New retreat experience is a flexible option to spend time with the Lord
By Reagan Scott
for the Register
As Jesus once retreated into the desert to pray, all are invited to do the same on a “Desert Day” retreat at Our Lady of Good Counsel Retreat House in Waverly.
Implemented at the beginning of the year, monthly Desert Days allow retreatants to arrive at Our Lady of Good Counsel between 7 and 9 a.m. on a scheduled weekday, and leave at their convenience in the afternoon. The day is mostly self-led, with time for confessions, Mass, lunch and Eucharistic adoration.
Our Lady of Good Counsel hosted its most recent Desert Day Thursday, Nov. 21; the final retreat of the year is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 17.
Father Gary Coulter, director for Our Lady of Good Counsel, said the inspiration for offering Desert Days “came from recognizing that today people need opportunities to step away from the noise and busyness of daily life, but not everyone can commit to a full weekend retreat.”
“Therefore,” he explained, “we decided to create a more flexible, shorter retreat experience. These quiet Desert Days provide an accessible way for people to ‘go into the desert’ with the Lord, even if just for a half or full day.”
Amanda Weeder, outreach coordinator for the retreat house, said Desert Days could be a good introduction for people who haven’t been on a retreat before, giving participants a taste of what a whole weekend retreat would be like.
“Whether someone works a 9-to-5 job, or is a stay-at-home mom, we’re trying to make it accessible for all,” Weeder said. “If you’ve been thinking about going on retreat but don’t want to take the whole weekend, it’s the perfect amount of time for people. They can come and go when it works for them.”
Lisa McInerney, a member of North American Martyrs Parish in Lincoln, has attended three Desert Days this year – in May, August and October.
While McInerney has had other weekend and four-day retreats on her calendar in the past, she said that kids’ activities or other obligations would often crop up, preventing her from being able to attend. For her, Desert Days offer the perfect opportunity to spend a few hours with the Lord, away from the distractions of the day to day when her kids are in school.
McInerney said that on her Desert Days, she likes to arrive at check-in right before 9 and enjoy a cup of coffee on the patio while she does an examination of conscience. After attending confession, she’ll often walk the grounds and pray a rosary. She joked that she’ll probably be spending more time in the chapel now, with the weather getting colder.
McInerney said Father Coulter gives great talks, and added that she appreciates the fact that participants get to receive two sacraments each time they attend. But she also appreciates the practical balance of structure and flexibility that the day provides. That flexibility allows her to experience a great retreat – and also leave in time for school pick-up.
“It’s just important to rejuvenate and grow in my relationship with Christ,” McInerney said.
McInerney said she has talked with friends about weekend retreats. One of her friends, who works full-time, said she would feel guilty taking a whole weekend away from her family because she is already away at work during the week.
“I just encouraged her to prayerfully discern whether it would be worth it to take a day off and attend while her family is at work and school,” she said.
Weeder said there are lots of ways retreatants can spend their time throughout the day, walking the grounds and stations of the cross, sitting outside to read or journal or spending time in the library or chapel.
“I just love how this retreat meets people where they’re at in their own spiritual journey,” Weeder said. “I think people will find themselves staying longer than they originally thought. My favorite part is that it removes all these distractions to rest with the Lord.”
Father Coulter said that for those planning to attend, he would recommend bringing a bible and spiritual reading, a journal, comfortable layers and shoes for walking outdoors.
Images courtesy Good Counsel Retreat House
Most importantly, he said, “Bring an open heart and willingness to embrace silence. When someone gives themselves permission to unplug, to sit in silence, and to simply be present with God, it creates space for genuine renewal. The structured, yet flexible, format allows the Holy Spirit to work in each person’s heart in unique ways…
“In our fast-paced world, these Desert Days can be an oasis of grace, even in just one day,” he said.
Individuals can find more information and pre-register online at goodcounselretreat.org/product/desert-day. Individuals may also arrive and register on the day unless they would like a private room, which can be booked in advance for a suggested donation of $50. The suggested donation for the day without a private room is $20 and includes lunch. Another option is to bring a lunch and instead pay $10.
“The suggested donation is intentionally kept modest to make this accessible to all,” Father Coulter said. “We want to remove any barriers that might prevent someone from taking time with God.”
In addition to the Desert Day on Dec. 17, next year’s retreats are scheduled through May. They will be held Jan. 7, Feb. 11, March 5 (Ash Wednesday), April 25 and May 20.
