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DCCW to hold Lenten retreat at St. Patrick’s Sheldon

By KARA KOCZUR, Globe staff reporter
(Email Kara)

The Diocesan Council of Catholic Women invites women from across the diocese to a Lenten retreat: “Rooted in faith, living in hope, growing in love.”

The retreat lasts from 1 to 4 p.m., Feb. 28, at St. Patrick’s Church in Sheldon.

“We’re hoping that at this early time in Lent that [the women] will really be able to seek some of spiritual direction and realize that we’re on that journey,” said Wynn Touney of the DCCW.

The retreat begins with a holy hour, which is followed by a reflection on the readings from the second Sunday of Lent, given by Father Jim Tigges, DCCW moderator. Father Tigges hopes the reflections will give the women a few starting points, which they can use during prayer and discussion.

“It’s important to take time out at the beginning of the Lenten season, just to root themselves in the faith and the hope that they have in the Lord and have the opportunity as they go about the rest of the Lenten season to learn again how to love,” he said. “Not that they don’t know how, but just to give them some fresh ideas, some starters.”

His hope, Father Tigges said, is that the women will gain a better sense that God is working in their lives and that they’re able to see the divine in the ordinary things that happen around them during Lent.

“It all boils down to the fact that we have to be rooted in that faith and that hope that God is present to grow in the love that God has given us,” he said.

Touney said she believes the women will find the retreat to be a time of growth, as well as a time of coming together with other women.

“We have found Father Tigges to be just a wonderful spiritual director for us in the matter of helping us look at our life at this time and how to grow within that,” she said.

This is the last retreat in a series of six that were held the past two years in each of the deaneries. There is no cost for the retreat and registration is not necessary, though a freewill offering will be accepted for the meal prepared by the women of St. Patrick’s. All women are invited to attend.

“We’ll be able to accommodate all that can join us so we encourage people to carpool to be able to attend,” Touney said.