March 18, 2013
A walking path through the woods at St. Mary’s on the Lake.
With the election of a new pope, the culmination of our Lenten journey at Easter and the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, it is a great time to plan a summer retreat at St. Mary’s on the Lake on Lake George, N.Y.
St. Mary’s is steeped in natural beauty and Paulist history, according to Father Larry Rice, CSP, the retreat house director.
“For years, St. Mary’s on the Lake has been a wonderful resource for the Paulist Fathers: a place for us to get away, enjoy each others’ company, and seek rest and renewal,” he said. “We’re delighted to be able to share that resource with individuals and groups seeking that rest and renewal. This summer we’re looking forward to retreats for people in ministry, for artists for Paulist Associates, for men interested in a Paulist vocation and for people seeking a deeper experience of prayer (either through directed retreat experiences, or through silence).
The Student House at St. Mary’s on the Lake.
Early in the history of the Paulists, Father Hecker and his companions would camp at Lake George in the Adirondacks in upstate New York. In the early 1870s the Paulists, thanks to the generosity of the O’Connor family, became the owners of a large portion of lakefront property at the southern end of the lake and five islands further north. A summer house was constructed followed by a building to house Paulist students. A larger chapel, boathouse, refectory and library were added later as well as a cabin and chapel on the islands.
Following are some of the offerings at St. Mary’s this summer. Retreats include accommodations and home-cooked meals.
What a wonderful location for a quilt making retreat … the solitude of the forest and the gentle sounds from Lake George. This is clearly the place to get your creative juices flowing. You can sew all night and get up in the morning for a refreshing swim in Lake George! Host Linda Bennett will be there to answer quilt-making questions and cheer you along in the completion of your quilt top(s). In addition, she will offer (optional) small projects to do along the way.
Leader: Linda Bennett
Date: June 14-16
Cost: $300 per person
Maximum number of participants: 12
Registration: Email Linda at [email protected]
A time to reflect prayerfully on your life: past, present, future. A time for the healing of hurtful memories, a time to rejoice in beautiful memories. A time to be present to the present of the beauty of God’s creation in the Adirondack Mountains. A time to rededicate yourself to being a light in the world. The retreat will be anchored in daily Eucharist and periods of Centering Prayer.
Leader: Father Vinny KcKiernan, CSP
Date: June 16-21
Registration: Click here
A silent directed retreat praying over, recommended Scripture passages and meeting with retreat leader Father Vinny McKiernan, CSP, as one wishes. The days will be anchored in daily Eucharist and periods of Centering Prayer.
Leader: Father Vinny McKiernan
Date: June 23-28
Registration: Click here
A residency program for visual artists, sponsored by Openings, a Paulist ministry exploring the nexus of creativity and spirituality. Participation is by invitation. For more information, check out openingsny.com.
Leader: Father Frank Sabatte, CSP
Date: July 7-11
Registration: Visual artists in any medium may apply by emailing the following:
– Name and email address (website if applicable)
– CV
– Brief artist statement (150-200 words) stating what they hope to gain from the residency/retreat.
– Two low res jpegs of recent work.
– Email all material to [email protected] no later than 5pm Friday, May 31, 2013.
One of the greatest challenges facing married couples is finding the time and energy to focus on their relationship in the midst of the pressures, schedules, and crises that arise in life. Experienced retreat directors Ralph and Terry Modica will lead couples through a process to revitalize and strengthen the core of a married relationship. Terry is the founder and director of Good News Ministries, a Florida-based Catholic ministry focussed on evangelization and adult faith formation www.gnm.org. Register Here.
Leaders: Ralph and Terry Modica
Date: July 14-19
Registration: Click here
A new residency program for independent musicians, focused on singer/songwriters. Experience some time away to work on your music, explore collaborations with other musicians, and discuss the challenges and rewards of life as a musician. Participation is by invitation.
Date: July 21-26
More information: Click here
For young men 18-35 who are interested in exploring the possibility of a religious vocation, and who want to get to know the Paulists better.
Leader: Father Dave Farnum, CSP, Paulist vocations director
Date: July 29-Aug. 3
More information: Email Father Farnum at [email protected]
An annual summer gathering for Paulist Associates, those lay people who, drawn to the spirituality and mission of the Paulists and their founder, have made a commitment to support the Paulists and each other as they live out the ideals of Paulist founder, Servant of God Father Isaac Hecker. Registration is only available to members of Paulist Associates groups.
Leader: Father Larry Rice, CSP
Date: Aug. 20-25
Registration: Click here (limited to members of Paulist Associates groups)