HELP US REACH OUR 2013 GOAL of 1,000 FRIENDS! Join us on Facebook! Mary s House MFRC

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1 The Beacon.Com - Marianist Family Retreat Center E-Newsletter December 2012 (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 HELP US REACH OUR 2013 GOAL of 1,000 FRIENDS! Join us on Facebook! Mary s House MFRC Inside this issue: Director s Message College-Age Retreat Jan. 4-6 ~ Bro. Charles will be here! Cleaning Weekend January Young Adult Retreat Feb ~Mark your Calendar! 2013 Program Brochures Mailed ~ Need a few more? Men s Retreat Nov Recap & Photos Advent Family Retreat #1 & #2 Recap & Photos New Programs for 2013 Some 2013 Retreats & Dates Mark your calendar! Marriage Moments & Parenting Pointers Cat. Dear Friends, During this holy season of Advent I am often reminded (mostly by my 2 boys) that promises are meant to be fulfilled! Recently, my son Eddie who is 6 reminded me that I promised to read one of his favorite books to him. As I sat in my chair watching recaps on ESPN of my NY Giants big win over the Green Bay Packers, I didn t feel the urge to read Splat the The very first words of the first Scripture for Advent remind us of God s promise to bring justice and righteousness to all creation. But what role do we play in making this promise a reality in our lives, in our world? In Psalms we learned this poignant prayer, Your ways, O Lord, make known to me; teach me your paths, guide me in your truth and teach me. Well, Eddie figured a way to help me fulfill the promise I made; he got the book, climbed into the chair, and snuggling close, looked up at me wordlessly! Promise fulfilled. Each Advent offers us a new opportunity to emulate Eddie s creativity and persistence in discovering what God asks of us in bringing to fulfillment the promise of justice in our world.

2 Happy Advent! College-Age Retreat (January 4-6) Come and begin the new year with the Marianists! Click here to sign up!! This retreat is designed to bring together young people of college-age (17-22 Current Year High School Seniors are welcomed) to renew your spiritual life, deepen your relationship with God and to enrich your association with your peers. Our time will be filled with prayer, special liturgies, peer group discussions and Eucharist. Cost: $120 Cleaning Weekend (January 11-13) This is always a fun way to spend time taking care of Mary s House Come and join us for a day of cleaning and light maintenance as we prepare the houses for a new year. We gather Friday evening for prayer then we clean most of the day on Saturday with departure on Sunday morning. mfrc@capemaymarianists.org if you would like to sign up. Young Adult Retreat (February 15-17) This weekend is for young adults (age 22-35, married or single) who wish to examine their personal faith in relation to God, self, co-workers and others. There will be a time for Eucharist, prayer experiences, faith sharing and social interaction. Cost: $120 Click here to sign up!! This retreat tends to fill quickly so please send your application in as early as possible.

3 If you would like a few extra copies of the brochure please mfrc@capemaymarianists.org and we will get them out to you! 2013 Program Brochures Mailed Hopefully earlier this month hopefully you received the new 2013 Program Brochure. Please note some of our new offerings for 2013 as well as some program date changes. We are eagerly anticipating a great 2013 and hope that you can be a part of one or more of our retreats. Once again, our website has been updated for 2013 please take a look! Men s Retreat The following is a letter written to Ray McCracken in response to our recent Men s Retreat I think it says it all. 30 guys coming together to continue their faith journey it was a special time. Dear Ray, Thank you for the opportunity to be part of the program again this year. It amazes me how each year the retreat gets better and better. You and the staff put a lot of work into it, and it shows. It is so heartwarming to hear first time guys share their admiration and how the retreat was so worthwhile for them. God willing next year, with the rest of the Queens Village guys, it will lead to even more oneness. (if that could really happen) Blessings to you and your family, stay well, and peace in every step, and continue to be a blessing to everyone you meet. With peace and love, Frank To see more photos from this retreat click here

4 Advent Family Retreats The theme this year is "Preparing for Bethlehem: A Journey of Faith." In addition to exploring how our Advent journey relates to our lifelong faith journey, we are also looking at being more intentional during this Year of Faith. One highlight of the weekend is the Family Journey Activity in which families travel to stations set around the retreat house. Each station gives the family the opportunity to stop and reflect on topics such as family unity, God's blessings and honoring those who journey with us. One of the teens from the first Advent retreat felt particularly moved by the Adoration time that was a part of the Family Journey. Of course, we also have fun making cookies and caroling! These Advent retreats provide families and staff with a much needed opportunity to stop, reflect and focus on journeying closer to Christ this season and all throughout the year. ****New Programs for 2013**** We have some new exciting programs scheduled for Three that we would like to highlight are: Creative Prayer Retreat (June 7-9) Come and enrich your spiritual and prayer life in a creative and fun way. Individuals and families (with children 8+) are welcomed to this retreat which will explore how we can communicate with God in many different ways. Mass, creative activities, community and free time are all part of this retreat. Mother (Adult) Daughter Retreat (Mother s Day Weekend: May 10-12): 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 while celebrating your differences. Eucharist, small group sharing, prayer experiences, socials and fun are included.

5 Marianist Prayer Retreat (Mid-week April 9-11): 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. We hope you will be able to join us! 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...** 2013 Retreat Dates: College Age Retreat (ages 18*-21) January 4-6 *open to high school seniors Cleaning & Maintenance (Painting, etc.) Days January Young Adults Retreat (ages 22-35) February Check out for a full listing of Other 2013 Retreat Offerings! Marriage Moments and Parenting Pointers Contributed by Susan Vogt, On Marriage "Rejoice in the Lord always." (Phil 4:4) These words of rejoicing from Gaudete Sunday remind us to be joyful. Why? Because, as John the Baptist reminds us, we are blest if we have enough food and clothing to share. Give a coat to one who has none. Do it today. On Parenting One of the Spiritual Works of Mercy is to "forgive offences willingly." (Mt 6:14) Christmas is generally thought of as a family time, but the hectic pace that precedes it and family gatherings can also be a time of conflict and hurt. Teach your child to forgive siblings, classmates, neighbors. Do it yourself.

6 Blessings to All! The Marianists Cape May Point