Shop Manager)

Sharon started working here in April of 2005. She had served for 24 years in various parish ministries, as elementary school teacher, principal, and faith formation coordinator. Her background serves us well as she keeps the gift shop well stocked with good “food for the soul”.

Bruce (Maintenance Supervisor)

Bruce has worked at Christ the King since 1998. As maintenance Engineer he is responsible for all of the building functions and care of the grounds. He finds the work here, though frustrating at times, to be both challenging and rewarding.

Patty (Kitchen Supervisor)

Patty started working at Christ the King Retreat Center in the Spring of 2000 as a part-time cook. In September of 2008, she began her current position as Food-Services Supervisor. In addition to being a wonderful cook, she plans the menus for retreatants, schedules the cooks and servers, and oversees their work.

Rosa (Housekeeping)

Rosa is very happy to be at Christ the King Retreat Center. She has co-owned and operated a small janitorial business in Colorado and a housekeeping service in California. Her love of quilting and gardening keeps her busy at home, along with her husband of 25 years, 5 children and one grandchild. She loves the challenge, peacefulness, and fellowship that radiates in this holy place.

The Staff of Christ The King Retreat Center