July 13, 2015
It was so much more than just a summer trip to the Jersey Shore.
Seventy-six Paulist priests and students gathered for a community-wide retreat at the San Alfonso Retreat House in Long Branch, N.J. during the first week of July. Taking up one of the themes of Pope Francis for the Year for Religious Life proclaimed throughout 2015, the retreat focused on “Gratitude for the Past, Passion for the Present and Hope for the Future.”
Gathering for a retreat to reflect on the Paulist vocation to serve God’s people during the Year of Consecrated Life was “critically important,” said Father Eric Andrews, president of the Paulist Fathers.
“Pope Francis called all members of religious communities to take time this year to reflect on our mission and charism, in light of the needs of our time,” said Father Andrews, a Paulist for 20 years. “I found the retreat a great opportunity for renewal. Every time Paulists gather together great things happen. And that was certainly my experience this time. The week was filled with joy, prayer, and laughter.”
The retreat experience included shared prayer, worship, meals and presentations on the retreat themes of gratitude for the past, passion for the present and hope for the future. Sister Dianne Bergant, CSA, gave the keynote presentation on contemporary religious life.
“[Sister Dianne] really challenged us Paulists to focus on the motivation behind our ministry, which is our ‘wholehearted giving to others,’” Father Andrews said. “To convey to each person we encounter, especially the poor and those on the periphery that they are valuable in the eyes of God.”
The “Passion for the Present” presentation by Father Steven Bell, pastoral associate at the St. Thomas More Newman Center at The Ohio State University, “struck a chord” with second-year Paulist student Michael Cruickshank.
“[Father Bell’s] passion is evident,” Mr. Cruickshank said, “and his words only gave that passion further meaning. He talked about his passion in a number of ways – as a gift, which comes in the form of God’s people, as an emotion, which comes in form of anger when something is just not right and as a fruit, which comes in the form of joy in knowing that God is good and will make things right.”
Mr. Cruickshank, who is completing his summer assignment at Old St. Mary’s Cathedral-Holy Family Chinese Mission in San Francisco, said the energy surrounding the retreat was invigorating.
“From the youngest to the oldest Paulist, gratitude, passion, and hope were all abundant during those few days,” he said. “And those memories do a lot to carry me forward in studies and ministry.”
Borrowing a phrase from another Paulist, Father Richard Andre, CSP, said the experience was an, “old shoe retreat.”
“It was as comfortable as an old pair of shoes,” explained Father Andre, associate pastor of St. John XXIII University parish at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville ordained in 2012.
Sister Dianne’s keynote was the retreat highlight for Father Andre, making him realize that, despite being focused on the daily aspects, requirements and challenges of ministry that, “perhaps we are better prophets than we think we are.”
Father Bart Landry, CSP, pastor of Old St. Mary’s Cathedral-Holy Family Chinese Mission in San Francisco, preached the homily of the closing Mass. The homily focused on, “walking away with trust in God and moving forward with hope for the future, trusting and believing that God has called us into ministry and God will provide.”
“As a ‘young Paulist’ [ordained less than 10 years], I’m very hopeful and optimistic about the future and the ongoing commitment of the mission of the community,” he said.