Each year, the Residents of our home have a three day retreat to reflect on God in their lives. It is a welcome opportunity to grow in faith in their spiritual lives. The following is a reflection on the retreat by Mary Ann and Leland, Residents of our home. What greater challenge in our later years, but to grow closer to God…
Retreat 2012
submitted by Leland and Mary Ann Schneider
Many prayerful thanks to Fr. Joseph Rigali, O.F.M. for giving us a wonderful and inspiring retreat. We were sorry to have it end so quickly! Father’s sharing with us the spirituality of St. Therese of Lisieux, the “little way of love,” gave us many insights for putting into practice the “little way” with the people with whom we share our lives in the atmosphere of our home … with Jesus and the Eucharist as the center of our lives, the spirit of the Holy Family, and a daily reminder of our Mother Mary, Therese’s Mother of the Smile.
Most appropriate of all, Father gave us 9 challenges, based on “Aging Gracefully and Joyfully,” a subject most fitting for our home with the Little Sisters. We shared many laughs and smiles over his stories and humorous lessons. We’re grateful to the Little Sisters and their example for providing us this great opportunity to grow spiritually with bits of love for each other in our home as well as opportunities for little ways of self-denial. May we continue to grow in age and holiness — Residents, Little Sisters, clergy, staff, volunteers, benefactors.
God bless Fr. Rigali, St. Jeanne Jugan, and her Little Sisters!
Residents’ Lenten Retreat