2010 annual retreat for the Confreres

Common Rules of the Congregation of the Mission emphasize the importance of regular spiritual exercises for Priests of the Mission. Thus, each year, every member of the community has to take part in five days retreat. This year 19 of the Confreres of New England Province came in to the Provincial Residence in Manchester, Connecticut, for days of reflection, dedication and sharing. Others have had their annual retreat in other time and places. The retreat started on Monday, October 4 in the late afternoon and the common lunch on Friday, October 8 concluded it. It was directed by Father Victor Hoagland, C.P. from St.Michael’s community in Union City, New Jersey .

Father Hoagland is a distinguished preacher of parish missions and retreats for priests, religious and laity throughout the United States; also a director of Passionist Press, which publishes material pertaining to the Passionists and their ministry. He is principal contributor to BREAD ON WATER popular website on Catholic spirituality, blogs himself at VICTOR’S PLACE blog. He is also present on his YOUTUBE channel.

Retreat schedule included:

MONDAY

  • 1700 – Arrival,
  • 1745 – Evening prayers and Opening Conference
  • - Dinner followed

TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY

  • 0800 – Breakfast
  • 0900 – Morning prayers and Conference
  • 1145 – Eucharist
  • 1230 – Lunch
  • 1330 – Silence, time for personal reflection and meditation. On Thursday, time for Confession.
  • 1630 – Conference
  • 1745 – Evening prayer
  • 1800 – Dinner

FRIDAY

  • 0800 – Breakfast
  • 0900 – Morning prayers and closing Conference
  • 1145 – Eucharist
  • 1230 – Lunch and departure

Fr. Greg Semeniuk CM, from Eastern Province, accompanied our community in first day of the retreat. This was the extraordinary time for community life and sharing, so important when regularly Confreres are so involved in their pastoral ministries and responsibilities. Everybody enjoyed the time greatly.

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