Fr. Goodwin to lead Lenten retreat Feb. 28-March 1 in Waverly
Waverly (SNR) – Our Lady of Good Counsel Retreat House in Waverly invites all men and women to begin the season of Lent with a weekend retreat led by Father Christopher Goodwin Feb. 28 to March 1.
The theme of the retreat “Living on God’s Word” comes from Jesus’ words in Matthew 4:4, “One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.” This is the Gospel reading for Mass of the first Sunday of Lent, which will culminate the weekend retreat.
“For this retreat, I will encourage people to pray the Bible,” Father Goodwin said, “and to expect God to speak to them in very personal and particular ways through the pages of his written word. To learn how to do this, we will practice together a simple form of lectio divina—prayerful scripture-reading. I will share examples, from my own and others’ experience, of ordinary ways in which God speaks to us.”
The simplest way to prepare for the retreat, he said, is to pray like the young Samuel did: “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening” (1 Samuel 3:10), and to expect the Lord to answer. One could read passages like The Call of Matthew (Luke 5:27-32) and The Temptation of Jesus (Matt. 4:1-11) and listen to what the Word is saying.
Father Goodwin also suggested Pope Francis’s new apostolic letter, Aperuit Illis, by which he has given special impetus to the search of sacred scripture by instituting the “Sunday of the Word of God.”
“Going on retreat is one of my favorite things to do,” Father Goodwin said, “because God always wants to draw me closer to him through prayer and reflection. As Mary of Bethany knew, we need stillness to focus on the ‘one thing’ necessary to our happiness: our relationship with God.
“Lent is a fitting time to return more of our attention to God,” he continued, “and the Scriptures provide us with a bottomless ocean of truth about God’s love for us and his plan for our lives.”
Father Goodwin was ordained a priest of the Lincoln Diocese in 2004 and has served in the parishes and schools in David City, Appleton, Hastings (St. Cecilia), Benkelman and Stratton, and Weston and Touhy. For four years he worked on the staff of the apostolic nunciature in Washington, D.C., and for two years has helped with the needs of the diocese’s priests as Vicar for Clergy. He resides and assists at St. Teresa Parish in Lincoln.
Retreats start Friday with an 8 p.m. Rosary and Mass, and conclude with Sunday Mass and lunch.
The schedule of upcoming retreats at Good Counsel Retreat House in Waverly is available at www.goodcounselretreat.com, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 402-786-2705.
Upcoming retreats for men and women will be held March 6-8, “Biblical Prayer and its Benefits” with Father Joseph Faulkner; March 13-15, “The Challenge of Missionary Discipleship” with Tony Brandt and Chris Stewart; and March 23-26, a directed Spiritual Exercises Ignatian retreat.
