"Rising very early before dawn,
he left and went off to a deserted place,
where he prayed." (Mark 1:35)
A retreat is a gift of time. The retreatant sets aside the normal hustle and bustle of everyday life for a period in order to strengthen his/her relationship with God. Our parish offers several retreat opportunities each year. You can also use the links on the left to review recommended retreats.
When did the concept of a "retreat" begin?
Retreats have their biblical roots in the model of Jesus going off in solitude to pray. Two major examples are the Temptation in the Desert before He begins his public ministry and the Garden of Gethasemane before his passion and death. The desert and mountainous regions provided remote areas for the early Christians. Later, monastaries became established. By the 16th Century, retreat houses are established--a model that still operates today.
Are there different "types" of retreats?
Most retreats follow a similiar model of a withdrawal from everyday activities to spend time in prayer and reflection. A retreat might have a theme of a particular scripture, a liturgical season such as Lent, or spiritual writings. IHM participates in several types: a parish Men's and Women's retreat, Cursillo, and various youth retreats. There are also good retreat centers within a 2 hour drive of the parish you could consider. Speak to others who have attended a retreat, such as the Pastor or deacon to help discern which type might best fit your need.