WEST HAVEN — The third annual Saint Mary Catholic Church Lenten Retreat, titled "Lenten Journey with Mary: Poor in Heart, Hand United," will take place on Sunday, April 6.
Based on the spirituality of Pope Frances, the afternoon will include three talks and periods of quiet meditation. Speakers are two Fr. Kolbe Missionaries of the Immaculata from the Archdiocese of Los Angeles: Ann O’Donnell and Jillian Elizabeth Cooke; and Tom Devereux, a lay ecclesial minister from St. Mary Parish.
Cooke recently took the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience with the Fr. Kolbe Missionaries of the Immaculata in West Covina, Calif.
The Fr. Kolbe Missionaries of the Immaculata primarily are women consecrated to God who live secular lives. They are consecrated laywomen who live with families, or alone, or in groups of fraternal life. The Kolbe Missionaries are always willing to fulfill the task of being witnesses and evangelizers of Christ, going beyond national boundaries to wherever someone needs them, or the Church calls them.
"This is the third time that we offered this retreat at St. Mary’s because Lent is a spiritually fruitful time in our liturgical year in which people focus significantly on their life with Jesus," said Donna Masek, the St. Mary parishioner and Immaculate Prolife Ministry coordinator who organized the retreat.
The theme of the retreat focuses on the spirituality of each person’s life, but "it also focuses on the spirituality of Pope Francis himself. ... He calls us to get really in the spirit of poverty in our lives and also he calls us to reach out to the poor in all the dimensions of the poor in our world today," Masek said.
The retreat is open to everyone who wishes to participate. It is a silent retreat in which the presenters will give a talk, then have a moment of music for reflection.
"People should attend this retreat so they can reflect on the chats … and how they can apply them in their daily lives," said Masek, adding that it will be also a great opportunity for people to listen to how God is speaking to them.
The last talk of the day is called "Our Journey with Our Lady Continues" and it will address how participants can continue developing a relationship with the Virgin Mary "and how, through her, we can deepen our relationship with Christ," said Masek.
The retreat will culminate with a Rite of Total Consecration which includes a reading from the Gospel of St. John, a renewal of baptism promises, a prayer to the Holy Spirit and the prayer of consecration.
"This is especially dedicated to Our Lady and it is so people surrender to Our Lady spiritually so she can be their partner in their faith journey," said Masek, adding that "when we consecrate we say ‘take me as your child,’ and this deepens the relationship with her."
Participants at the retreat are welcome to participate in the Rite of Total Consecration. The participants will receive a miraculous medal as a sign of the consecration.
WHAT: "A Lenten Journey with Mary: Poor in Heart, Hands United"
WHEN: Sunday, April 6, 1 - 5:30 p.m.; signups begin March 1
WHERE: St. Mary Catholic Church, 4050 South 3500 West, West Haven
COST: Suggested donation $10 includes a light dinner.
For information, call Donna Masek, 801-898-3821, or visit www.stmarysutah.org. Advanced registration is encouraged but walk-ins will be welcome.
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