As you may know, the Women of Grace 5^th Annual Retreat was held at Malvern Retreat House the weekend of July 23-25.  It was preceded by the Women of Grace Leadership Institute on July 22, ending mid- afternoon on the 23^rd.  Both events were abundantly blessed and I am delighted in the receptivity of heart so apparent in the women who attended.  If you weren’t able to make it this year, I just wanted to give you a little taste of what the retreat was like so you will seriosly consider coming next year. 

Our guest presenter for the retreat was Dr. Edward Sri, Provost of the Augustine Institute in the Archdiocese of Denver. Father Edmund Sylvia, C.S.C. and myself were the retreat directors. The theme was “The Mysteries of Mary: Hope, Healing, and New Life.” We have copies of the retreat talks available for you on CD.

I was personally inspired by Dr. Sri’s discussion of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta and his enlightening discussion of the marriage feast of Cana.  In both instances, I felt convicted by the Holy Spirit to enter more deeply into the call and mission God has entrusted to me and to surrender more fully to His Holy Will.  I am confident you, too, will experience the power of the Holy Spirit as you listen to Dr. Sri’s presentations.

The Scripture passages we were led to consider throughout the retreat, in the order they were given, are the following:

Jeremiah 1: 5-10

2 Chronicles 7:14

Jeremiah 7:3-11

Ezekiel 22:30

Dr. Ted Sri

Throughout the retreat the women were encouraged to be the prophetic voice of this our day and time and to step boldly into the mission which God has entrusted to them. Reminding them of the Closing Message to Women from the 2^nd Vatican Council, the women were exhorted to “reconcile men with life” and to “save the peace of the world” as the Council Fathers told them only they can do. A big mission to be sure, but a mission that can be accomplished, “for with God, nothing is impossible.” 

I suggest you pray the passages the women received at the retreat, see what the Holy Spirit is saying to you, and give your “fiat” to the Lord as did Our Lady. The salvation of the world depends on it.

Like most retreats, the end came too soon and we had to leave our mountaintop experience and return to the realities of everyday living.  I am certain that we have all been refueled for the certain challenges which lie ahead.  I hope that you too will consider joining us next year for this beautiful retreat experience! 

Our next event is the Women of Grace National “Healed for Holiness” Conference , Hyatt Regency Hotel, Sacramento California, September 17-19, preceded by the Leadership Institute September 16 -17 (mid-afternoon).  You won’t want to miss this faith-filled opportunity!

Enjoy a few pictures from the retreat.  If you’d like to see them all, visit my Facebook  page.

Fr. Ed and Vicki Crispo, one of our first ever Women of Grace facilitators

There were plenty of laughs...

Teaching moments...

Prayer...

Time for reflection...

and lots of PRAISE!

More PRAISE...

And more PRAISE!

It is true that the earthquake in Haiti this week has shaken us all. The loss of life, the devastation and the impact on the Church in this poorest of poor countries is a tragedy for which there are no words.

And yet, we do know that the words Scripture gives us are true: “For God works all things for the good for those who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).

Read the rest…

Last evening I attended a lecture given by George Weigel here in Clearwater, FL.

The event was held by Jay and Lisa Kelly who seek to provide local Catholics with the opportunity to hear great Catholic speakers.

Calling their new-found organization Splendor of Truth, the evening begins with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and includes an open bar and dinner.

Read the rest…

Traditionally, the beginning of the New Year is a time for resolutions.

However, fewer and fewer people are engaging in this age-old custom. Perhaps most feel the effort is useless. How many resolutions have we made throughout our lives only to find we break them within the first few weeks of their institution? Indeed, Archbishop Fulton Sheen once said that “Resolutions, like the good, die young.”

Why are resolutions so short-lived? Read the rest…

Back in the early 1990’s, I had the privilege of serving as associate producer for a four-hour television documentary that encompassed the evangelization of Europe and the efforts to bring Christianity to the New World.  Called River of  Light, it was produced by British film maker, John Bird, and was part of a series of films he produced about Our Blessed Lady. 

Part of my assignment was to join the crew for eight days in Spain where they were producing some key segments for the documentary. It was a blessed experience in many ways and on many levels. One of the most significant moments for me came when we visited the Monastery of Our Lady of Guadalupe, located in the Estremadura in the village of Guadalupe.

What I didn’t realize but came to know was that Our Lady of Guadalupe played a significant role in the life of Christopher Columbus and in the founding of the New World.

Read the rest…