The Open Door, Inc.

The Open Door, Inc.

the active ministries of Msgr. Chester Michael

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The Open Door, Inc.

Welcome!

You have found The Open Door, a non-profit organization founded in 1972 in the state of Virginia by Monsignor Chester P. Michael, a retired Roman Catholic priest still active in the Richmond Diocese. The mission of the organization is to promote the study of religion and the pursuit of spirituality by the general public.

Msgr. Chet Michael has had a profound impact on the lives of many of us in Central Virginia and beyond. We offer this web site in gratitude for his reflection of Christ's love in our lives, and in the hopes that he may enrich the faith journey of many others. Even at 90 years of age, Msgr. Michael continues his ministries through his Spiritual Direction Institute, through his week-long and weekend retreats, through his books and recordings, through serving as the guest celebrant at local Masses, and through providing spiritual direction to many.

We invite you to explore this site, to learn more about Msgr. Michael, and to learn more about his message that challenges each of us to grow in wholeness and maturity by developing our unlimited potential for love. "Maturity, sanctity, wholeness--all refer to that situation in life where all of our energies for love have been released and directed with the right priority toward the greatest possible development of one's true and inner self, toward other human beings, and toward God." (Arise, p.10)

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What's New ...

8/9/07

Added Retreat Schedule for 2008

7/30/07

Added Bishops Homily at 90th Birthday Celebration

3/2/07

Added Couples Retreat info for May 25-27

1/29/07

New SDI Class Forming. Introductory Meeting on March 4, 2007

12/7/06

2006 Christmas letter added

2005 Christmas letter added

11/22/06

Photos from Fr. Chet Michael's 90th Birthday celebration are posted at http://www.10000jesuses.org/album (lots of pictures) and in the Photo Gallery (a few pictures)

10/11/06

Photo Gallery page added.

8/30/06

2007 6-Day Directed Retreat schedule added to the events.

6/20/06

Added link to Subscribe to the Open Door Email List

10/19/05

Added 6-Day Directed Retreat at the Well in 2006

Added SDI Post Graduate Sessions

8/4/05

There are still openings in the 2005-2007 Spiritual Direction Institute program which is now forming. If you are interested, contact Msgr. Chet Michael by August 27.

2006 6-Day Directed Retreat schedule added to the events.

7/12/05

Added Online ordering of all books, tapes & CD's via PayPal as new ordering option

3/7/05

Updated SDI Graduate Book Club Meeting announcement

1/26/05

Added Christmas 2004 letter from Fr. Chet Michael

1/5/05

Back Issues of "The Open Door" available for $2 per copy.

Updated Retreat Schedule for 2005

12/7/04

Updated SDI Graduate Book Club Meeting announcement

8/11/04

Updated Retreat Schedule for 2005

7/22/04

Updated SDI Graduate Book Club Meeting announcement

3/23/04

Updated SDI Graduate Book Club Meeting announcement

2/25/04

Added new book published January 2004 by Paulist Press:
An Introduction to Spiritual Direction

Added availability of CD albums in addition to cassette tape albums

Updated Order Form to include CD albums

Updated Retreat Schedule for 2004

Updated list of Spiritual Directors

1/20/04

Updated SDI Graduate Book Club Meeting announcement

12/18/03

Added new letters to "Current Message" page

A Look at the Future

Advent Goal: Getting Life in Balance

Christmas Message 2003

12/11/03

Updated list of Spiritual Directors

10/2/03

Updated Retreat Schedule for 2004

9/30/03

Updated SDI Graduate Book Club Meeting announcement

Updated list of Spiritual Directors

8/12/03

Updated list of Spiritual Directors

7/23/03

Updated list of Spiritual Directors

7/8/03

Updated list of Spiritual Directors

6/18/03

Updated SDI Graduate Book Club Meeting announcement

Updated list of Spiritual Directors

6/9/03

Added new "Current Message" from Fr. Michael: Daily Personal Growth Plan

5/7/03

Updated list of Spiritual Directors

2/6/03

Added new 6-Day Directed Retreat at Shalom House, August 24-30, 2003

1/31/03

Updated SDI Graduate Book Group Meeting for March 2003

12/20/02

Added Christmas Message 2002

12/6/02

Updated SDI Graduate Book Group Meeting for January 2003

9/20/02

Updated SDI Graduate Meeting for November

8/30/02

Added summer retreat dates for 2003

Added info on retreat at Shalom House on 9/13-15/02

7/26/02

Edited email addresses for Spiritual Directors

Added Carolyn England to Spiritual Direction page

6/27/02:

Updated SDI Graduate Meeting

Added Retreat by Walter Wink in Richmond

Other minor edits to "Retreats & Events" page

4/30/02:

Added Fr. Michael to be honored at Cathedral Mass with bishop

Added Catholic Virginian Article 4/15/02 entitled "Living a Vocation for 60 Years: Msgr. Chet Michael at 85 keeps a busy ministry."

4/22/02: Added Bishop's Homily at 60th Anniversary Celebration

4/21/02: Minor updates

3/22/02: Updated SDI Graduate Meeting

3/1/02: Added Jim August to "Spiritual Direction" page

2/13/02: Added Brian Ancarrow to "Spiritual Direction" page; other minor changes

2/3/02: Added New Book Published: A Christian Worldview on "Current Message" page

1/24/02:

Added Anna Margolius to "Spiritual Direction" page

Added Homily for Casey Norrisey's Mass of the Resurrection on "Current Message" page

Added announcements of the following on "Retreats & Events" page:

Fr. Chet Michaels 60th anniversary of priestly ordination

SDI Graduate Meeting

Weekend retreat for SDI graduates of 2001

Weekend retreat at Massanetta Springs

Weekend retreat at The Well

1/16/02: Added Obituary: Casimir E. Norrisey

1/7/02:

Added announcement of Centering Prayer Workshop on Feb 16.

Added page on Terms & Conditions on use of the web site

Minor edits of web site

12/30/01:

Added reprint of Daily Progress article published April 23, 2000 entitled "For 58 Years Monsignor Michael Has Provided Spiritual Care and He's Still ... Walking Destiny's Path" under "Current Message" page.

Added "What's New" section on home page

Updated "Contact Information" page to include Church of the Incarnation and Camp Bethel

For questions, comments or suggestions regarding this site, please contact Gregg Kendrick.