Shown standing (L to R): Jack, John, Mike, Chuck, Joe, Ernie, Tony, Alex, Larry, Don
Not in picture: Peter
Why would I want to go on a "weekend" retreat? After all, they're for older more "religious" people than me, aren't they? I have a wife and family and too many projects to do and can't give up a Saturday. Or can I?I can and I did this past weekend at Holy Family in West Hartford. In a nutshell, it is an absolutely enjoyable experience. Father David Cinquegrani is a Passionist priest who heads up a retreat team of very talented and interesting people. Father David, Brandon Nappi (a member of our parish), Sister Mary Ann Strain, Father Terry Kristofak, Father Gregory Paul and other lay people put together thought provoking discussions and workshops tackling contemporary topics in our church and our world today. Their talks are educational and informative, and can be serious, light-hearted or downright funny. Men of all ages and from many parishes attend. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming. The food is great and the dining room is relaxed and casual. The music is inspiring; to experience the acoustics of the Chapel with 145 men singing inside of it is something special.
You can participate in whatever you want to, or have some quiet time to yourself. Holy Family sits among rolling hills and woods in a serene country setting. You might prefer to walk the grounds, read in the library or spend some quiet time in the Chapel. It's your choice.
The Retreat does not consume an entire weekend; essentially Saturday, because you head home around noon on Sunday after Mass and brunch.
My only wish is that other men in our parish, young and old, would try a retreat at Holy Family just once. We live in a very chaotic world, and many of us are always on the go, yet when you leave Holy Family you feel more relaxed, and grateful for what you've experienced.
In commenting on the retreat weekend, I can't help but think that I participate for some very selfish reasons. For me I find what I feel I need. Outside of the camaraderie with men I see seldom at Church, it's the spiritual services, music, strong discussion groups that really give me what I need, a general recharging in mind and spirit. Oh! I didn't mention the six meals each day or the very strong reconciliation service. With our large parish we could arrange a weekend all to ourselves. All we would need is a hundred or so to sign up. I can only thank Bob McGarry, who first invited me.
Why do men go on retreat? For all the 150 men that were at Holy Family this weekend, there were probably 150 different reasons. Some were looking for a relaxing weekend, others a chance to renew old acquaintances, experience wonderful liturgy, refreshing reconciliation, beautiful grounds...the list goes on. And on some level, all these reasons come into play. But I think the most basic reason is that we need to reconnect with God somehow. Our life and times are pretty hectic. Lots of things pull us in one direction or another, sometimes many directions at the same time. In all this, there is rarely time to think about anything to do with our relations with God, the direction we are going, how can we change our lives for the better, and so on. The retreat at Holy Family helps by giving us time to step aside and review our lives, ask for forgiveness for our mistakes, and give thanks for our many blessings. All this with other men who are going through many of the same problems that beset us.
Wonderful company, outstanding liturgies in a beautiful chapel, opportunities to discuss many topics with expert guidance from a caring staff. Plenty of food (Very Important), and in general, a chance to see where we stand with God and our neighbors.