Post Retreat Life

I recently finished reading a wonderful book, The diary of a Country Priest, which is the beautiful story of how closely connected our dear priests are to their parishes.

I promised to share a bit of my retreat with you all and so I shall try my best to share, but I must at the same time beg your forgiveness as I lack the ability to really express what the retreat was for me. It began with a touch of socialization and a hearty meal, and ended with a social brunch. Sandwiched between these social bonanzas of fun was a time of silence, which is where I thrive and flourish. Being used to Saturdays in my room spent dashing between the kitchen and the chapel, it almost seemed to be noisier in the silence of a retreat with talks and rosaries and confession then a normal Saturday for my interior is continually striving for silence. But to be silent in communion is the key. The beauty of eating with others, nourishing your bodies in communion while also nurturing that silence necessary to our soul is what I desire. this was what the retreat said to me... eat in silent communion.

Due to the almost everyday silence of my being, that which most touched me during the retreat were the brief social interludes. Especially a very fun game entitles, "Who Stole the Cookie" or "Who, What, Where". This hilarious mix of charades, clue, and telephone involves creating a who, a what, and a where. 4 people are sent out of the room for the decision and one is invited back to begin the game. she is told the three items and a second person is called back. Person 1 acts out the who, what, and where for her teammate who is not told if she is guessing rightly or not and must then act these items out for the third... the third acts them for the fourth, and the fourth guesses! how wonderful it was to play this game... so wonderful in fact that we played it in the train station on the way home....yes a bunch of young women fresh off retreat acting out silly clues in the middle of the train station. Now that is what I call being free!

God bless!