Retreat planned in West Bend

By JULIE KEANE, Globe staff reporter
November 6, 2003

WEST BEND - Sts. Peter and Paul Parish will be hosting a mini-retreat on Nov. 30 for people within the parish cluster.

Father John McGuirk and Deacon Phil and Jane Doocy will be presenting the retreat at the Grotto of the Redemption in West Bend. The retreat will be from 2-5 p.m.

After the retreat, the Grotto will host its Holiday Lighting Ceremony.

Father John McGuirk stated the retreat will focus on the church's teaching on the gift of life and how to love and nurture life into full existence.

"There will be two thrusts to it (the retreat): one is to appreciate and celebrate the gift of life and the second is how to nurture and love that life into full existence," he explained.

Father McGuirk will open the retreat with a talk about the gift of life. Following this discussion, there will be a silent reflection. He will then talk about the gift of love from the standpoint of giving and receiving love from God and from other people.

After Father McGuirk makes his presentation, Jane Doocy will share her experience of the gift of life. She will focus on the aspect of life from the standpoint of adoption.

The Doocys will then speak together about the importance of the gift of married love in life.

Following the presentations, there will be a healing Mass that will allow people to be healed of hurt that might have occurred from bringing life into the world and nurturing children. The Mass will be celebrated by Father McGuirk.

"I think that they (people who attend) will take a deeper appreciation for the gift of love and life that our Lord has given us," said Father McGuirk. "I hope that they go away with a deeper sense of appreciation for family."

Father McGuirk also stated that he hopes those who attend are healed of their wounds from life experiences that may include raising children. He stated that parents sometimes feel they haven't done certain things right and carry the pain with them.

"There are a lot of ups and downs in raising a family and marriage," Father McGuirk said. "What we try to do is heal the hurt.

"The whole thing in the end is family and faith. We are trying to focus on the true richness of our purpose here."

Up to this point, the trio has presented this retreat for mostly adults. Last year alone, they gave nine mini-retreats around the diocese on this topic. The group had five retreats around the diocese.

Father McGuirk commented that there is a spot open for all who want to come and participate in the mini-retreat.

Father McGuirk stated that he would like to open this retreat up for confirmation students, but said he has not yet received the opportunity.