Comments from Visitors

"How blessed we are to have this holy place where God's presence is felt and experienced. It is like finding and being fed at an oasis of love. Through retreats, workshops and spiritual direction, God continually offers the invitation to "come and see” and, nourished by love, we are sent forth to labor with the Lord in promoting the Kingdom. It's a gift!"
—  Jeanine Breault, Bath, PA

The Gift of Silence

Dear Lord,

This has been a tremendous gift. To retreat from the tyranny of technology, not to be accessible every moment of the day, to have quiet and rest for an extended period of time is indeed gift enough. To this we add this lovely facility, so rich in history, and a staff that cares for us, feeds us and guides us to none other than the creator of the universe – the Lord God!

But the greatest gift of all is to enter into the presence of God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit. To be humbled, stretched and conformed to the likeness of your Son. Thank you Lord for confronting my self-sufficiency, for your willingness to take the throne of my life, and for your promise to “immediately reach out” when I begin to sink in doubt.

I have learned this week that you write straight with crooked lines—to be sure I will continue to supply you with ample material—I so look forward to the day that line brings us face to face.

As I return to the world, full of work—both civil and ecclesiastical—full of challenge and full of joy, my only desire is that in all things I might choose that which leads me to a deepening of God’s life in mine. AMEN

—  Written by David Bellamy on January 30, 2008—the last day of a week-long silent retreat at the Jesuit Center in Wernersville, Pennsylvania.

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Last modified: May 2, 2008