Team

Saint Gabriel’s
Spiritual Center for Youth

Fr. Vincent Youngberg, C.P., Retreat Director

Bryan Knipfing, Associate Retreat Director

Allyse Gruslin, Retreat Team

Chris Mandato, Retreat Team

Retreat

Hello, My name is Fr. Vincent. At the height of World War II I dropped out of High School and enlisted in the Navy working in both the North Atlantic and South Pacific as a gunner on merchant ships carrying supplies to our troops overseas. After my discharge I worked as a helper on a truck delivering furniture before returning back to High School and eventually Pace College earning a Bachelor Degree in Business Administration. While working in accounting firms post-college, I had a profound retreat experience at a Passionist Retreat House and felt my calling to the religious life. After being ordained in 1967 I have conducted missions and retreats around the world including Europe, Africa, the Philippines, the West Indies, the US and of course here at St. Gabriel’s.

Hi everyone!! My name is Bryan, but out on the mean streets of Shelter Island they call me B-Unit! I grew up on Long Island, in a small town called Miller Place (a.k.a. MP). After high school I went to Siena College for a year and a half and then transferred to St. Joseph’s College. I graduated from St. Joe’s with a degree in elementary education. After college I spent a year in Baraboo, Wisconsin volunteering at a camp and retreat center called Camp Gray. When I’m not working on retreats I like to run, go to organic food stores, read, and hang out on the mean streets of S.I. I used to come out to St. Gabe’s for retreats throughout high school and college and this is my second year as a retreat leader. I am very excited to meet all you new peeps and to see some familiar faces throughout this year.

Heeeeey! I’m Allyse aka ATrain originally hailing from Pawtucket, Rhode Island—the proud home to the Pawtucket Red Sox. I graduated this past May from Assumption College in Worcester, MA with a B.A. in Philosophy. I was involved in many clubs and activities while at Assumption including planning campus events, the orientation program, Campus Ministry, and, most importantly, our Chapel Choir. Singing is my favorite thing to do! I also enjoy reading, knitting, swimming, volleyball, and ice cream . Although this is my first time at St. Gabriel’s, retreats have been a huge part of my life since high school and they are the best time everrrr. I am so excited to join St. Gabe’s for this retreat season, and can’t wait to meet all of you!!!

Howdy! My name is Chris, a.k.a. C-Dawg, originally from the good old town of Massapequa on Long Island. I recently graduated from SUNY Geneseo as a Trumpet Music Performance Major where I was very active in my campus Newman Group. In my free time I enjoy playing Ultimate Frisbee, performing all types of music, eating, reading, smiling and of course chillin’ with my posse. When I grow up I want to be just like Superman! I am psyched to be back at St. Gabe’s this year, a place I had frequented in High School, and am looking forward to meeting all you great people coming out here this year. See you soon!!!

* It is against policy for us to be Facebook friends with retreatants, but we would love to stay in touch, so please email us and sign the Guestbook!!

ABC’s E-mails:
Allyse aka A-Train: agruslin@cpprov.org
Bryan aka B-Unit: bknipfing@cpprov.org
Chris aka C-Dawg: cmandato@cpprov.org