The
Beacon.Com -
Marianist
Family Retreat
Center
June 2009
(Be sure to visit our web site at www.capemaymarianists.org for a complete
schedule, retreat photos and application)
To find out more of
what is happening in the greater Marianist Family – click here www.marianist.com/fol for Marianist
Family Online - the Province E-Newsletter.
- Director’s
Message
- All
9 Weeks Are “A Go!” However we could use 1 or 2 more
families on Week #1
- 2009
Summer Family Retreat has a title…
“Are we there yet?”
- Mid-week
Cleaning Days
- Families
with Young Children Retreat – Recap & Photos
- Volunteers
& Friends
- Fair
Trade
- Women’s
Spirituality Retreat #2 – Recap & Photos
- Small
Faith Sharing Community Invitation
- Other Upcoming Retreats
- Celebration
of Marriage Retreat
- Important
Dates to Remember
- Marriage
Moment & Parenting Pointer
Dear
Friends,
We
are diligently getting ready for another great Summer Family Program; and as
you will see below we finally have a title! So please keep us in your prayers
as we continue to get ready to host over 70 families and more than 100
volunteer staff from as far away as
It is not often that we find one of our Summer Family Weeks
lightly attended. This year due to several factors (an early week, kids still
in school, etc.) our Week #1 is in need of a few more families. We plan on
going with the week, but it would be terrific to have more attend –
please do what you can to help fill it.
For an application click here.
2009 Summer Family
Retreat Program
After
much deliberation our 2009 Summer Family Program will be officially known as “Are We There
Yet?” So where is ‘there’ any way?…you’ll
have to wait to find out.
This summer, Mary’s
House is hitting the road. We are going to load up the Marianist RV and set
off on Route 254 for a family pilgrimage. Using Psalm 25:4 as our guide, “Make known to us Your ways, Lord; teach us
Your paths,” our families will seek to discover the path that
God is calling us to. Along the way, we may meet a few interesting characters,
take a few detours, relax at rest stops and most importantly follow the road
signs that God has provided for us.
Mid-Week
Cleaning Days – June 15-19
Come for all or part
of the week to help us get the Center ready for our nine week Summer Family
Retreat Program. We will be cleaning in the mornings with most of the
afternoons free. So clean for a few hours and then enjoy the beach or go for a
bike ride!
There is no charge
for these days. We will have “pick-up” breakfasts and dinners are on your own.
It was a rainy
weekend in May when nine families, all with children under the age of eight,
joined us for the Families with Young Children retreat. The theme of the
retreat was “Our Family Circus” with presentations such as
“Family Prayer: Our Safety Net” and “Our Family Balancing
Act.” Joe and Kelly Lynch and Dave and Judy Erdman led the parents in
reflecting on how to raise our young Catholic families in today’s world.
Highlights of the weekend included a “romantic” candlelit dinner
for the parents while local volunteers came in to assist the rest of the staff
in feeding the children. The weekend culminated with the families writing a
blessing prayer to continue their retreat experience at home. Many thanks to
Mary and Randy Vanderhoof for leading the weekend, the presenting couples and
the tireless staff who made this retreat enjoyable for both the parents and the
children. To see photos from
this retreat click here.
Volunteer &
Friends Reunion Weekend…And Fair Trade
Once
again this year past volunteers and friends of the Center gathered for the
Memorial Day Weekend to share stories, have fun, shop yard sales and just be
community for the weekend. There was no real schedule to follow and lots of
time to just relax.
We
also held our 4th annual Fair Trade Sale – this year we sold
over $2,500 worth of merchandise crafted, grown, and built by people in
developing countries who are earning a fair wage because of this effort in our
communities. To see photos from this retreat
click here.
Woman’s Spirituality Retreat Recap
& Photos
~Submitted by Joanne McCracken
Is God really listening, does God really care? I am sure
that most people wrestle with this question at some point in
their lives and perhaps even more so now when our world seems to be coming
apart on many levels. Using the image of a door and Mary as a model, this
was the theme for the May 29-31 Women's retreat. Twenty-six women prayed
on the beach, participated in a total body prayer meditation, knocked on
the door and handed Jesus their deepest needs which were blessed and burned like
incensed. We laughed and cried, acted silly at times and learned
that God does care, we just need to look differently at how God
responds to us. On Pentecost Sunday we truly felt Alive In One Spirit, ready to return home with an
uplifted heart full of courage for whatever may come confident God is with
us..... and promising to return next year.
To see photos from this retreat click here.
The
Elizabeth (
Upcoming
Retreats & Critical Dates
To print an application please click here.
Celebration of Marriage
Retreat
This weekend is intended for couples
married at least 10 years. It honors and celebrates the commitment of
marriage. Presentations and small group discussions address (1) how we got to
this point in our marriages, (2) where we are now and (3) what the future might
hold. We strike a deliberate balance among participation/reflection, liturgy,
free time and fun and plenty of "couple time." September 25-27 -
$230/couple
Widow-Widower Reunion Days , Sept. 29th
– Oct 1st (open sign-ups)
Woman’s Retreat #3, October 23-25 (earliest sign-up date July 14th)
A Retreat for Crones! October 27-29
(open-signups)
High School Teen Retreat (earliest sign-up date July 14th)
Men’s Retreat November 20-22 (open
sign-ups)
Important Dates to Remember
August 17th –
Earliest sign-up date for the 2009 Advent Family Retreats
***Financial Aid is available – please do not let the cost of a
retreat be the obstacle that prevents you from joining us...***
Marriage Moments and Parenting Pointers
Contributed by Susan Vogt, www.SusanVogt.net
On Marriage…
"Let love be sincere." (Romans 12:9) Who is the
most sincere person you know? Ponder this virtue today and think of one
sincere, loving comment you can make to your spouse before the sun goes down.
On Parenting…
June
is a time of graduations and dandelions; weddings and lightning bugs; vacations
and summer jobs. Whether you have babies or teenagers, take a moment today to
notice something small but precious about your child. Sit in wonderment for a
moment about the mystery of human life.
Blessings to All!
The
Cape May Point
Anthony Fucci
Center Director
609-884-3829
609-884-0545 (Fax)
www.capemaymarianists.org