New Director of Holy Spirit Retreat Center Is a Familiar Face

When Sister Rochelle Mitchell, 68, first told her parents she wanted to join a religious community, they weren't happy about it. She was only 18, and they wanted her to go to college, get married and have grandchildren.

Sister Chris Machado's family felt similarly. At 33, Machado had been living a bohemian life as an actress, traveling all over the country to perform in shows and musicals.  

But both women felt a calling and saw it as God's purpose for them to join the Sisters of Social Service in Los Angeles, an organization that is part of the Catholic church.  Sister Mitchell and Sister Machado found themselves working at the Holy Spirit Retreat Center on Lanai Road in Encino.

After 15 years directing the Holy Spirit Retreat Center, Mitchell is stepping down to take a position directing the Sisters of Social Service. Machado, who was the Director of Programming at the center for three years, took her place on Aug. 15.

"I'm leaving (my position) in good hands," Mitchell, 58, said. "I've loved working for the center."

The Holy Spirit Retreat Center is run by the Sisters of Social Service and provides programs and retreats for people of all faiths and walks of life.  Originally founded in the early 1930s, the first location of the center was in the mid-Wilshire district of Los Angeles. It moved to its current location in 1969. 

Located in the hills of Encino, the 10-acre property comprises meeting rooms, a dining room, 24 bedrooms for overnight guests, a chapel and gardens. It's a place where people of different faiths can hold their own retreats and have open dialogue. Christians, Buddhists, Muslims, Jews, Hindus and even people of no faith have visited the center. 

"We respect everybody's right to know God and serve God in their own way," Mitchell said. "We don't proselytize or try to convert people to Catholicism.  People are always welcome to come out here to the grounds."

And, eventually, both Mitchell and Machado's parents changed their minds. 

Mitchell did go to college after all. She earned a bachelor's degree in psychology at the University of San Diego and completed a master's degree in social work at Cal State University, Sacramento. 

"They were hoping I would [quit]," Mitchell said about her parents. "By the time they realized I was happy, they came around."

Machado's parents were easier to convince.

"My mother had hoped that I would stick with my acting, and my father had hoped that I would go into politics," Machado said. "Once I had entered, they were completely supportive of me."

Machado holds a bachelor's degree in music with an emphasis on voice from Cal State Los Angeles and an associate of arts degree from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts West. 

Since making her first vows, Machado has been a pastoral associate at a parish in the San Gabriel Valley and has worked at the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. 

As the new executive director, Machado plans to provide the community with courses in nonviolent ways to solve conflicts. She also plans to expand the center's healing elements and offer psychological, physical and spiritual healing for people. 

"I love this place and really want to see it taken care of," Machado said. "When we show you hospitality, we show Him hospitality.