WAVERLY (SNR) - With public events and gatherings limited to 10 people or less, Our Lady of Good Counsel Retreat House in Waverly is still open, and invites all to consider making a private retreat during this time.
Father Gary Coulter, director of the retreat house, held a private directed Ignatian retreat last week, and said the silent retreat for less than 10 people—that also utilized social distancing—was a great success.
“Several people expressed how it was so beneficial to be able to spend time with Jesus during this crisis, to enter into prayer, free from the constant bombardment of news, and of course, to have the opportunity to attend Mass, receive the Eucharist and confession, and have extended times of Eucharistic exposition.”
Although individuals of all faiths are always welcome to schedule a private retreat of one or more days on their own, Father Coulter suggested the advantages of attending one of the private directed Ignatian retreats.
“The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius provide a structure and method for making your prayer times, so you have a plan and guide on how to pray. And being a directed retreat gives people a chance to talk with me or another priest once per day, to see what the Lord is doing and give them direction for their next day’s prayer.
“Although completely silent,” Father Coulter continued, “there is a power knowing you are praying in solidarity with other retreatants who are also praying for you.”
All individuals who schedule a retreat will have a private room and bathroom, and nutritious meals prepared for them each day.
Retreatants’ rooms are separated by empty rooms. Every participant has his or her own table at meals, as well as their own pew in the chapel. Participants meet individually with their director in a large, open space, allowing for safe distance.
The retreat house staff is disinfecting all surfaces each day, and asks individuals not to attend if they are sick, have been exposed, or are at a high risk. There will be a full refund, or option to transfer to another retreat, if a scheduled participant is unable to attend a retreat.
Upcoming scheduled four-day private directed retreats, for men and women of all ages, include April 6-9 (Monday through Thursday) Holy Week retreat and April 13-16 (Monday through Thursday) Easter Week retreat. During the week of April 20-27 (Monday through Monday), there will be eight- and four-day retreat options.
See goodcounselretreat.org for the full schedule of retreats, or contact 402-786-2705 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
