March Women I
By Friday afternoon the storm had passed, the roads were open, the streets were clear, and fourteen adventurous women joined us in prayer. They enjoyed a spectacular winter landscape, blanketed in snow, as they rested in the quiet of this prayerful house.
Following are some of their reflections about the weekend:
I need to come on retreat each year. It is a time of renewal. My soul needs to be challenged, stretched, and educated so it can mature. I feel closer to God. I can hear Him better in this setting.
Everything is in working order. Comfortable, clean, nothing distracts you from your purpose for being here.
As I return here year after year I realize that God always has something new for me or to say to me. Thank you for this peaceful and restful place. God is truly here. Thanks to the staff for their willingness to share their stories of God’s presence in their lives. Brother Bob is a great addition to the staff, and the rest of the staff feel like great friends with whom we get to pray and worship whenever we are here.
Enjoying Father Howard's polka music. I’m always so happy to come here. I can feel the peace and serenity. God is alive in this place.
I always feel so very blessed to spend this time in such a peaceful, prayerful place. And this yea – the splendor and beauty of the new fallen snow made it even more peaceful and wonderful – reminding me that God is here!
The food was great. I especially like the bananas in syrup for French toast.
I have always been blessed by the quiet and what this quiet time and place allow God to do in my heart. Like most people, I live a full and busy life, committed to many people and many tasks. But here I can lay it all down and be Mary, sitting at the feet of Jesus, just being and listening. I never fail to come away from retreat renewed and deepened in the things that matter. Thank you for making this time and place available to me.
I love the quiet in the chapel. I love being pampered with yummy recipes.
The sense of stillness and peace was wonderful. As were the conferences. The talks and music were lovely. I feel reconnected with myself and with my faith and that the Lord has taken my hand. Our lives are so busy, scattered, hectic. It was nice to have a quiet weekend of reflection, with no pressures of everyday life. I will be back next year.
I have been coming for many years. It is such a wonderful place to rest and pray. I liked the morning prayer about hands. Chris does a wonderful job with her music, but her talk about her Dad was inspiring. I enjoyed all the conferences. Keep up the good work. I look forward to coming back soon. Thank you and God bless you all.
God has blessed me by refocusing my spiritual thoughts and priorities. I have been trying to make the time to journal down how I would like my relationship with God to be “more” – and a higher priority in my day. This retreat provided me with time to pray, talk with God, ask for His help, develop a plan, write it down, and spend some much needed time in prayer. Just being quiet and reflecting.
I enjoyed all the conferences and especially Brother Bob. It is great to have him here. The sharing of grace-filled moments was really moving. Chris’ story about her father’s death was great because she is so real – like us.
Brother Bob gave us examples of two strong women. Stories that give courage. Those women inspired the people they touched and now their stories inspire us. Corrine makes me smile. She refreshes me. Father Ken teaches me to be happy and humble. Being a servant (a Martha) in community life vs. freedom. Mother = joyful servant.
I was so very moved by the Sunday morning prayer service and its emphasis on hands, caring, serving, blessing. In today’s work career is so emphasized and overrated for women. I felt like the part of life I most enjoyed – caring for my family, volunteering, using my hands was truly the work of God.
I really like the retreats at Prior Lake. There is a weekend of diversity in types of prayer, silence, thoughtful conferences, beautiful surroundings, and wonderful food.
The conference on hope was very good. The image of hope as an anchor is something I reflected on quite a bit. Chris should do more speaking. I was touched by her story.
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