Parish Men's Retreat
Holy Family Passionist Retreat Center
October 9 - 11, 2009
This year about a dozen men from the parish were able to enjoy a weekend away for the annual parish men's retreat. The retreat is held at Holy Family Passionist Retreat Center in West Hartford, CT.
The group gathers at the church to car pool to the retreat. Others went directly to the retreat center from work.
The Cross of Christ greets us as we enter the grounds of the retreat center. The theme of this years retreat is "Be Not Afraid". All the talks, presentations, and workshops develop around that theme. And given the times in which we live, it is certainly appropriate.
During the free time built into each day, you can enjoy a relaxing walk through the grounds, or walk the recently built labyrinth, while reflecting on the ideas presented for consideration.
Here some of the many retreatants are out getting some fresh air. This year, the weather was a mix, but generally a beautiful New England fall weekend.
The Labyrinth offers the opportunity to think about the many directions, twists and turns our lives have taken. Always leading to the center, where the stone circle represents the eternal God, who calls us to Himself.
The chapel of the retreat center is a beautiful place to pray, reflect, and join together in liturgy. Arranged in monastic style, with rows of seats facing each other across the center worship space, you are always facing other worshipers, joining their prayers and singing to your own.