WAVERLY (SNR) - Our Lady of Good Counsel Retreat House in Waverly will sponsor a virtual Saturday morning retreat May 2, from 9 a.m. to noon.
The event will include conferences and a holy hour with first Saturday devotions for men or women. It combines the month of May, which is traditionally dedicated to Our Lady, with the “First Saturday,” a day of devotion requested by Our Lady of Fatima, and is presented with the Marian Sisters of the Diocese of Lincoln, who are “doing God’s will joyfully in imitation of Mary and St. Francis.”
The reflections presented online by the Marian Sisters, from the retreat house, will speak on Mary’s importance in the life of the Church and in every person’s own life, looking at why and how people give her honor and ask her intercession as their Mother.
“To put it simply,” explained, Father Gary Coulter, director of the retreat house, “Mary is our mom. She’s our mother because we are all members of the Body of Christ.
“And even more,” he continued, “Mary looks at us and will see Christ her son dwelling in us—provided we are striving to conform our life to his. As our spiritual mother, Mary loves us more than you can ever imagine; she is our advocate and helper who intercedes and cares for all of us without fail, when we fly to her refuge.”
During the virtual holy hour, the Marian Sisters will provide music and invite all to join in Adoration and the First Saturday devotions.
In accord with the request of Our Lady of Fatima, all are invited to join in meditation and the rosary as an an act of reparation.
“Reparation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary is an act of love done to repair the harm done by sins,” said Mother Ann Marie Zierke of the Marian Sisters, “both for our own sins and also for the sins of others, so there may be an outpouring of grace and mercy by the Holy Spirit.
“Even if we’re not able to join in an actual May crowning this year,” Mother Ann Marie continued, “we can give Mary a spiritual crown, a crown that comes from the heart, and from living a life in imitation of her beauty and virtue.”
Participants may watch and pray at home on the First Saturday via live stream; registration at www.goodcounselretreat.com is required to receive the live streaming. A free-will donation is requested but not required. For more information contact the Retreat House at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 402-786-2705.
