Encouraging, Inspiring, Recharging, & Nourishing sisters in christ, body & soul!
Clearbright Cottage Inc. is a registered 501C3 non-profit Catholic retreat house especially for women. It was founded by Claire Thérèse Heyne, a little bride of Christ, in May of 2021. Having served in the Covington, Kentucky diocese for many years as a spiritual director to women, Claire Thérèse's discerned dream was to have a retreat house from which she could guide & nourish these women directees, body & soul. She named the non-profit after her patroness, St. Clare of Assisi, and closed on a house (a lovely log cabin on a lake!) October 4th, 2021, the feast of St. Francis of Assisi. The cabin is located in Perry Park, a golf resort surrounded by Kentucky bluegrass hills & whitetail deer.
Retreatants may sign up for a scheduled retreat or book a custom-made retreat. Options include healthy meals from scratch, true recreation (biking, kayaking, & hiking), quiet prayer, lectures on Spiritual Theology (incorporating beautiful art & music), fellowship, workouts (ballet included), therapeutic massage, & Adoration of Jesus. (There is a Catholic chapel in Perry Park.) Clearbright can host day groups of 12-15 maximum & overnight groups of 6-8. Retreatants must be friends of Claire Thérèse, but these friends are welcome to bring anyone for whom they can vouch.
Clearbright hopes to help you become ever more clear & bright for Christ!
meet our Clearbright team
Claire Thérèse Heyne
Founder & President
Claire Thérèse is a consecrated virgin, a bride of Christ. She has a doctorate (ABD) in Spiritual Theology & is a certified health & wellness coach. (She is also trained in ballet, ballroom, & therapeutic massage.) Claire is a spiritual director to women (15 years & counting), a graduate Theology professor at CIU & the Athenaeum of Ohio, & a Catholic author. Along with her 2 sisters, she founded Eccomi Press. She loves to feed people, body & soul, by cooking organic meals from scratch & guiding them to Love Himself in the Eucharist.
Marla Mary Garmo
Treasurer
Marla M. Garmo, LMSW, is a social worker with over twelve years of experience in the child welfare system. She is currently pursuing a Master of Business Administration degree with a concentration in Management at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. She serves as the Board Treasurer of Clearbright Cottage Inc. and has been a diligent support!
Kristina J. Awdish
Secretary
Kristina is mom of two children on earth and four more in heaven. She has a B.A. in Political Science and Theology, and an M.A. in Theology. She has been working as an Administrative Assistant at Sun Communities since 2015, while trying to keep her home clean and family fed! She serves as the Board Secretary of Clearbright Cottage Inc.
Maria E. Bascom
Consultant
Maria is a devoted wife and mom to seven amazing children. She has a B.A. in Theology, is certified as a Catechesis of the Good Shepherd guide, and is a pro at fixing things and navigating technology. She founded Eccomi Press with her sisters and is the editor in chief and formatter. She is consulted about many details when it comes to Clearbright Cottage Inc., from the spiritual to the mundane-- her advice is invaluable!
Clearbright Cottage Inc. 200 Whippoorwill Ln. Perry Park, KY. 40363 (859) 907-3302 clearbrightcottage@gmail.com
