• Comfortable clothes you don't mind getting a little dirty. Bring layers and a warm jacket. In the winter, lows can be in the 30s and highs in the 50s. In the spring time, lows can be in the mid-40s and highs from the low 60s to low 80s. Summer is much warmer with highs in 90s but still cooling off in the evening. A hat/beanie will be useful too.

• Sneakers/work boots that can get dust or muddy/wet and are good for walking on uneven surfaces. You must wear closed-toed shoes if you want to work with our animals. If you have a pair of work gloves, bring those. But we have plenty to loan out if you need some.

• Thick socks or slippers. We ask that everyone remove their shoes before entering the guest cottages, so bring something to keep your feet cozy.

• Personal toiletries including shampoo and bath soap. If you use a hairdryer, please bring your own.

• We have journals and pens that you are welcome to take as a gift from Iona House. But bring your own favorite journal/pen if you prefer to use those.

We provide the following:

• Bedding: pillow, sheets, and blankets (twin sized beds)

• Bathroom / shower: towels, wash cloth

• Kitchen: oven, cooktop, cookware, plates, cups, utensils, and some basic seasonings.

• Coffee maker with small coffee selection, sugar, and tea.

We also provide a copy of the Iona House Prayer Book, a journal, and pen for each guest.

Upon request, we can provide a pack ‘n play for small children.

Bathroom: Bring your own shampoo, conditioner, and soap

Kitchen: Your food. There are multiple grocery stores within 10-15 minutes: 

• Grocery Outlet

• SaveMart

• Raley's

• Safeway

Your own specialty tea/coffee (we have basic elements)

We go through a rigorous cleaning regime to assure the highest hygienic standards. All bedding is washed, the restroom, sleeping, living, and eating areas are all cleaned between each guest.

St. Catherine features twin-sized mattresses. There is one bunk and a single bed in one room (up to 3 people). The back bedroom has two twin beds and an en-suite half bath. There is a loft with one twin bed. In total, this cottage can sleep 6. All the rooms share the one full bathroom that is off the living room.

We strongly recommend living into the daily rhythm of life already unfolding on campus:

• Prayer times: 9am, noon, 4:30pm

• Manual labor (a variety of tasks from easy/casual to those that are physically demanding are available) - morning between 9:30-noon or afternoon 1-3pm. Ask the staff or residents how you can get involved.

• Silence & Solitude - any time, but campus wide between 3-4:30pm daily

Other possibilities:

• Study - check out a book from the library (2500+ volumes)

• A spontaneous shared meal with other guests / residents / staff: often people grab their lunches and bring them to the back deck of the village barn to eat together. Ask about this if you’re interested.

• Request a 30-50 minute Spiritual Direction session

• Request a pastoral meeting with a priest with a time of private confession

• Rest / Sleep - many of our guests tell us they sleep so well here!

• Art / writing / creativity - this is a very “right-brained” setting

• Walking - prayer trails and labyrinth

• Help feed the animals with residents in the morning (8:40am) or evening (times vary depending on the time of year).

Iona House is located between Placerville and Camino. But its weather is more similar to Camino.

We do not allow animals of any kind in our homes or on campus. Unfortunately, you will need to leave your pet and/or your emotional support animal at home.

We DO, however, have many wonderful creatures who make their home on our campus, both domestic animals and wild ones.

No, we do not have WiFi available anywhere on campus. This is an intentional decision to allow for some margin from the incessant intrusion of technology. Consider the absence of internet on campus a feature, not a bug. :)

If you need internet, there is a Starbucks about 10 minutes from campus.

Note that we STRONGLY discourage bringing your ordinary work to Iona House. This is a place for contemplation and Christian formation, not an off-site for your normal work. We are happy to provide other types of “work” for you in the form of physical labor as a part of our holistic approach to spiritual formation.

Yes, all of the major carriers (AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, etc.) seem to get signal on campus, though on the 1-2 bars level of signal strength.

We have a standard 110/115v outlet that you can plug your car into.

