Marianist Prayer Retreat April 9-11 (mid-week)

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1 The Beacon.Com - Marianist Family Retreat Center E-Newsletter March 2013 (Be sure to visit our web site at for a complete schedule, retreat photos and application) To find out more of what is happening in the greater Marianist Family click here for Marianist Family Online - the Province E-Newsletter. Inside this issue: Director s Message Young Married Couples Retreat April Summer Family Retreat Applications Marianist Prayer Retreat April 9-11 (mid-week) Widow(er) Retreat April Mother & (Adult) Daughter Retreat May Applications & Deposits now being accepted online! Remembering Fr. Gus Biehl Young Adult Retreat Recap & Photos Heart of Winter Recap & Photos Summer Volunteer Opportunity in Cape May Point! May Teen Retreat applications now being accepted! Upcoming 2013 Retreats & Dates Mark your calendar! Marriage Moments & Parenting Pointers Dear Friends, Last month I turned 45 I know I don t look it but I still cannot believe it! This marks my 10 th anniversary of postyoung adulthood and 5 th of post young married couplehood. But I have to say, as an older married person, the years Erin and I attended the Retreat for Young Married Couples were so important to our marriage today. To take even just a weekend every year to really focus on one another, our marriage and where God is at work in our lives together was so powerful life-changing. I am always promoting this retreat and I think every young married couple (and us older ones!) should do this every year it ll be a gift to your marriage, family and each other that will be cherished! Consider joining us this year!

2 A Retreat for Young Married Couples April This retreat is intended for couples who are under 40ish +/- years old. We will explore issues that challenge young couples in today s ever-demanding world. We will also look at our faith lives and how we can keep God in our marriage. Our time will include small group sharing, Eucharist, special liturgies and time for fun. Cost is $250 per couple. Summer Family Retreat Applications are now being accepted. **Note: Applications received from 1 st time or 2 nd time families prior to April 1 will be given first priority. All other applications will be placed in available weeks. Click here for an online version of the brochure. Click here to sign up online or to print an application or call for more information. Help us promote the ministry here by inviting ONE FAMILY to join us this summer! Marianist Prayer Retreat April 9-11 (mid-week) This is a retreat based on Blessed Chaminade s methods of prayer and how we can use and share those methods today. This will be an experiential type of prayer retreat using different forms - individual, small groups, audio/visual etc. Cost is $115pp. Click here to sign up online or to print an application or call for more information.

3 Widow(ers) Retreat April Come and share your stories of courage and wisdom. We hope to discover how in the sharing of our stories we continue to find strength and hope in our lives. There will be time for sharing in small groups, Eucharist and other appropriate liturgies. Cost is $125 per person. Click here to sign up online or to print an application or call for more information. Mother & (Adult) Daughter Retreat May Knowing that your relationship is special, and the need to nurture it throughout the years, this is a wonderful opportunity to walk upon common ground. This retreat is designed to give you time together time that often slips through our fingers at home. Eucharist, small group sharing, prayer experiences, socials and fun are included. Cost is $125 per person ***We are now accepting Applications and Deposits Online!*** For various reasons, in the 40-plus year history of the Center we have never taken any form of payment other than checks or cash for our retreats. Well, we are finally moving into the 21 st century! As of February 1 we are officially accepting applications and deposits online. Once you have selected your retreat you can now fill out the application and pay your deposit online. To view the online application click here.

4 On February 10 Fr. Gus Biehl passed away. Many of you may remember Fr. Gus from when he was assigned here in the 1990s for a few years. He also came to staff as Chaplain as recently as Fr. Gus loved this ministry and loved being in Cape May. He will certainly be missed. This is the prayer sent out by Fr. Marty Solma, our Provincial: Blessed be our God! Our Brother, August Biehl, priest, has been called to an everlasting dwelling place with the saints, at the age of 88 with 65 years of religious profession. He died February 10, 2013 in San Antonio, Texas. Let us thank God for the gift of his life; let us thank Mary Our Mother for the gift of his perseverance. Together, let us pray that he may rest in the peace of Christ. Young Adult Retreat On the weekend of February we had our annual Young Adult Retreat. Sister Nicole Trahan, FMI (a Marianist Sister) was our Retreat Leader the theme of the retreat was Entering Into Lent. We had 26 young people plus our staff. Her presentations focused on Letting Go, Experiencing Emptiness, Need for God and Transformations. To see photos from this and all of our retreats click here.

5 maintenance. Heart of Winter Retreat The threat of a blizzard in the Northeast didn t stop this year s Heart of Winter retreat. The theme of the weekend was Walking in the Footsteps. We discussed that in following Jesus, we are called to be involved in the Two Feet of Christian Service Direct action and social change. For our direct action, the teens split into two groups one group worked on the future home of a Family Promise center while the others headed off to the Cape May Point State Park to help with trail repair and We were joined by the Death Penalty Team of the Marianist Social Justice Collaborative. Sr. Grace Walle, Bro. Jerry Sullivan and Fr. John Manahan led the teens in an animated discussion of human rights, the death penalty and what we can do to cultivate a Culture of Life each and every day. Our weekend ended Sunday as we commissioned the participants to go forth to Act Justly, love tenderly and walk humbly with our God. (Micah 6:8) To see photos from this and all of our retreats click here. Interested in making a difference in the lives of others? Ever thought about volunteering for a summer? The SSJ Mission Corps Summer Experience is a three-month volunteer program at Saint Mary by-the-sea Retreat House in Cape May Point, New Jersey. Volunteers are invited to live in community and to open themselves to God s transforming grace in service to retreatants. This opportunity is for women ages who seek an experience of Gospel living. One year of college is required. Dates: May 28 to August 20, 2013 Contact Information: Colleen O Grady, Director or ssjmissioncorp@gmail.com Other Upcoming Retreats & Important Dates To print an application please click here. **Financial Aid is available please do not let the cost of a retreat be the obstacle that prevents you from joining us...**

6 2013 Retreat Dates: High School Teen Retreat May 3-5 Mother & (Adult) Daughter Retreat May Volunteer & Friends Reunion Weekend May Families with Young Children Retreat May Gift of Days Retreat (mid-week) June 4-6 Creative Prayer Retreat June 7-9 Spiritual Getaway Days (No formal program): April 16-18, May 28-30, June **Note: Applications received from 1 st time or 2 nd time families prior to April 1 will be given first priority. After April 1 ANY FAMILY (even if you have been here multiple years) will be placed in available weeks. Check out for a full listing of our 2013 Retreat Offerings! Marriage Moments and Parenting Pointers Contributed by Susan Vogt, On Marriage March 25: Palm Sunday is like the parade before the defeat. But everything is turned upside down in Christianity. Defeat becomes the path to ultimate resurrection. Identify a high point, a low point, and a revival in your marriage. Do you agree? On Parenting St. Patrick's Day is coming up. (March 17) St. Patrick is said to have explained the mystery of the Trinity by using the shamrock. Which person of the Trinity - Father (creator), Son (redeemer), or Holy Spirit (sustainer) do you most identify with? Ask your child the same question. Is there anything mysterious about your child that you are still trying to understand? Blessings to All! The Marianists Cape May Point