You’re Invited!
Triangle@Home Monthly Morning Retreat
October 17th, 2020 9:00-10:00am
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*Prepare your space: Find an area where hopefully you will not be disturbed for your quiet time. Perhaps you want a blanket for yourself (or a teddy bear?).
*Gather your supplies: Timer, note paper and/or journal, pen. You may want to bring in one or two inspirational books.
*Create an “altar”: Put a few meaningful items out, include a
candle.
*Opening Song - Come Holy Ghost or one of your choice.
(This is a link in case you want to listen to it & sing along) https://youtu.be/V_AKDFsvrPg
****(There is an Ad at the beginning of this link. I apologize. I don’t know how to copy the link and not have the ad show up. Please skip it as soon as you can.)
Lyrics:
Come, Holy Ghost, Creator blest, And in our hearts take up Thy rest;
Come with thy grace and heav'nly aid to fill our hearts which thou hast made,
To fill our hearts which Thou has made.
O Comforter, to thee we cry, Thou heav'nly gift of God most high;
Thou fount of life, and fire of love, And sweet anointing from above,
And sweet anointing from above.
Chorus:
Be not afraid, where you go there I am with you. (2x)
O Holy Ghost, through thee alone, Know we the Father and the Son;
Be this our firm unchanging creed, That thou dost from them both proceed,
That thou dost from them both proceed.
Praise we the Lord, Father and Son, And Holy Spirit with them one;
And may the Son on us bestow all gifts that from the Spirit flow,
All gifts that from the Spirit flow.
Chorus:
Be not afraid, where you go there I am with you. (2x)
*Opening Prayers - The Sign of the Cross/Our Father/Hail Mary/Glory Be or your choice.
*Intention: This is a reflective, healing time and we ask that it be filled with the love of the Holy Spirit, the care of Mother Mary and the guidance of all our guardian angels. We are here to learn from one another and to support each other on our journey towards a closer, more intimate relationship with Our Lord.
*Write out a prayer request or a few and add them to your “altar.”
*Reflection - The world is still dealing with the Corona Virus. Nothing much has changed since March except Covid fatigue has now arrived. We are faced with daily decisions based on little information about how to take care of ourselves and our families and many are finding it to be very daunting. How are you doing? How have you continued to stay connected to God, the Divine, Our Lord? What has come into your heart and your life during this time of chaos and uncertainty, peace, hope, fear, compassion maybe even gratitude?
Using your journal write about any insights. (10-15 min.)
Gospel
Jesus said to his disciples:
“I tell you,
everyone who acknowledges me before others
the Son of Man will acknowledge before the angels of God.
But whoever denies me before others
will be denied before the angels of God.
“Everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven,
but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit
will not be forgiven.
When they take you before synagogues and before rulers and authorities,
do not worry about how or what your defense will be
or about what you are to say.
For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that moment what you should say.”
*Journaling Time - What did you hear God sharing with you? What do you want to share with God? (10-15 minutes)
*Centering Prayer - 10 to 20 (recommended) minutes of silent time (you decide.)
*Centering Prayer - Guidelines
- Sit comfortably.
- Choose a sacred word on which to focus.
- Set a timer.
- Don’t judge, just observe.
- The phrase that often precedes Centering Prayer is: I let go of security, affection & control and fully accept this moment exactly as it is. (Optional)
- Take a few breaths at the end to return to the present moment and to reflect on the experience.
*Make it Your Own:
Perhaps you have an inspirational book you have been meaning to investigate but you just haven’t had the opportunity. Now is the time. If you have some time left before the end of the hour open it and see what other messages the Holy is sending to you.
You could also use this time to say the Rosary. Saturday in the Catholic Church is set aside as “Mary’s Day” and the reflection is on the Joyful Mysteries.
*Closing Prayer -
Dear God,
Speak gently in my silence.
When the loud outer noises of my surroundings and the loud inner noises of my fears keep pulling me away from you,
help me to trust that you are still there even when I am unable to hear you.
Give me ears to listen to your small, soft voice saying: “Come to me, you who are overburdened,
and I will give you rest...
for I am gentle and humble of heart.”
Let that loving voice be my guide.
Amen
Excerpt from With Open Hands by Henri J.M. Nouwen, ave maria press, 2006
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God-what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:1-2
*Sharing a Word Exercise - choose a word from your reading or your quiet time (your sacred word?) and share it on an email to me. Feel free to share any other thoughts or insights you have gained from this sacred time. I will send out an email with everyone’s response around Noon today.
Thank you.
Jean Costa, MSW, RYT
Certified Spiritual Director
JeanAnneCosta@gmail.com
