Retreatant Information
Check In/Check Out
Guests may check in anytime after 4:00 PM CST. If you will be arriving after 4:00 PM your Hermitage information will be posted on the bulletin board located in the lobby of St. Mary's Hall. We ask guests to check out by 11:00 AM CST. If the office is closed you may return your key in the Express Check-Out Box in the lobby of St. Mary's Hall.
For assistance when the office is closed please contact Suzanne Warner, our Resident Host. Suzanne lives on the grounds at St. Joseph's Hall in Apartment 1. You may reach her by phone, 931.598.5348 or 502.552.8171. If Suzanne is unavailable please contact our Executive Director Thomas Morris, 931.598.9496 or 931.636.8399, or our Assistant Director Kerrie Moser, 931.924.3917 or 847.987.7770.
In the event of a police, fire or medical emergency, please call the Sewanee Emergency Dispatch at 931.598.1111. The street address for St. Mary's Sewanee is 770 St. Mary's Lane, Sewanee, Tennessee.
Hospitality
Please notify any staff member if you have any needs. We have a small supply of sundries and a first aid kit in the lower cabinet of the Display Case in the lobby of St. Mary's Hall.
Coffee and tea and ice are always available in the lobby. A soft drink machine is located across from Room 101 in St. Mary's Hall on the first floor. There is also a courtesy guest phone in that room as well as the top of the ramp on the second floor. Long distant calls require a phone card. Cell phone coverage is generally good. Phone messages for guests received in the office will be placed on the Guest Information Bulletin Board in the lobby of St. Mary's Hall.
Wireless Internet connection is available in the lobby of St. Mary's Hall. Of course we encourage those on retreat to minimize phone and email use.
Meals
Retreatants generally choose to prepare their own simple meals in their hermitage. Meals may be reserved in our Dining Room when it is open.
Our Grounds
St. Mary's Sewanee offers 280 acres of forest, bluff and pasture for your enjoyment. In addition the 13,000 acres of the domain of the University of the South are nearby. Information about hikes and walks on our grounds and nearby is available in the lobby of St. Mary's Hall.
Chapel and Reading Room
These two rooms are located at the end of the first floor corridor. Both are available for use as quiet spaces. In the Reading Room you will find a collection of books specifically chosen with the personal retreatant in mind. Please feel free to borrow any book while on retreat. Copies of our Personal Retreat Collection as well as other titles are available for purchase in the Gift Display in the lobby of St. Mary's Hall.
Worship
The Sisters of St. Mary Convent is a beautiful 5 minute walk from our Hermitages. Weekday and Sunday services are observed at Otey Memorial Episcopal Church and All Saints Chapel at the University of the South, both in Sewanee. A schedule of worship services is located in your Hermitage.
Spiritual Direction/Companionship
Those on personal retreats may find it beneficial to schedule time with a spiritual director or companion while on retreat. One common rhythm is to meet at the beginning of the retreat and again at the end. Please indicate on your registration form if you would like to schedule spiritual direction during your retreat and our Executive Director will contact you.
Massages/Yoga
A certified Massage Therapist and a certified yoga instructor are available upon request. Additional fees apply. Please inquire in the office for more information.