SUMMER HOME RETREAT

Monday July 19 to Friday July 23, 2010
REGISTRATION CLOSED

The Summer Home Retreat is designed for men and women who are seeking a deeper relationship with God and cannot take time off for an extended retreat. This retreat is an opportunity for those who cannot ordinarily get away to pray and reflect. It is a time to have the support of a personal spiritual director.

Each July since 1984, Mercy Center has sponsored an Internship in the Art of Spiritual Direction for intern spiritual directors from across the United States, Canada, Australia, Europe, Latin America, Africa, and Asia. These directors come together in a supervised program to enhance their skills and support each other’s ministry. During one week of their month-long program, they share their ministry with the Friends of Mercy Center by offering the Summer Home Retreat.

In this type of retreat you live at home in your usual setting and go through your normal routine--working out an appropriate daily pattern for prayer and reflection, and coming to Mercy Center for one hour each day for spiritual direction. For those who work during the day, arrangements can be made to come for direction in the evening. Your director will call you during the week before the retreat to discuss your expectations, answer your questions, and set a time to meet. A firm commitment to the retreat experience and to the five sessions is all that is required.

What is Spiritual Direction?

A spiritual director helps a person notice and respond to the movement of God as experienced in prayer and in the events of ordinary life. The director acts as a listening, supportive person who creates an atmosphere where one can look honestly at his or her relationship with God, as it is lived out in everyday life.

In addition, there are opportunities for:

• Daily prayer
• Optional group prayer
• Creative expression
• Reflection and renewal
• Walks in nature

The time of day you come is set with your spiritual director.

There is no charge for this retreat experience. For those who can afford it, a voluntary offering would be appreciated.