From the Pastor's Desk:

The Light of the World Retreat supplied me with ample material for faith sharing at our March Liturgy meeting.
 
It was a long and tiring weekend, but a good kind of tired.
I was touched by so many of the presentations, which were delivered with warmth and deep feeling
– and sometimes even tears -by the Retreat leaders.
Each one wove bits of humor and their own personal experiences in with the formatted presentations,
making them feel personal and relatable.
 
Between sessions, we broke up into small groups for discussion, facilitated by one of the leaders.
My group was made up of four women from SHSF and three from St. John’s.
Someone asked if that had been done purposely, for balance between the two parishes.
Our leader said it was not, that the names for each group were drawn randomly.
 
The Holy Spirit must have been the one drawing the names,
because our group bonded instantly and our sharings were so open, honest, heartwarming and intimate
that it allowed us to look deep within the person who was sharing and glimpse their very souls.
I came away from those sessions in awe of the depth of faith and love for God
that resides in the hearts and lives of every one of those women.
I am hoping that my sharings had that same impact on them as well.
 
The closing session on Monday night was very moving.
All the attendees gathered for one last presentation.
A portable microphone was then passed from person to person,
and we were each asked to say something about how the weekend had impacted us.
It was obvious from everyone’s remarks that they had all been personally and profoundly touched by the experience.
 
When my turn came, I shared that over the past few years I have become a “news junky.”
Local news and CNN have become part of the pattern of my life and I’ve spent way too much time
watching and listening to all the tragic and horrific things that have turned our world so dark and ugly.
I shared that, on Sunday evening, as the retreat was winding down,
it occurred to me that I had not seen or heard any news for the entire weekend, and I had not missed it!
The Light of the World Retreat was just that for me, because it reminded me that the Light can overpower the darkness
– and Jesus is the Light of the World.
  
We’ll be having another Light of the World Retreat in October.  I highly recommend it.  

God bless,
Margy Boulet, parishioner and guest columnist   

Upcoming dates: 

• October 6 7:00 pm SHSF First Friday Benediction
• October 7 9:00 am St. John’s First Saturday Mass
• October 8 11:00 am at St John’s 50th ordination social for Fr. Hugh
• October 14 Lector Session - Josh Perry SHSF 
• October 15 9:00 am at SHSF 50th ordination social for Fr. Hugh
• October 16 6:00 pm at SHSF First Communion Family meeting and dinner
• October 22 9:00 am at SHSF RCIA begins
• October 22 at St. John’s 1:00 pm  Mary's Garden Program
• October 27 through 30 at St. John’s Light of the World Retreat

 
 Join us for this wonderful retreat to be held at St. John the Baptist Church October 27-30, 2023
sponsored by our parishes at no cost to you!
Meals provided and go home at night and sleep in your own bed!
Click here for a registration form

DO SOMETHING THAT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE
Light of the World Retreat October 27-30 2023
To be held at St. John the Baptist Church
The retreat is sponsored by SHSF and SJB
(No cost to you, meals provided)

Please know that what you will gain from attending the Light of the World retreat
will far outweigh your investment in time and commitment.

Please return registration form to SHSF or St. John’s Parish office,
or drop in the collection basket For More information, contact 802-442-3141