St. Raphael offers small-group retreats
St. Raphael pastor Fr. Tim Gareau, left, shares a laugh with author Fr. Michael Gaitley, whose books are the core of a series of retreats.
Father Michael Gaitley, MIC visited St. Raphael Parish on March 10 and moved our hearts with the urgent message of mercy for our time. Now is the time to listen to the message of God’s merciful love.
Fr. Gaitley, a member of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception who lives and works at the Shrine of the Divine Mercy in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, is an international speaker and best-selling author of several retreat books beginning with "33 Days to Morning Glory." Fr. Gaitley’s books form the core of a series of lay-directed retreats that introduce the participants to the role of Mary in our lives, what it takes to become a saint, how we can console Jesus, what we can learn about the trinity, and the saving graces of Christ's Divine Mercy.
He shows us that in just 33 days, the love and mercy of Jesus can set our hearts on fire. In 33 days the Holy Spirit can enter more fully into our lives. This all happens through the gentle and guiding hands of Mary. "33 Days to Morning Glory" has been described as “the surest, easiest, shortest, and most perfect way” to becoming a saint.
Hearts are on fire in the St. Raphael community, as we get ready to present these retreats on a year-round basis. Most of our retreat team members have gone through all of the Hearts Afire Parish Based Programs (HAPP), and we built a collaborative group/team of facilitators to spread the messages of Mary and Divine Mercy through small group or self-study retreats. Our priests have completed and strongly endorse these powerful retreats and our Director of Spiritual Development, Dr. Andy Kereky, is also an integral part of the HAPP team.
What does the "33 Days to Morning Glory" retreat involve?
- It is a six-week retreat with an emphasis on entrustment to Jesus through Mary.
- Four Marian giants, St. Louis de Montfort, St. Maximilian Kolbe, St. Mother Teresa and St. John Paul II will teach us in 33 days how to draw closer to the Heart of Jesus through the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
- Read the daily reflections. The daily reading and prayers are done on your own, and take about 5 minutes a day.
- Reflect, ponder, and answer 3-4 questions in your workbook each day.
- Meet once a week for 90 minutes to discuss the material you have read, watch a DVD, and recount our journey through the retreat with your small group and facilitator.
- Follow this format for 33 days.
- At the end of 33 days we will have a small consecration ceremony on a Mary feast day.
What does "Consoling the Heart of Jesus" retreat look like?
- It is a 10-week retreat that explores the St. Ignatius spiritual exercises with an emphasis on the beauty of Divine Mercy.
- The weekly reading takes about 45 minutes a week.
- Reflect, ponder, and answer 3-4 questions in your workbook each week.
- Meet once a week for 90 minutes to discuss the material you have read, watch a DVD, and recount our journey through the retreat with your small group and facilitator.
"33 Days to Morning Glory" and "Consoling the Heart of Jesus" start the week of April 9. Each retreat costs $40 for materials. These are the first two in series of retreats that will be available. You will learn of the others as you participate in the HAPP Ministry.
We encourage you, with heartfelt gratitude, to become fully engaged in this new and evangelical movement at our parish in whatever format works for you – small group or self-study retreat.
Together, through Mary, we will be brought to the source of merciful love – the Divine Mercy poised to transform the world.
Please email heartsafireraphael@gmail.com or call the St. Raphael Parish office at 440-871-1100, ext. 106, if you have any questions.