Southern Nebraska Register
Our Lady of Good Counsel Retreat House in Waverly invites men of all ages to attend The Prodigal Retreat for Men Sept. 11-13.
Led by Father Christopher Barak, Father Benjamin Holdren and Jonathan Little, the weekend offers men an opportunity to step away from the noise of daily life, spend time in prayer and encounter the Father ‘s mercy and healing.
The retreat begins Friday with the introduction and talk at 8 p.m. and concludes Sunday with Mass and lunch at 12:30 p.m. The weekend will include spiritual direction, Eucharistic Adoration, contemplative prayer, and fellowship with other Catholic men.
“Previously, I shied away from attending retreats because I either felt my life was adequate as it was, or didn’t have time,” said past retreatant Matt Kleinschmitt. “However, I have found my perspective beautifully changing. I’ve realized that when I allow God to be present in my life, I receive graces I never knew existed.”
Many people see themselves in the story of the Prodigal Son in the Gospel of Luke: either the son who is ashamed to return home, the brother who is angry and resentful, or the father who hopefully waits for the son’s return. Many spend years avoiding difficult emotions and experiences. The Prodigal Retreat invites men to bring their struggles honestly before Jesus and allow Him to bring order and healing to what is broken.
Through guided prayer and reflection, participants will be invited to examine their lives in the light of the Gospel. The retreat includes contemplative prayer and a practice known as “feeling prayer,” which gives men time and space to bring difficult emotions and experiences honestly before God and experience His healing. Small-group discussion, fellowship and activities will also provide opportunities for men to grow in trust and brotherhood.
Kleinschmitt said his experience at the retreat helped him better understand himself and the experiences that shaped his life.
“When I attended the Prodigal Son retreat, I received the grace of understanding so much more about myself and the core experiences that shaped me,” he said. “It truly brought healing to lifelong traumas. I now constantly look for opportunities for God to enter my space because He brings so much joy!”
The Prodigal Retreat gives men time away from the demands of everyday life to pray, reflect and consider where God is working in their lives. Through prayer, the sacraments, spiritual direction and fellowship, participants will have the opportunity to deepen their relationship with God, better understand their own struggles and grow in their identity as sons of the Father.
The cost of the retreat is $220 for a single room. Space is limited, and financial assistance may be available for those who need it.
To register or learn more, visit goodcounselretreat.org or contact Our Lady of Good Counsel Retreat House at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 402-786-2705.
