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OUR UPCOMING FAITH COMMUNITY RETREAT: Focusing on Family Stewardship and Building Fellowship
The excitement is building for our third annual Holy Family Area Retreat that will bring together the parishioners of St. Joseph, St. Andrew, and St. James Parishes in a weekend of spiritual renewal, reflection, and adoration. The retreat will be held at St. Joseph Church in Montevideo.
Anne Marie Halvorson of St. Joseph and Billie Rillo of St. Andrew are the hostesses putting it all together. The retreat will begin on Friday, Nov. 5 at 6 p.m. with a banquet, a talk, and some Adoration. The retreat will continue on Saturday, Nov. 6 at 8 a.m. with Mass, followed by talks, small group discussion, prayer, and reflection to include Eucharistic Adoration. The retreat will end at 2 p.m.
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Lisa McArdle of Catholic Stewardship Consultants will be the featured speaker Saturday with the theme “Stewardship Starts at Home.” There will be four different sessions: “Stewardship – a Family Call,” “Living as a Stewardship Family,” “Bring it to the Lord” and “The Four Family Pillars.” Small-group discussions will enable those attending to share and discuss what they have been learning. Reflection time also will be offered.
“During reflection time, we often hear God speak, and we can uncover our own special calling according to the gifts we’ve been given,” Anne Marie says.
The spiritual growth experienced during last year’s retreat moved Anne Marie to step forward to help make this year’s retreat just as welcoming.
“I attended the retreat last year, and I was just so overwhelmed with how it blessed me,” Anne Marie says. “Billie and I volunteered to do this. It is so incredibly delightful and moved us in what we gained from it.”
The timing for the retreat — in autumn, shortly before Thanksgiving — offers a unique time for reflection and spiritual growth.
“This is a good time to bless our people and replenish our spirits and engage them in discovery, inspiration, and reflection of the spiritual gifts we get from the Holy Spirit, as He speaks to our hearts,” Anne Marie says.
There is no cost for the retreat, but please RSVP to the Area Office. Those attending are asked to respond so plans can be made for food. In addition to the Friday banquet, there will be continental breakfast and lunch served on Saturday.
“No one goes away hungry,” Anne Marie says. “The food is wonderfully done!”
There is no doubt that our bodily hunger will be satisfied during the retreat, but more importantly, there will be nourishment for our spiritual hunger.
“This is a time for God to refresh our spirits so we can set aside time to be with the Lord and each other,” Anne Marie says. “Most importantly, we grow spiritually hungry and crave renewal — what the retreat will offer all of us. Last year, I saw joy with each other and dining together and meeting each other from the different parishes. We’re getting to know the parishes. A big part is getting all three together and making new friends, meeting new friends. We have parish events, people come and that’s why it’s so lovely to have St. James join us. Each church has a different flavor and personality, but they’re all a fun group.”
Anne Marie Halvorson of St. Joseph Parish is a co-planner for the Nov. 5-6 retreat, “Stewardship Starts at Home,” held at St. Joseph Church.
