I recently assisted at two weekend retreats at Notre Dame Retreat House. The first weekend in January had 35 men and the second, the first weekend of February, had 75 men. Both retreats were on the theme, Just As You Are: Encountering God’s Mercy in the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
It is a very Alphonsian theme based on the overwhelming love Jesus has for us symbolized by his Sacred Heart. He loves us just as we are and because he loves us, we can be transformed.
The men were pleased to have the presence of the Redemptorists at the retreat. At the retreat in January our team consisted of me, Deacons Brian McNulty and Gregory Kiley, and the assistant director of Notre Dame, Jodie Scordo. On the February weekend our team included me, Fr. Eugene O’Reilly, C.Ss.R., from Toronto, Deacon Dennis Lohouse, and Jodie Scordo. On both weekends a local priest assisted us with confessions. Fr. Dennis Billy, C.Ss.R., is coordinating confreres to help with the retreats.
During the retreats, participants commented on how much they were impressed in the past by the Redemptorists who conducted the retreats and felt as though this retreat was a continuation of that tradition that has been part of Notre Dame’s history. They were incredibly positive and appreciated the presence of Redemptorists on the retreat.
A volunteer board of Directors operates the retreat center with Nancy Lynch as the director of the center. She and several of the board members are Redemptorist Partners in Mission and continue to keep the Redemptorist charism in this valuable ministry. It is a wonderful way to minister with our partners who have the desire to keep the Redemptorist charism active in western New York. They have risen to the challenge of organizing retreats but also taking care of the facility. It was announced in the introduction to the retreats that the board of directors is currently replacing many of the heating units in the retreat center. They are grateful that people have donated most of the half-million dollars they will need to complete the project.
I felt honored to be part of this new endeavor and partnership as I am sure those Redemptorists who have participated in assisting at retreats have felt. What is happening at Notre Dame is a continuity with the wonderful ministry that has gone on over the past fifty-seven years as this new arrangement continues to provide a sacred space in the future for retreats promoting our Alphonsian charism with our Partners in Mission.
Father Peter Sousa, C.Ss.R.
St. Alphonsus Formation Residence
Bronx, NY