Mass for all at St Ann's . . .

I thought you might like to see a copy of our timetable for the retreat. Sometimes, people who have never been on a retreat ask me, 'what do you actually do on a retreat?'

Here you can see how our retreat is arranged. No two retreat experiences will be identical but I think all will/should contain common elements such as some sort of spiritual talk and an opportunity for spiritual direction; plenty of opportunity for private prayer and reflection and naturally also time for Confession. Hopefully there will be daily Mass and if you are staying with a religious community, retreatants are often invited to join the community for some of the Divine Office.

I do recommend that if possible, we all find time for a retreat at some time. It needn't be very long, just a quiet day away from the hurly-burly of our daily lives can still give us the time and space to draw closer to God and return to pick up our usual routines refreshed and renewed.

I offered Mass today for all at St Ann's.

On Retreat . . .

Well, I've arrived! I was met with the usual, warm Opus Dei hospitality.

I know I've posted photos of the oratory here before but it is such a beautiful, peaceful and prayerful place, it is worth another airing.

In recent years I've made my retreat a little later in the year when the weather has been a little kinder but the sun is trying to shine today and the lovely grounds here at Lismullin encourage one to take a stroll even if it is a little damp.

Even after less than 24 hours here, I am beginning to 'hear' the silence. That really helps to get on 'God's wavelength'.

Mass for your intentions . . .

Here is a photo of the beautiful chapel at Lismullin - the Holy Family Oratory. I offered Mass today for all at St Ann's.

Below is an aerial view of Lismullin. As you can see it is ideally situated for a retreat centre. Surrounded by farmland, it really is possible to 'retreat' from the world for a few days and spend time in prayer and reflection which is so important, not just for clergy but for all of us.

If you've never thought of making a retreat, I do encourage you to seriously consider doing so. It needn't be for a week, just a day or so away from our usual busy every-day lives spent in prayer is so very beneficial to our spiritual growth. There are several retreat centres not too far away and they often offer a day's retreat or 'Quiet Day' for those unable to stay overnight.

On retreat . . .

Hello everyone! I just wanted to let you see my location. I arrived at The Lismullin Centre yesterday afternoon to begin my retreat.

Our retreat director is Fr Tom McGovern, a priest of the Opus Dei Prelature.

On retreat . . .

As you can see, I've now started my retreat at the Lismullin Conference Centre, Navan, Co. Meath.

As Pope Benedict himself says, it is very important for priests to take time out now and again to spend a concentrated period of time in prayer and reflection so that we may be more effective in our ministry to those we are called to serve:

"We cannot bring to the world the Good News, which is Christ himself in person, if we ourselves are not deeply united with Christ, if we do not know him profoundly, personally, if we do not live by his Word."

Pope Benedict XVI, after his own retreat, 11th March 2006.

I offered Mass today for everyone at St Ann's.

I thought you might like to see some photos of the retreat centre, especially the beautiful Oratory which I showed you on this blog during my retreat here last year. You might also be interested in the time-table of the Retreat for Priests this week.

Making a retreat, even if just 'withdrawing from the world' for a day, or part of a day, is not just something for the clergy. I hope some of you who have never experienced a retreat might be encouraged to try it yourself. There are many places available not too far away which welcome lay people for a day's retreat, a weekend or longer. They are often publicised in our parish newsletter and on our noticeboards.

Last day at Lismullin

Here are a few more photos taken during my recent retreat

at the Lismullin Conference Centre in Co. Meath.

Welcome!

Another photo of the splendid oratory.

A closer view of the tabernacle which depicts the four evangelists from the famous Book of Kells.

As I said goodbye to Lismullin I gave thanks to God for this opportunity to withdraw from the world for a few days; from the hectic pace and demands of parish life to focus on my priesthood and prayer and to examine my daily life.

I would recommend this practice to everyone. It is a marvellous thing to be able to take time away from our busy day to day lives, even just for a short time. There are days of retreat and residential retreats for both men and women at Wickenden Manor amongst many other retreat centres both locally and further afield.

The Oratory

Here you can see the fine Oratory at Lismullin with the altar prepared for Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament.

On Retreat

Now you can all see where I am. This is the Retreat Centre at Lismullin. I'm surrounded by beautiful, peaceful countryside near the hill of Tara.

“We cannot bring to the world the Good News, which is Christ himself in person, if we ourselves are not deeply united with Christ, if we do not know him profoundly, personally, if we do not live by his Word”. Pope Benedict XVI, after his own retreat, 11 March 2006

My simple bedroom at the Lismullin Centre where, so far, I've woken up to sunshine and birds singing.