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August 2008
August Happenings at The Retreat Center
As many as thirty-two remarkable groups visited The Retreat Center during August of 2008, bringing the total number of guests to more than 1100 -- men and women taking time for formation, orientation, or simply to focus and plan for the future.
- This is the first time I noticed so many parish staffs (9) from the Archdiocese of Detroit taking advantage of the comfortable space, the hospitable personnel and the outdoor beauty of St. John during one month. We are grateful to be of service to our colleagues in ministry.
- A staple of the August calendar is the FGM Pastoral Ministry Conference. This year the blending of art and pastoral theology enabled participants to tap into right brain energy and creativity to renew and stimulate minds and spirits.
- Catholic clergy events included a diaconate formation retreat and another convening of the Good Leaders/Good Shepherds program.
- The Center welcomed three large catholic communities who came to pray and worship: the Detroit Catholic Charismatic Renewal, the Word of Life Community and a chapter of Secular Franciscans.
- The Retreat Center staff conducted a Covenant Love Retreat for couples preparing for marriage. The event received high praise for the content and process that enabled the engaged to interact with presenters and hear the witness of couples at various stages of married life.
- Diocesan liturgical leaders were here as well as a group of campus ministers.
- Five separate Protestant church communities found welcoming space for their work and prayer this month.
- A large group of community organizers spent five intensive days of training and networking on behalf of action for social justice.
- A number of additional community service groups came to St. John for their prayer and planning.
Mass is celebrated in the main chapel at 7:00 p.m. every Sunday.
The Program Guide for 2008-2009 is available online or may be requested by calling Janet at (734) 414-1104.
Learning to Pray with the Bible begins October 2nd.
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