Three retreats to bring you closer to Jesus this Lent

Lenten Day of Reflection is a mid-point check-up
“Don’t be fooled into giving up if your Lenten sacrifices haven’t gone as planned,” said Father David Huemmer, chaplain at the St. Joseph Retreat & Conference Center. “I often hear from Catholics ‘I’ve had a bad lent--I haven’t followed through with my Lenten promises.’ But conversion is continuous. So even if your Lent has started poorly, you can always pick it up and finish strong.”

At this mid-point of the penitential season, join us for a Lenten checkup at the Lenten Day of Reflection retreat, Tuesday, April 1^st (No Foolin!)

“I’m on a renewed faith journey and recently discovered our diocesan retreat center, an inspiringly beautiful and peaceful place for personal reflection,” said Katrina Crist, Noblesville. “I signed up for the Lenten Day of Reflection because I want to deepen my relationship with Jesus during this season of sacrifice and penance. I look forward to hearing Fr. Huemmer’s teachings and perspectives on Lent in this Jubilee Year of Hope!”

In this retreat, Father Huemmer will explore how the Lenten season invites baptismal catechesis.

“Our Lenten sacrifices are, in essence, moving us toward the renewal of our baptismal promises at Easter,” Father Huemmer added. “Re-affirming the series of baptismal questions symbolizes new beginnings and hope. We’ll explore how Lent can help us be Pilgrims of Hope in this Jubilee Year.”

Baptismal promises are a series of questions asked before baptism. The first option of questions surrounds renouncing Satan, his works and all of his worldly displays. The second set of questions prompts Catholics to profess belief in in God the Father, His Son Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, the Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the resurrection of Christ and life everlasting.

“At this mid-point checkup, guests can reevaluate their Lenten sacrifices. ‘Have you taken on too much?’ ‘Should you pare down and focus?’” added Father Huemmer “Instead of beating yourself up, anchor your sacrifice to what you’re doing to draw closer to Christ. That’s what Lent is about. Then, when you renew your baptismal promise at Easter this year, it will really mean something.”

Led by Father Huemmer and Deacon Marty Stout, the Day of Reflection retreat begins with Morning Prayer and ends with Adoration, Daytime Prayer and Benediction. In between, guests enjoy two conferences, Mass, a Keltie & Co. Catering lunch and time for personal reflection. The retreat runs from 9 am to 3 pm ET and registration is $35.

“When I started high school, we were told to plan on attending special church events like retreats, special feast celebrations and sacrament reception along with mass, said Mary Burford, Muncie, who attended the Lenten Day of Reflection last year. “We were told the experiences would take us out of the world and into Jesus' home. I found very early that this was true. When I was in attendance, I did not think about things going on outside, the distractions around me at home are gone. As time has gone on, I look forward to attending retreats and days of reflection to spend time with Jesus.”

Lent and Advent are popular retreat times at St. Joseph’s--often with high attendance. Guests see those seasons in the church as a time of renewal and an opportunity to draw closer to Christ.

"During Lent, I am looking for a day away from home and the things that distract me there,” said Karen Metzger, Lebanon, who has signed up for this year’s retreat with a friend. “I like to give myself a different perspective on what I may know about Lent that then awakens something in me and gives me new life in Christ.”

Karen’s friend, Jan Syphers, also of Lebanon, was raised in a Baptist church and attends Central Christian Church now. She’s excited to attend the Lenten Day of Reflection and deepen her faith.

“All my life I have been aware of the term Lent, but I do not remember it being stressed in church services other than the reminder that it is a time for preparing ourselves for the gift of Easter and the Resurrection,” Syphers said. “This year during Lent I want to study the scriptures about this time in Christ's life and I want to learn more about the love and promises of God.”

Carpenter’s Shop gifts will be open during the retreat. Retreats are available for men and women aged 19 years and older unless otherwise designated. Teen registrants must be high school graduates. Register online at stjosephretreat.org.

“Every time I attend something is said that seems special to me. When I am on the way home it comes to me how what I heard will take care of a certain thing in my life,” added Burford. “Attending the Lenten Reflection helps me find ways to change something in my life.”

Two other ways to retreat at St. Joseph’s during Lent
Feast of St. Joseph Day of Reflection, Wednesday, March 19th
Celebrate the Feast of St. Joseph on the actual Feast Day! On this Day of Reflection, guests will explore Catholic devotional hymns to St. Joseph.

“With the new divine office hymnal prepared for the Liturgy of the Hours, I have come to realize how much of a catechetical tool hymns are,” said Father David Huemmer, chaplain at the St. Joseph Retreat & Conference Center. “The lyrics of the hymns teach us more about Jesus, the saints and the season.”

This realization made Father Huemmer curious to find hymns about St. Joseph 
“I discovered the book, ‘A Collection of Catholic Devotional Hymns to St. Joseph,’ by Donald A. Howe, as well as other sources of hymns, and I’m eager to lead a retreat exploring St. Joseph and learning what these hymns can teach us about our patron saint.

Led by Fr. David Huemmer, and Deacon Marty Stout, the Day of Reflection retreat begins with Morning Prayer including the hymn “Joseph, high honor of the saints” and ends with Adoration, Daytime Prayer and Benediction. In between, guests enjoy two conferences, Mass, a Keltie & Co. Catering lunch and time for personal reflection. The retreat runs from 9 am to 3 pm ET and registration is $35.

Carpenter’s Shop gifts will be open during the retreat. Retreats are available for men and women aged 19 years and older unless otherwise designated. Teen registrants must be high school graduates. Register online at stjosephretreat.org.

“We’ve also added a St. Joseph hymns playlist to our collection of Spotify playlists which include Advent, Lent, Passiontide and Easter music,” added Father Huemmer. “At the retreat center, we’ve been building playlists to encourage guests to use music to draw closer to Jesus by entering into the liturgical season and feasts that they represent.”

Silent Day Away, Wednesday, March 26th
A twist on the monthly Get Away for a Day retreat, the Silent Day Away is a great introduction to a Silent Retreat.

“Our weekend silent retreats are popular, but not everyone is ready to commit to a weekend of silence,” said Father Huemmer, chaplain at the St. Joseph Retreat & Conference Center. “This self-guided Silent Day Away allows guests to experience silence at their own pace and schedule for a day.”

While this unstructured retreat allows guests to fill the day with spiritual exercises, resources like the St. Joseph Chapel, the beautiful and peaceful grounds, shrines, stations of the cross, St. Jerome library, and cozy gathering spaces provide a prayerful environment.

“After a silent day, guests can consider a weekend silent retreat where over the course of the weekend, guests will make seven holy hours with different scriptures taken from the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius,” added Father Huemmer. “Retreatants also attend Mass and have the opportunity to experience Liturgy of the Hours with catechesis, spiritual direction, and reconciliation.”

Spiritual services are led by Fr. David Huemmer. The Silent Day Away runs from 9 am to 3 pm ET. Registration is $25 and includes mass, adoration, time for personal prayer and a Keltie & Co. Catering lunch.

Carpenter’s Shop gifts will be open during the retreat. Retreats are available for men and women aged 19 years and older unless otherwise designated. Teen registrants must be high school graduates. Register online at stjosephretreat.org.