A Spiritual Retreat Day with St Joseph

As a way for our parish to mark the year of St Joseph, we were very pleased to have the Sapientia Project help organise and run a retreat for us in June. I think providence certainly had a hand in presenting this opportunity and allowing it to go ahead in the midst of multiple lockdowns and restrictions. It was a very blessed day; with great presentations from our speakers opening up some fantastic engagement. The responses revealed that St Joseph certainly holds an important place in the hearts of the faithful and is seen by many not just as an example but as a steady and approachable companion through life. Days like these ones really let the faith of our parishioners shine brightly so that we might strengthen each other on the way.

Fiona Bradley deserves a lot of credit for the initiative and her organisation of the retreat, as well as Anna Krohn and Sr Mary Sarah for joining her in travelling to Swan Hill for the presentations. I would encourage other parishes to consider engaging them in the future (www.sapientiaproject.com). We were also very lucky that this retreat was so well supported by our parishioners, some who had had travelled over an hour to join us from Nandaly, as well as Fr Anthony Nagothu travelling to represent our neighbours in Robinvale and Ouyen. A special thanks is also due to our Catering Group for their wonderful hospitality and Mary Kennedy for her help in setting things up.

Fr James

Responses from our Parishioners

We had a very enriching day hearing from 3 speakers; Anna Krohn, Fiona Bradley and Sr Mary Sarah OP. Anna spoke of St Joseph as ‘Promoter of Social Justice’ (Talk and Discussion). We then had a lovely morning tea. Fiona spoke next: ‘St Joseph Patron of a Happy Death’. We had a short break to pray or go for a walk or just share with others. We then went to the Church for Mass, with Fr James and Fr Anthony from Robinvale- then lunch (how nice!). Reconciliation was available after lunch. Then Sr Mary spoke about Saint Joseph as ‘Guardian of the Domestic Church’. We had close to 50 people, both men and women, with plenty of discussion and questions. Such a wonderful day with 3 very special speakers. Many thanks to Fr James, Mary Kennedy and the catering ladies. Looking forward to more of these days.

Helen M.

The retreat was a great success and everyone enjoyed the morning tea and luncheon provided by the Parish Catering Group. Everyone had tome to circulate during the breaks and Mass and Reconciliation was available to all after the retreat, making a perfect finish to a memorable day and I hope we can have another retreat in the future.

Jocelyn I.