 Christmas Serenity
Christmas calls for sacrifice and deep spirituality and sixty-two twelve steppers responded by filling our chapel, dining room, lounges, and rooms.
Larry Bonniwell, the director of the Christ Recovery Center in Saint Paul, with his wife Mary Ann and good friends Kevin and Ernie guided our reflections and inspired our discussions. (Due to the sacred tradition of anonymity in the AA creed, we take no photos of the retreatants.)
Following are some of their reflections on the weekend retreat:
I liked Larry’s real world experience applied to our program.
I find surrender to God’s will more and more each time I come and I always take a little bit of heaven with me to live in each and every day until I come back the next time.
This was the best small group I have ever been in. working a 12-step program will not be part of my life for the first time.
The retreat allowed me to take time out on my spiritual journey to reflect on the past, to enjoy the present, and to look forward to the future, taking it one day at a time. I became closer to my sponsor on a totally different level.
There was wonderful sharing, and the presenters were great.
You motivated me to get back into the Big Book.
I love AA support and camaraderie. I benefit so much by the Al-Anon perspective. Listening to others is a big part of my AA recovery and sometimes I struggle to stay in that moment. I had some love-lee moments.
The retreat helped me on my journey. In this busy world it was like eating a box of chocolates.
Mary Ann, bless you for your sharing and thank you for being available to meet with some of us one-on-one.
This retreat allowed me to sit back, think, and relax. My thoughts are now clear and full of understanding. Thank you for having a retreat center such as this.
Kevin made his points with a simple story.
This has been an affirmation of work accomplished and give further direction for the year to come, i.e. accountability.
I have had an eventful year. This is a little piece of heaven to come to. Truly a gift from God. The retreat gets my life back on track, and helps me see the true meaning of Christmas.
It was very important to have a female here; thank you Mary Ann for sharing yourself.
Larry affirmed where I am going.
The poetry and music are very healing. Amen!
I love Saint Francis and all he stood for and all he does here.
It is always comforting to be with others who are continuing to grow in their journey. All are so open and accepting.
I am glad feelings was the theme for this retreat. I am glad I got the chance to see and hear Kevin. He got me into the treatment center at St. Joe’s Hospital.
Larry I appreciated your boldness to speak of your belief in Christ. Yours was a different approach but difference and change can be good.
I was given more than I knew I needed. The clarity, guiding love through my group was amazing. It is good to see AA in action.
Larry, thank you for sharing your story. It was powerful.
I needed some rest from self-imposed schedule of work as a homeowner of a demanding house with limited funding. I understand the need for balance with relationships and work, and the priority shift to allow for discernment and quiet time.
The retreat showed me what sharing and caring looks like and feels like.
The retreat provided a relaxation spot that I needed.
Larry, I loved your presentations and how you use music in them.
The Serenity Retreat helps me to understand myself and others, it opens more choices to recovery and fills my spiritual needs.
This was an excellent time out, just what I needed.
Father Howard helped me tremendously. He is powerful.
The retreat experience gets more meaningful each time I come.
Words cannot express my gratitude for these retreat. I get so much from them. They feed me until the next one comes around.
Larry was absolutely great. Genuine.
In such a warm, engaging, loving space, I felt I was in the presence of God, and of loving, compassionate priests and retreat leaders.
Larry, thank you for the music, the words and poems, and your passion for creating peace and hope. Your stories all give such a good message.
The retreat is a gift of caring, concern, love, joy, strength and hope.
This was the best retreat I have ever attended. Of course I say that every year. I love being here and I look forward to next year’s event. I keep learning new things for my spiritual existence. Thank you.
Larry was just “the best.” His music, stories and humility were brilliant.
It is important for me to be in contact with people in the program. I always learn what is important to me, and this weekend gave me many things. Larry was a great host.
This has been a safe place to explore more feeling and examine my life. I feel it was a calming, serene place to rest and just be. In the chaotic, busy world we live in this is a sweet treasure, a moment in time.
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