Adult retreat to look at holiness in the ordinary

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
Posted January 9, 2003

EARLY - It may happen when you see a colorful sunset or the smile on a child's face - seeing God in everyday life.

All of life can be a stepping-stone to holiness, an opportunity to be filled with the presence of God. Then why do people stand in the midst of abundance and starve?

It is with that in mind that the topic of the next diocesan retreat for men and women was built.

"Seeing the Holy in the Ordinary," offered by the Office Faith Formation of the Diocese of Sioux City for adults, will be held from 1 to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 26 at Sacred Heart Church in Early.

"It seems as though people are starving spiritually," said Bev Hurni, director of family ministries for the diocese. "As different things have happened in our country in the last 18 months or so, we have heard a lot of bad news. Sometimes we might wonder where God is in all of this."

Through the retreat, members of the retreat team hope they can teach people how to step back and reflect in order to see with new eyes.

"It requires that we be reflective people," noted Hurni. "We pause enough to take a backwards glance at life - at our day, our week - and see the depth of our experiences."

Taking on this reflective nature in this day and age can be difficult she acknowledged with people's busy schedules.

"But it is in the reflection and the quieting down that we can get in touch with the presence of God and seeing things in a new light," she said.

Along with Hurni the retreat was organized by a planning committee made up of parishioners from throughout the diocese - Cary Brown, Julianne Gilbert and Father Doug Klein, all from Storm Lake; Cleo Harder, Sioux City; and Mary Ricke, Fort Dodge. They will also serve as facilitators of the day.

At the retreat, participants will learn the prayer form or process lectio di bina.

"It is the process where you can take ordinary things - Scripture, a poem or a letter you receive - and you read until something strikes you," said Hurni. "Then you stop and wait to see what God has to teach you."

She pointed out that people may want to attend the retreat in order to have their own faith life enriched.

"Seeing the Holy in the Ordinary" has been designed as a model retreat. For $2 those who attend may purchase a packet which provides everything they need to repeat the retreat in their own parish or cluster. Hurni recommended that three to five persons from a particular parish or cluster attend if they wish to facilitate it on their own at a later time.

"Conversion is ongoing," she stressed. "It is something that happens between birth and death. There are all kinds of opportunities throughout life to grow in your relationship with God. This retreat would be an opportunity for that, and we are also going to help them learn how their ordinary life can help them do that, too."

There is a $5 fee to attend the retreat that will include a light lunch.

Those interested in attending the retreat are asked to pre-register by Jan. 21 so organizers will have a count for lunch and materials. For more information call, Sandi at 712-233-7530 or e-mail Hurni at bevh@scdiocese.org.