E-Breeze - Diocesan News

Also like Cursillo, it is an experience that becomes richer with prayer and reflection.  As always, Cliffview was beautifully serene, and the food and hospitality were amazing.  The bond of love and community was deeply moving. 

Father Raymond's spiritual prescience was up-lifting and peppered with good humor as always.  We were truly relaxed and "at home" in the company of our spiritual family; whether engaged in a serious discussion of our Christian life or participating in fun-loving games.  For us, the retreat weekend was truly renewing.

De Colores from Harold and Bobbie Bayes.

On Saturday morning we were nourished with the Fruits of the Spirit of Joy & Generosity by speaker Ellie Durbin.  She began transforming a very lonely and sad palm tree into an uplifting Fruits of the Spirit tree.  Ellie explained Joy and Generosity as great happiness and delight; giving and sharing freely the Gifts of God given to us as Children of God.

Saturday afternoon Part I:  Sister Sandy Delgado continued to nourish us and transform the palm tree with the Fruits of the Spirit of Patience and Faithfulness.  Sister Sandy explained these fruits as a covenant love with God; unquestioning trust and loyalty and commitment for the duration.  Letting God be God, and recommitting ourselves to Him everyday of our lives.

Saturday afternoon Part II:  Jerry O’Daniel nourished us and the palm tree with the Fruits of the Spirit of Peace and Self-Control.  Jerry explained this is an inner peace, seeking God in all things.  That we should trust the Holy Spirit and His helpers in Small Group Reunions, Ultreyas, and a Spiritual Director.  Jerry explained three stages of Self-Control:  Self-Centered, Other-Centered and God-Centered; giving to God our selfishness, and letting God be in control.  We should focus on the positive with the help of the Holy Spirit, through Grace, Love, Prayer, Time, and Discipline.  We should live in the present moment, and look for the best in others.

On Sunday morning Deacon Johnny McLewis nourished and fed us with the Fruits of Kindness, Gentleness and Love.  The Deacon explained so beautifully how the Fruits of the Holy Spirit relate so well to the Gifts of the Holy Spirit and the Beatitudes.  Love your neighbor as yourself!  Jesus was both human and divine, and in imitating Jesus we too are like Jesus, with His unconditional love for all of us.  In being kind to someone, we transcend our feelings and needs, and we feel their feelings and needs.  By being humble and gentle, we can have “Fear of the Lord” yet not fear Him – just being with Him and letting God work through us.

We were all spiritually “sent forth” as Father Ray Stratman celebrated Mass,  assisted by Deacon John Lewis, before leaving us to return to our own environments to spread Gods “Fruits of the Spirit” among us.  My husband Phil and I truly know that our lives have been re-spiritualized by these “mini-vacations” with God and His friends.

De Colores from Mary and Phil Jackson.