WAVERLY (SNR) - The Church calls all members, by the season of Advent, to spiritually prepare and to open hearts and receive Christ at Christmas.
To help men and women of all ages achieve that, Bishop James Conley will offer a Marian retreat Dec. 6-8 at Our Lady of Good Counsel Retreat House in Waverly. The retreat is entitled “Keeping Close to Mary.”
“To draw close to Mary means to allow the logic of her heart to become our own,” Bishop Conley said, “to allow it to change the way we ponder in our own hearts, the way we conduct our whole manner of life.”
In the retreat talks, Bishop Conley will examine the Marian dogmas and how they lead all to know more of the mystery of Christ and the Church. He will reflect on her silent presence and cry at the Cross and at Pentecost, and how Mary is an example of faith for every disciple’s journey.
Yet, Mary is more than just an example to follow, Bishop Conley said.
“She is our Mother: Mediatrix of Grace and Advocate for Holiness. Mary’s unique participation in Christ’s passion allows her to cooperate with the springing forth of grace in the life of the Church.”
Bishop Conley invited all people to experience the silence of a retreat, to join Mary in pondering, in contemplating, in adoring reverence before the Lord, “the beauty of Mary’s silence dawns on a soul and begin to move it to a new fullness of meaning and life.”
For more than 55 years, Our Lady of Good Counsel Retreat House near Waverly has been a place of sanctuary and prayer. Retreats typically begin with a Rosary and Mass at 8 p.m. on Friday, and end with Mass and noon lunch on Sunday. Private retreats and catering are also available.
Retreats includes meditations by the retreat master, the sacraments of Eucharist and Reconciliation, devotions, opportunities for silence, and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Many retreats include private encounters with the retreat master or a prayer team.
Find our schedule of upcoming retreats and register today at www.goodcounselretreat.com, e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 402-786-2705.
Upcoming retreats will be held Nov. 22-24 for women with Magnificat and Sr. Lucy; Dec. 12-15 for men with Regnum Christi, and Jan. 10-12 with Deacon James Keating, a retreat entitled “Men: Christ Chooses YOU... Do You choose Him?”
