Retreat to prepare parishioners for Lent

By KATIE LEFEBVRE, Globe staff reporter
February 5, 2004

St. Michael's Parish in Sioux City will hold a retreat for parishioners to prepare them for the season of Lent.

The retreat, Preparing for Lent: A Grace Odyssey, will be held Feb. 20 from 7 to 9 p.m. and Feb. 21 from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at St. Michael's Church and Parish Center.

"We encourage all adults from the city, anyone who can make it, to come," said Sister Jean Ann Rausch, FSPA, pastoral minister at St. Michael's. "We are also encouraging our confirmation students to come. I think they will get a lot out of it."

The presenter for the retreat will be Father Joseph Nassal, CPPS. He is outreach coordinator for the Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation in Chicago, Ill. He is the author of eight books including The Conspiracy of Compassion: Breathing Together for a Wounded World, Premeditated Mercy: A Spirituality of Reconciliation and Moments of Truth: A Spirituality of Time Grace and Sacred Space. He has been engaged in retreat and renewal ministry since 1988. Ordained in 1982, Father Nassal has also served in parish and justice and peace ministry and in formation, vocation and leadership for his religious community.

"He is a very wonderful speaker," said Sister Jean Ann. "It is going to be time, grace oriented. People who come to this are going to be giving themselves a real gift."

She also explained that Father Nassal would talk about how Christ saves people from disaster, despair and disgrace and how he leads people to a land of promise, peace and possibility.

Different themes will be explored during the retreat including Time will Tell: Echoes of Grace and a Change in Pace, The Nature of Grace: Experiencing the Pleasure of God, States of Grace: Postcards from the Edge of Life and Time on Our Hands: Grace in Action. These themes will be covered in Father Nassal's talks.

On Friday evening Father Nassal will give one talk and refreshments will be provided. When the group comes back on Saturday, Father Nassal will give three other talks accompanied by sharing and questions. There will also be a noon luncheon on Saturday.

"I think we really need to take time to spend with the Lord because the season of Lent is about time and sacred space," said Sister Jean Ann. "Our theme this year at St. Michael Parish is going to be Lenten Journey. We are going to have footprints put up at each liturgy. We will be putting them under the way of the cross. We will have 25 for the first seven stations and 25 for the last seven. It will give us time to reflect on our journey with the Lord during this time in preparation for Easter."

An offering will be taken for the luncheon on Saturday, but otherwise there is no registration fee. The parish is providing this for the parishioners of St. Michael's as well as parishioners throughout Sioux City. Pre-registration is not required but welcomed. For more information call St. Michael's Parish at (712) 239-2411.