SPIRITUAL GROWTH MINISTRIES

WOMEN'S RETREAT

MAIN MENU
[Home]    [Overview of Web Site]     [Table Contents]     [Story of Parish]   [This Week in Parish]     [Sacramental Life]     [Parish Ministries]     [Faith Links]     [Resources for Daily Living]     [Sponsors]

The women of Our Lady of Refuge have been going on annual retreats to Alhambra at the Sacred Heart Retreat House for more than  55 years.  Under the leadership of Mary Cassara, approximately 40 women made weekend retreats in the earlier years.  Today we drive, but then we were bussed by a Brother or Priest from St. John Bosco High School.

Leaving the parking lot of Our Lady of Refuge about 4:30 PM on Friday, our first stop in Alhambra was at Two-Heys Coffee Shop for a hot delicious dinner before registration (7:00 PM) at the Retreat House.  Today we are still stopping at Two-Heys.  However, they have a new building about four times the size of the original. 

Arriving at the Retreat House, we are graciously greeted and shown to our rooms.  After  registration and being given our personal notebook and schedules for the weekend, we go to the Chapel for our first conference with our Retreat Master, Benediction and night prayers.  With the weekend silence beginning, we go to our rooms and retire by 10 PM. 

There is no need for an alarm clock, because with the tinkle of a bell and the singing of a few Sisters, we are awakened at 7 AM.  8:10 AM, morning prayer;  8:30 AM breakfast – our marvelous day has begun. 

Leaving our daily routine and any obstacles that we may have in our lives for one weekend, the Carmelite Sisters provide us with the perfect environment to contribute to our spiritual growth and peace of mind. 

We are provided with:

Over the years retreatants have been extremely blessed to have Father Al Scott of Our Lady of Refuge give many retreats. 

Regardless of what frame of mind that we are in when we arrive at the Retreat House, we cannot help but leave rested, refreshed and definitely with a clearer picture of who God wants us to be. 

One retreat is marvelous, but getting to know God so that we can love and serve Him takes a lifetime.  Even Jesus went alone to pray. Like a walk in the forest, there are so many obstacles that throw us off course.  To go away alone, temporarily removes  some of the obstacles from our lives – enough to begin seeing a clearer path to take toward our spiritual growth.  Hundreds of women set aside at least one weekend a year to make an annual retreat. 

Retreat Options

There are retreats almost every weekend of the year.  One of these may appeal to you:

During the year there are several activities for young people held at St. Joseph’s Center across from the Retreat House. 

Retreat Weekend for 2009

For Our Lady of Refuge, our next retreat will be:

February 20 - 22,  2009

The 2009 Silent Retreat for Women at the Sacred Heart Retreat House in Alhambra is February 20-22.  Retreat begins at 5:30 pm Friday and ends at noon on Sunday. This is an amazing opportunity to spend quiet time with the Lord!  Please call Judy Gesicki at 562-597-8383 or Carol Cusator at 562-429-8748 for more information and to reserve your room.

The New Retreat Schedule 

The new schedule will enable you to arrive early and get settled, enjoy conversation with friends during supper, relax and prepare yourself to make a good retreat.  After dinner we will offer a presentation that includes a more detailed explanation of the retreat weekend, and how to prepare yourself interiorly to make a good retreat.  On Sunday the retreat will end after Mass to enable you to observe the Lord’s Day by spending more time with your family.

RETREAT OPPORTUNITIES