A Time To Retreat
Quite a few times in the Gospels, Jesus retreats to a quiet place for prayer, for rest. Following his example, I am going to be on an 8-day silent retreat at the Eastern Point Retreat House in Gloucester, Massachusetts from Tuesday, September 7 through Wednesday, September 15. I will leave here on Saturday, September 4 and return on September 16. This retreat center, run by the Jesuit community, is a place of natural beauty and wonder as it sits right on the Atlantic Ocean about an hour north of Boston.
This is the second time I will spend retreat there; the last time was in 2018. The schedule for each day is the same: it includes a 30-45-minute conversation each day with a spiritual director (chosen by the staff), the celebration of Mass, and regular times for the simple meals that are prepared. The only time that conversation is allowed is during that time with a spiritual director and during Mass. The rest of the time is spent in SILENCE.
When I went in 2018 I was taken back by the wonder of spending so much time in thought, prayer, reflection, reading, walking, and just enjoying the beauty of nature. The time of silence allowed me to slow down, to converse with the Lord, and to just listen. What a time of grace it was.
You can be certain that I will bring the needs, struggles, joys, and concerns of our parish with me and will place them in the Lord’s hands each day. I ask for your prayers for me during this time away. Thank you so very much.
Monsignor John Urell
