Blog

Join us on Valentine’s Day at the Retreat and Conference Center for special dinner and an evening sharing stories of love. Rev. Stephen Wade and Molly Wade will guide an open and participatory conversation highlighting the amazing diversity of ways in which love shows up in the human family. Rev. Stephen will also offer reflections on some of the Lifelong Lessons for Living that are embedded in Christian marriage liturgies, and the evening will conclude ... Continue reading...

The phrase 'Fear not' and similar wording is mentioned over and over again in the Bible. Clearly this is a message that God wants to make sure that we hear! It's been very difficult not to have deep feelings of fear during the pandemic though, right? So, let's take time today to refresh our hearts and minds with the scripture below. Then, take a few moments of silence to unwind, close your eyes, take a ... Continue reading...

As summer winds down, many are feeling the crunch of a more hectic pace again. The constant news of the continued pandemic is very stressful too. How can we hear God's voice within the noise? Let's take a few quiet moments to be still...to listen. "Be still and know that I am God."  ~Psalm 46:10 A Modern 23rd Psalm... The Lord is the shepherd of my thoughts; I shall not want for divine ideas. He makes me rest in the ... Continue reading...

Fr. Michael Schleupner offers today's reflection. It is from a homily given during Mass a few weeks ago and shares a powerful example. It begs to ask, "how am I being inclusive within my everyday life?" Let's take a few quiet moments to learn from scripture. Readings:   Genesis 17:1, 9-10, 15-22 ; Matthew 8:1-4 Jesus has just finished speaking – the rather long Sermon on the Mount. Now, according to Saint Matthew’s gospel, he immediately puts into ... Continue reading...

Joy Aker, another spiritual director on this week's Directed Retreat, shared a beautiful opening reflection and prayer with the retreat group last Sunday. We're including a portion of it here for you to use during your personal meditation time too. Maybe it can serve as a mini-retreat for you today? As We Begin our Retreat We Quiet Ourselves & Pray Into the quiet God calls you Calls you each by name Into the quiet God calls you Enter God's dwelling God's ... Continue reading...

Our faithful blogger, Fr. Michael Schleupner, offers today's reflection which he offered as a homily last Sunday. Let's take a few moments to read his words that describe the setting so well, letting our mind wander into the scripture. Scripture reference: Job 38:1,8-11 The Lord answers Job's complaints. Psalm 107:23-24,25-26,28-29,30-31 A song of praise to God for rescue 2 Corinthians 5:14-17 Those in Christ are a new creation. Mark 4:35-41 Jesus calms the storm. The Wind and the Waves The location of today’s gospel event is ... Continue reading...

Upcoming retreat presenter, Mary DeTurris Poust, shares another wonderful reflection with us today. During this season of gardening, it is likely something that we can relate to. Let's take a quiet moment to read about a spiritual lesson gained from weeding! If you'd like to learn more about Mary or her upcoming retreat, please click here. The Journey Is the Goal Last week I was working out in a corner of our backyard where I decided to ... Continue reading...

How are you adjusting as the world is slowly easing COVID restrictions? Do you find yourself back in a hectic pace of life once again? While many of us used the slower pace of pandemic life to focus on our spirituality, we may be finding it hard to find that spark again as we juggle renewed commitments. If it's difficult to tune out the outside world and listen to the still, small voice of the ... Continue reading...

Today's blog may seem to be an unusual spiritual topic, but Fr. Michael Schleupner shares a personal viewpoint about how he sees spiritual reasoning behind getting the COVID-19 vaccine. Many of our guests are feeling more comfortable with coming back to the Center after receiving their vaccine too. Let's read Fr. Mike's thoughts. We have also included a brief prayer for the vaccinated after his reflection. The Vaccine Dear Friends, Today I want to share with you my ... Continue reading...

Today's blog is from last Sunday's homily by Fr. Michael Schleupner and shares a creative analogy that makes the scripture come alive! We're blessed to have Fr. Mike for weekly Mass on Fridays at the Center and he will also be a spiritual director during our August Directed Retreat (click here for more information). Let's read his thoughts about a funny sight during a drive around the area. “I am the true vine, and my Father ... Continue reading...