Rooted in Love
A Retreat for Catholic Homeschooling Mothers
August 19th 6:30pm to August 20th at 4:00pm
We are pleased to share some detail with you about this upcoming retreat. We are praying that you’ll take some time to read what is planned for this retreat and then commit to taking the time to make a retreat meant for YOU!
The theme for our retreat will be “Rooted in Love” based on Ephesians 3:14:
“For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”
Where our retreat will be held
Saint Therese Retreat Center is a peaceful and holy place where we will have the opportunity to “come away and rest awhile” (Mark 6:31) before launching into another school year. The retreat sessions will be held in comfortable air-conditioned meeting rooms and in the beautiful chapel. There are lovely grounds, including a Marian grotto, outdoor stations, and other prayer gardens. Delicious meals will be prepared and served in the dining room by the retreat center staff. (No cooking! No dishwashing!)
Overnight retreatants will enjoy private bedrooms with single or double beds, sinks, chairs, and desks. There are restrooms and showers in each hallway. The bedrooms in the wing with double beds are plenty big enough to accommodate portable cribs or pack and plays. Overnight retreatants may want to bring small fans as the bedrooms are not air conditioned.
Details about specific parts of the retreat
We will begin the retreat on Friday night in the chapel. In addition to Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and the opportunity to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation, we will have the blessing of hearing a talk by Fr. Stash Dailey. Fr. Dailey is the associate pastor at Saint Michael’s Parish. He is a young priest who is enthusiastic and supportive of Catholic homeschooling families. He will speak to us about the Sacred Heart of Jesus. There is no better way to begin our reflections on being “Rooted in Love” than by beginning in the heart of Jesus! We will learn about His love, adore His Body, and receive His tender mercy.
We will proceed from the chapel to the main meeting room where we’ll have time to meet new friends, socialize, and encourage one another. After the introductions and small group discussions, participants can choose to spend the rest of the evening alone (resting, praying, relaxing) or socializing in the main meeting room or on the lovely grounds. There will even be the opportunity to soak your feet, paint your nails, and do a facial! Participants will be invited to bring snacks to share for our social time.
After breakfast Saturday morning, we will pray Morning Prayer together and then hear talks by Cathy Haemmerle and Maria Horn, two very inspiring homeschooling mothers who have been on this journey for many years. Small group discussions will follow the talks and then we’ll come together for Mass celebrated by Fr. Jonathan Wilson, the pastor of Blessed Sacrament parish in Newark. Lunch and free time will be after Mass.
In the afternoon, participants will choose which breakout session to attend based on where they are in their homeschool journey. There will be sessions for moms just starting out, those who are “in the thick of it” and those who are homeschooling high schoolers. Each session will be led by two or three moms who are also in that same stage of homeschooling. The leaders will share their own experiences, insights, and tips. There will be time for questions and discussion.
Retreat Schedule
Friday, August 19th
5:30- Check in begins, concluding at 6:45
7-8:30- Welcome in Chapel, Exposition & Adoration of The Blessed Sacrament, talk by Fr. Stash Dailey
followed by Confession (3 priests) and Benediction
8:30-8:45- Short overview of the weekend and meeting small groups
8:45- 10:30- Spa night: fun, social time!
Saturday, August 20th
8:30 Breakfast
9:15 Morning prayer/reflection- Maria Horn
9:35 Morning Talk- Cathy Haemmerle
10:15 Small groups followed by break
11:00 Mass celebrated by Fr. Jonathan Wilson
12:00 Lunch/free time
1:30 Afternoon Talks- Ladies choose one session top attend.
The First Years: Jill Rice, Katie Ryzenga, Emily Hartman
In the Thick of it All: Nikki Dzikowski and Christina Tawney
Homeschooling the High School Years: Chris Blank and Maria Horn
2:30 Small groups
3:00 Closing Prayer time- Divine Mercy Chaplet, Outdoor Stations
4:00 Depart for home!
How to register for the retreat
Download the registration form, print it, fill it out and send in completed form with payment by July 31, 2011. Space is limited so don’t hesitate:) If you have any questions, email Angie Robbins at angie@educatingforheaven.com.
