Retreat

"The apostles rejoined Jesus and told him all they had done and taught. Then he said to them, ‘You must come away to some lonely place all by yourselves and rest awhile’; for there were so many coming and going that the apostles had no time even to eat. So they went off in a boat to a lonely place where they could be by themselves." Mark 6:30-32

 

Retreats have their biblical basis in the model of Jesus going off in solitude to pray.  Two major examples are the Temptation in the Desert before He beings His public ministry and Jesus going off to pray in the Garden of Gethsemane before His passion and death. The desert and mountainous regions provided remote areas for the early Christians.  Later, monasteries became established.  By the 16th century, retreat houses become established—a model that still operates today.

 

Keeping with the tradition of the Church, the parish retreats at St. Uriel's offers parishioners the opportunity for an experience like the apostles who went off to a lonely place with Jesus.  Jesus is eager to offer His peace, joy and healing if you heed His call to ‘come away’ and be with Him. Parish retreats are offered primarly just before Lent as a means of renewal. 

 

St. John the Baptist Convent and Retreat House offers parishioners a time of renewal and refreshment.  The convent with her extensive grounds for walking and meditation provides a peaceful setting for those who gather.  During times of quiet prayer the retreatants use the Chapel provide in St. Margareites.  The meals provided are ample and very good.

 

 

Past Retreat Topics

 

"What Does Christian Community Look Like" 

             Retreat Conductor: Fr. Andrew Sloane

            Rector of St. Paul's K Street, Washington, DC

 

"The Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Capacity to Love"

             Retreat Conductor: Fr.Russell A. Griffin, SSC

             Rector of the Church of St. Uriel the Archangel, Sea Girt, NJ

 

"Christ Through the Liturgical Year" 
              Retreat Conductor:  Fr. Richard Martin, SSC

 

"Shaped by the Cross"

              Retreat Conductor:  Fr. Russell A. Griffin, SSC

 

"Living the Christian Life in the Modern World"

              Retreat Conductor:  Fr. Russell A. Griffin, SSC

 

"How Is Possible to Lead a Life of Faiht In Christ in Our Mordern World"

              Retreat Conductior:  Fr. Russell A. Griffin, SSC

      

Retreat Schedule:

Friday:

5:30pm    Arrive at Convent

6:00pm    Vespers

6:30pm    Dinner 

7:45pm     Group Session  

9:00pm    Compline 

 

    [Silence begins after Compline]

Saturday: 

 

7:15am     Matins and Mass 

8:30am    Breakfast

9:45am     First Address 

12:15am    Noon Day Office

12:30pm   Lunch

1:45pm      Second Address

5:30pm     Vespers

6:00pm     Dinner

7:30pm      Rosary

8:15pm      Compline 

Sunday: 

8:00am     Matins 

8:30am     Breakfast

9:30am     Third Address 

11:15am     Mass

12:30pm   Lunch

1:15pm      Group Session  

 

[Silence ends at Group Session]

 

2:00pm    Departure