In March of 2000, after serving in several ministries at the parish level, Erin (along with a girlfriend) heard the Lord’s invitation to establish a women’s retreat ministry. Since then Erin has dedicated her time and gifts to developing Vine of Grace Retreat Ministry with her co-founder, Gloria Roberts.
Erin’s approach as a speaker at retreats, conferences, workshops, and parish missions is direct and bold. Preparation for every speaking engagement begins with thorough research of the Church’s teaching and God’s word. Her personal testimony is interwoven throughout her message, and each retreat or teaching is specifically designed to meet the expectations of the organization she is speaking to. Her compassion, humor, conviction, and enthusiasm are contagious. Erin communicates God’s message in a clear and practical way that allows hearts to be touched, moved, and inspired to grow in holiness by opening their lives to the gifts and empowerment of the Holy Spirit.
Erin’s strength in designing, planning, organizing, and implementing retreats turns any ministry event into a spectacular platform for the Holy Spirit to move and the Lord to bring healing and conversion! Erin is dedicated to teaching, mentoring, and leading others on their personal faith journey.
She is passionate about sharing the power of God’s word and transforming grace to all she meets. Erin’s life has been one of many rich experiences that allows her to share from the heart on personal issues regarding the healing of family relationships, the effect of divorce, cancer, alcoholism, anger, the death of a sibling, marriage struggles, conversion, and ministry formation challenges. These are just some of the ways her life has been personally touched and where God has been able to bring profound healing and hope into the situation.
Erin continues to use the gifts of the Spirit she has been blessed with to carry out the mission to ignite a new Pentecost in the Church as she responds to her call to evangelization.
Erin currently resides in Tucson, Arizona with David her husband of 40 years. She has 2 daughters, Michelle and Laura , as well as 4 incredible grand children – Owen & Emilia, Norah and Mateo!
To contact Erin and to schedule a speaking engagement or retreat planning consultation, you may write to vineofgrace@att.net or call (520) 631-1408.
See what others are saying about Erin & Vine of Grace Retreat Ministry:
“Erin is a very profound witness of how the Spirit uses people’s gifts to share the good news of the Spirit’s fire and love among us. Erin is multitalented in presenting a retreat or day of renewal. She is very organized, resourceful, committed, and a hard worker. She makes things happen! Her artistic ability brings beauty and good taste to any event creating a prayerful and faith-filled environment. Her disposition, personality and ability to handle all kinds of people make her an asset to any organization or event. With her varied experiences, she brings a wellspring of knowledge and ideas to make the most of any Spirit lead event. The Spirit does not always call the qualified, but the willing. With Erin, the Spirit surely called a willing and highly qualified daughter of God to spread the Word!”
Fr. Joe Rodrigues,SDS – Jordon Ministry
“Erin is an insightful, dynamic speaker who makes the word of God come alive. The practical strategies and stories she relates touch an inner core with people to deepen their relationship with the Holy Spirit.” Sandra A.
“Erin illuminates all around her with the light, love, joy, and truth of Christ. Her enthusiasm and deep love for the Lord are contagious. She is a shining example of what others can have as they, too, draw near to the Lord.” Suzanne B.
“I had a Vine of Grace Retreat in my parish. All of the women who attended were greatly enriched by their experience. It is truly Catholic and emphasizes the teachings of the Church, the importance of the sacraments , and the role of the Holy Spirit. The fruits of the retreat are tangible.” Fr. Abram Dono
“The purpose and focus of a Vine of Grace weekend is simply to offer women of all ages the opportunity to deepen their personal relationship with Jesus Christ through prayer, reflection, and sharing. …I have found them (the leaders & team) to be women of deep faith that wish to serve and minister to other women and share their joy of being Catholic”.
Most Rev. Manuel D. Moreno, DD. Bishop of Tucson (deceased)
“In one word…. Dynamite…. that is Erin Blanchette. Dynamite for Jesus! She is one hundred percent in love with, devoted to, and on fire for Jesus. She is committed to living her life by God’s guidelines and does so with passion, trust, and faithfulness. She is a gifted organizer and motivator whose desire is to share her love of Jesus, the power of the Holy Spirit and allegiance to the Father with everyone she meets. She is a daughter of God reflecting his grace, humor, wit, and delighted to please Him alone. I’m so glad she is my Sister in Christ!” N. Watson
“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” 1 Cor 2:9
Erin Blanchette – International Speaker & Retreat Director
Raised in San Marino, California, Erin Blanchette grew up in a home where religion and spirituality were not emphasized or practiced, yet she was led to accept Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at the age of 13. The seed of her faith journey was planted, and it would take 18 years before her on-again/off-again connection with the Lord would begin to become a deeply-rooted, personal, and intimate relationship. In 1990 Erin felt called to join her husband and daughters in their faith, and she made her decision to convert to Catholicism. Her life has never been the same. She was baptized in the spirit in 1991, and her heart was set ablaze with the desire to serve the Lord. He gave her a passion to share the gospel and to bring the love, mercy, healing, and empowerment of the Holy Spirit to others!