Summer Retreats
This Spring and Summer, I led three retreats. I have given talks and served as a small group leader for retreats before, but this was the first time I designed and led the whole retreat. And it was so. much. fun.
In May, I led a group of women through a retreat called It is in Giving that We Receive. I felt awkward, especially at first. How does one go about leading an entire retreat from beginning to end? Do we go over the whole schedule? Jump right in? Is this the direction I wanted to take this talk? Where do I begin? But a dear friend who was present reminded me, “You’re among family here.” Right. I can take a breath. No matter how many mistakes I make, I am still loved and welcome here. God will still work in this space in the midst of my imperfections. And he did. It was amazing to hear each woman’s different reflections on her story of giving - and even more amazing to hear each woman speak a grace she received during this time of retreat. It was so comforting to discover that all this didn’t depend entirely on me. I simply needed to show up, offer what I had, and trust that, as I say in one of the retreat talks, “God’s math is not our math.” He can do so much with the little bit we offer him. And it will be good enough for today.
In June, I led a small group of women through a retreat called Through the Mighty Waters where we reflected on our stories of infertility. We prayed and reflected on Psalm 77, went for walks, spent time in silence and personal prayer, and wrote our own Psalms based on our own unique stories and encounters with God. It was truly a beautiful time. It was small, intimate, and as one woman shared, deeply healing. The pain of infertility is often hidden, carried in silence. And while it is indeed sacred and worthy of being kept private, the silence can feel isolating. Every part of our story - every part of us - is worthy of being seen and loved, even if it’s just by God in the space of prayer. I’m so thankful to have been able to offer a small, sacred space for these beautiful women to receive his light and healing.
In July, I led a retreat for the Catechists of our diocese. These are the people who work or volunteer in various faith formation roles, primarily in local Catholic parishes and schools. This was the first time I presented to a group where I knew almost no one. I felt a little nervous at first, but I trusted that whatever happened would be good enough for today and that God was the one really at work in people’s hearts. This retreat followed the same theme and format as the retreat in May. But I had rewritten some of the talks for greater clarity. I felt happy with the way they turned out, and the message seemed to resonate with many people present. Several of them came to me during or after the retreat to say that this space had been very spiritually fruitful for them. One told me that, during the retreat, she had been able to process and gain new understanding and healing in a place where she had been struggling for over a decade. God is so good. I felt so humbled and thankful to the diocesan faith formation office staff for inviting me to lead this retreat and entrusting me with offering the Catechists with a day of reflection on their own stories of giving.
I love it. I love designing and leading retreats. I love the people I get to meet and grow deeper in friendship with. I love the beautiful and surprising ways God moves in these spaces. And I’m excited to continue. If you are interested in hosting a Missa Est retreat for your group, or you would simply like to attend as an individual, please visit the contact page to send me a message about what would be helpful to you. Please visit the Retreats page to learn more about the retreats I currently offer. Also, please note, I am always open to designing new and custom retreats. Hope to see you soon!