You will notice that each of our dwellings around the campus are named after a saint. Saint Catherine of Siena was a significantly important person in the 14th century. She was a mystic whose writings and teachings massively impacted the Church - to the degree that she was declared to be a “Doctor of the Church” (one of two women to hold that title).

For more of her story…

There are two forms of heat for St. Felicity:

1. A propane stove located in the back bedroom. To use the propane stove, use the remote to turn it on and set the thermostat. If the remote isn’t working look for a small manual switch hanging below the stove (“Remote”, “on”, “off”). Turn the switch to “on”. In this setting it is always on until you turn it off.

2. Build a fire in the woodstove. We provide wood, fire starting material, and lighters for you to start a fire. Instructions are provided in the house for those who have never done this before. It IS safe to leave the fire going while you’re out of the house as long as the door of the woodstove is shut.

If you need help building a fire or managing the temperature in your cottage, please ask a staff member or resident to assist you.

Unfortunately our guest cottages do not have central air conditioning. To cool down the house you will need to utilize a combination of opening and closing windows at the right time, fans, a window mounted a/c unit, and the evaporative air cooler that is provided. There are specific instructions located on the wall about best practices for cooling the house down.

You can ask a staff person or resident for assistance with managing your cottage’s temperature.

Please tell a member of the staff and/or a resident and we will seek to address the issue as soon as possible. Note that we are GRATEFUL when you tell us so that we can fix the problem. Thank you!

Our homes have locks that you can use to help you feel safe while you’re inside. Note that because we are in a rural area where only campus guests / staff are, we do not typically lock up the houses between guests. PLEASE DO NOT lock the house as you depart. Leave it unlocked. Thank you!

You are welcome to pray in the Village Prayer Chapel at any time day or night. It is heated in the winter for this purpose.

The Library / Welcome Center is available for use any time day or night. It is heated in the winter for this purpose and is often the coolest space in the summer.

The Spiritual Direction Room can be used for private prayer as long as it is not in use by a staff person. Please note the sign on the front of the door and/or ask a staff person.

Prayer Huts may be used for prayer and study with permission from a staff person. We ask people not staying in the huts not to use the loft where the bedding is so that we don’t have to launder all the bedding materials before the next guest comes in.

Also available to visit / experience:

• The Prayer Labyrinth - on the Abbey side of the property.

• The Village Garden - feel free to walk around (and harvest something). If you want to assist in the garden, talk to a resident or staff person.

• The Village Barn - which functions a bit like the “watering hole” of Iona House - with the eating area, kids’ play area, and animals all there.

• Prayer Trails - go all over the property. You’re welcome to use them.

• The Animals - you may visit with them through the fence. Children must have adult supervision. Please don’t try to go inside the animal area without permission.

Please do not enter other guest cottages on campus as we may have other guests staying there, or are trying to keep it clean for arriving guests.

YES! It’s there for you to use alongside other guests, residents, and staff. Please turn off the propane tank when you’re done using the BBQ.

Unfortunately, no. We would like to keep our books on campus for other guests.

You CAN take an Iona House Prayer Book home with you.

During the winter / spring seasons we burn debris piles on the ground as a fire-safety measure to reduce fire risk in the hot season. It’s common (and recommended) practice in this area.

If you see a fire that looks like it is out of the pile or crawling away from where it started or appears to be dangerous in some way, please call Ryan (415.516.0551) or talk to a staff person / resident. Please DO NOT call the fire department or 911.

We never ask for money from any of our guests. It is truly a gift we are giving (echoing the generosity of God). That being said, if you feel so moved, you are welcome to partner with us by making a gift towards Iona House’s operating costs - allowing others to experience what you are experiencing. We operate entirely on the basis of gifts and generosity (there is no wealthy person footing the bill of Iona House; it is supported entirely by a community of generous, oftentimes sacrificial, givers).

You can learn more about our underlying philosophy of generosity here.

Also, you may be interested to learn about ARBOR - our network of monthly supporters that make Iona House possible. This page also describes our ongoing costs.