Annual Retreats – Time to Re-charge the Battery     

One of the greatest spiritual gifts that we can ever receive is precious time away from the busyness of life and an opportunity to really be “alone with God.” Throughout my life, I have had an opportunity to make an annual retreat. It has been a great blessing to lay aside the worries, cares, and concerns of a busy pastoral life, and devote time to spiritual growth; listening to God‘s voice and prayer; asking for His presence and His strength; opening up to the Holy Spirit in times of decision and transition; and moving forward under the direction of God‘s guidance.

In high school, college, and seminary, these opportunities of retreat days/weeks are represented as part of the curriculum. We had no choice in the place of the retreat or the retreat Director. We accepted the decisions of those in charge of our formation. These events were helpful.

However, after ordination to the priesthood ( 54 years ago), I have had to make my own decisions regarding where and when to “go on retreat.“ it is something I look forward to doing every year (in recent years after retirement from administration, sometimes twice a year!) as I look back on my retreat experiences, what amazes me is the variety of venues I have used to make these retreats, as well as the types of retreats I have used. Some retreats are preached; most are private; one or two have been directed. Preached retreats involve a retreat master who gives several talks (conferences) a day, with some communal prayer experiences woven into the day. Private retreats include making time for visits to Jesus and the Blessed Sacrament, taking long walks, and reading a spiritual book. Directed retreats involve a priest director who meets individually with a directee once or twice a day to discuss a passage from the Bible as well as spiritual concerns that are relevant.

Places for the retreat have ranged from retreat houses like Mount Manresa in Staten Island, New York (closed); Don Bosco retreat center in West Haverstraw, New York; Vincentian Renewal Center in Princeton, New Jersey (closed); San Pedro Spiritual Center in Winter Park, Florida; St. Anthony Friary in Butler, New Jersey; Carmel Retreat House in Mahwah, New Jersey; Cenacle Retreat House in Lake Ronkonkoma, NY; the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception in Huntington, New York. All of these venues are different, but each one had/has its own unique charm. So grateful for the hospitality of each and every retreat house staff.

Recently, I have been attending the Annual Retreat for the NY State Bishops in Florida – First at the Passionist Retreat Center in West Palm Beach, Florida and most recently at the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Retreat Center in Venice, Florida. Those have been most helpful, and the fraternity has been excellent.

My Annual Retreat, usually with Msgr. Noone and/or other priests, remains a priority for me. I really look forward to the Fall season to set it up and attend it. The quiet moments, the slowing down, the opportunity to listen, and the ability to recharge the battery are things for which I am most grateful. I bring the needs and intentions of my family and friends with me on retreat and lift them up to the Lord while there.