2023 Men's Retreat

 

DATES: August 11-13, 2023

LOCATION: The historic Visitation Monastery, Mobile, AL

 

 

RETREAT LEADER: Fr. Joseph Mary, MFVA 

Fr. Joseph Mary, MFVA will serve as retreat leader. He was born and raised in eastern Iowa. He is the Chaplain of the Eternal Word Television Network where he initially came to work in 1985 as an engineer.  Two years later he became one of the founding members of the men’s community which Mother Angelica founded in 1987: the Franciscan Missionaries of the Eternal Word.

Fr. Joseph was ordained to the priesthood in 1993 and often celebrates the daily televised Mass.  He has produced a number or series featured on EWTN, including, Faith in the Heartland on the faith of farmers in his home state of Iowa; The Church Universal on lay movements in the Church; Mini-Series on Fatima, Lourdes and The Holy Land; as well as, a number of the prayers and devotions which regularly air on EWTN.

 

ABOUT

The retreat will take the traditional form of a ‘silent’ retreat. Sacrament of Reconciliation and Daily Mass is offered. The retreat begins Friday evening, with check-in beginning at 5:00 p.m., and will conclude on Sunday, after lunch. Plan to stay overnight. Space is limited to the number of private rooms. Reservations taken on a first come, first serve basis.

WHY A SILENT RETREAT?

A silent retreat allows one to enter what Matthew Kelly calls the “classroom of silence.” He writes, “It is in the Classroom of Silence that God bestows his wisdom on men and women.” Silence is difficult to come by in a busy world, and many of us don’t know what to do with ourselves during times of silence. Television, radios, cell phones, and computers have taken away times of silence and contemplation, and this retreat is meant to restore it. With the exception of Friday evening’s meal and Sunday’s noon meal, there is no talking to other retreatants, even when you are seated together for dinner.

DONATIONS

A suggested minimum donation of $200.00, to cover room, meals, and the retreat master’s stipend and travel costs, will be collected during the weekend. Donations are payable to Visitation Monastery. If you’d like to donate a little more, we’re sure the sisters will appreciate it.

QUESTIONS?

If you have any questions, please contact Chris Calametti (cala001@bellsouth.net 251-423-9698), or Tommy Fulton (tommyfulton@gmail.com 251-422-2556.