WAVERLY (SNR) - Nationally-known retreat leaders Peter and Debbie Herbeck of Renewal Ministries will present an online reflection May 22-23 on “Building Family Relationships.”
The event is hosted by Our Lady of Good Counsel Retreat House in Waverly.
“In addition to having a wonderful sanctuary and so many retreats offered by our priests,” said Father Gary Coulter, director of the retreat house, “Good Counsel also strives to provide a retreat experience for those unable to attend in-person retreats, especially in this time.”
All are invited, but couples and families especially will want to join the four talks with this dynamic couple from www.renewalministries.net, he said.
“We do not hold many marriage retreats or any family events,” he explained, “so this is a unique opportunity for married and engaged couples, and even entire families, to deepen their encounter with Jesus and with each other.”
On Friday at 7 p.m., Peter Herbeck will present “The Battle for Marriage” on the bigger picture and the challenges to marriage. Saturday’s talks will be led by both Debbie and Peter: “Marriage under the Lordship of Jesus” at 9 a.m., “Domestic Affairs—Family Life in Christ” at 10:30 a.m., and “Foreign Affairs—Family on Mission” at 1 p.m. There will be time for questions and answers after all four talks.
Peter and his wife Debbie have four children, seven grandchildren and reside in Ann Arbor, Mich. They say their goal is to speak the truth and have fun, to give a message with practical tools to help others from becoming discouraged during the coronavirus pandemic, and to make it an opportunity to grow as a family.
“We’re hunkered down as families,” Peter said. “It’s time to have the conversations we’ve always been meaning to have, a time to reconcile, to love and affirm each other.”
“In this time, the virtue that is tested for me is hope,” Debbie said. “Too often I try to do to it on my own, I think I’m alone and have to do it by myself. The reality is I’m not trusting in the Lord, and being with my family and walking this journey with them reminds me I am loved, I’m not alone.”
Peter Herbeck is the vice president and director of missions for Renewal Ministries. Actively involved in evangelization and Catholic renewal for more than 35 years, he travels extensively as a frequent conference speaker and author. Peter is a co-host for the weekly EWTN television programs The Choices We Face and Crossing the Goal, and hosts the daily radio show Fire on the Earth.
Debra Herbeck speaks at conferences and retreats about spiritual growth, discipleship, and her conversion from Judaism. For the past 30 years, she has worked in youth and women’s ministry. Debbie is the founder and director of Be Love Revolution (BeLoveRevolution.com), dedicated to helping young women encounter and be God’s love in the world. She has written four books and is a frequent author and speaker for Blessed is She (BlessedIsShe.net), an online community for Catholic women.
Peter and Debbie also have formed and lead id916.com, an outreach of Renewal Ministries that mentors and equips young adult Catholics to live as intentional disciples.
Participants may sign up at goodcounselretreat.com under “Retreats” to receive the livestreaming. The suggested donation for these family reflections are $40/couple or $25/individual. As a free-will donation, no one is turned away for an inability to pay. Any donation is greatly appreciated and supports the work and mission of Good Counsel Retreat House. Recordings will be available if participants miss a session.
Other upcoming online retreats for men and women will be held May 16 with Father James Morin, “Prayer for the Bored, Distracted, and Anxious,” and May 30 with Father Evan Winter, “A Quarantine Retreat with the Book of Job (Bilingual Retiro con el Libro de Job).” More information is available at goodcounselretreat.com, by email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by calling 402-786-2705.
