"Diakonia" means servant.  We are inviting people to come be a part of our mission of serving others.  
Our Diakonia will assist in one or more of these ways:

 We are looking for a 3, 6, 9, or 12-Month Commitment to our Diakonia 

Now that we have continuous activity at the Retreat Center from travelers in our hostel to regular events, we are adding to our  summer intern program to a year-round, revolving program at Heart Ridge, meaning you can pick your length of stay and when you want to start and end.  If you decide to stay longer than your original plan, you'll simply put in a request to extend your time.  We want a small group of young adults (2-4) who will assist in running the programs,  serve the guests, and manage the facilities at the retreat center.  Our apostolate is evangelization through 1)hospitality,  2)spending time in nature., and 3)our educational/faith-based/cultural programs.  
We are looking for members for a team of young adults who desire to grow in their faith with others, love the outdoors, and embrace our apostolate of hospitality.   
We need individuals of all varying temperaments who will make up our team.  We need both those who love standing in front of the crowd to those who are happiest setting up the microphones and passing out the songbooks.  We need people with "people" skills or computer skills.  Those who like to work with their hands and get dirty.  And those who are gifted listeners.  
We want people who are willing to use and develop their God-given strengths.​

Here's What We Offer You

  • To live in a supportive and loving community (with a couple other young adults in the program and with our full-time staff.)
  • To grow in knowledge and understanding of the Catholic faith
  • To evangelize and share the gospel to others through hospitality, service, and sometimes through conversations or teaching.
  • To live in one of the most beautiful parts of the country.  We have the largest concentration of waterfalls here.  We also have many trails, lakes, etc.  
  • To develop your gifts and interests.  Whether you want to plan a conference on the Church Fathers, or devise a better method to grow pumpkins, we have many opportunities for you explore your talents and interests.
  • ​A weekly stipend of $100 

Here Are a Few More Details

We want to share a life together and build a community with a common goal.  We will provide room and some board. You will need your own means of transportation as not all meals will be provided. A kitchen will be accessible to you.  Dinner will be provided on the weekends and some weekdays when there are retreats.   If we have more than a couple of members in our Diakonia, we will gather for morning prayer, and weekly for a reflection or book study discussion.  We will work 8 hours on most days, leaving you time to study and pursue other interests. And you will have one day off per week.  We will also ask everyone for an hour of adoration each week for the intentions of the retreatants and Heart Ridge.  

Work at the retreat center during most of the year can include (Most holidays you will have the option to return home.) :
  • Running the hostel, welcoming the travelers
  • Helping to plan and organize events
  • Hosting and monitoring the groups who are there on retreat
  • Cooking and serving the retreatants' meals
  • Maintaining the grounds (removing trees, weeding, raking, chopping wood, mulching, tending the gardens, etc.)
  • Simple maintenance like changing filters, basic plumbing, installing locks, light carpentry and painting
  • Helping to set up and clean meeting spaces before and after retreats
  • Developing other programs at the retreat center.
  • Planting, maintaining, and harvesting the garden
  • Building trails and other outdoor features
  • Taking care of the chickens 

​During the summer camp programs when you are accompanied by our Summer Interns, your responsibilities would be the same as the interns depending on your area of preference or expertise.

If you have questions or would like more information, please email me at [email protected].   

If you'd like to visit the retreat center, please email [email protected] to schedule a time.

To apply, please email a resume to the same address stating why you'd like to do this program as well as what you would hope to accomplish during this Gap time.  Please include several referrals including teachers, clergy, former employees, etc. 

​Also include a proposed schedule of when you would like to come and how long you would stay.

We will be continuously taking applications as this is a revolving-door program, and we will take on members as needed.