WAVERLY (SNR) - Father Matthew Rolling invites all to a retreat at Our Lady of Good Counsel Retreat House in Waverly Nov. 13-15 entitled, “Couch to Saint: Train to Be an Authentic Follower of Christ.”
“There’s a popular exercise program called Couch to 5K,” he said. “The idea is to become equipped in a short time for something which seemed impossible up to this point. This is a great parallel for the living of our Faith.”
People may find the lives of the saints inspiring, but consider them impossible to achieve. The Church teaches on the contrary, that “all Christ’s faithful, whatever be the conditions, duties and circumstances of their lives-and indeed through all these, will daily increase in holiness” (Lumen Gentium 41).
The retreat will reflect upon simple ways by which all may become the saint God calls each to be. Father Rolling recommended the books “Introduction to the Devout Life” by St. Francis de Sales and Father Jacques Philippe’s “In the School of the Holy Spirit.”
Father Rolling pondered the importance of retreats with a passage from the Prophet Hosea (2:16): “I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak tenderly to her.”
“Despite Israel’s infidelities,” he explained, “God remains faithful and still wants to show His love to her. Whether we are far from God or have remained near Him, a retreat provides an opportunity for our Father to draw us to a place where He can speak tenderly to our hearts in the quiet and silence without distractions. He speaks words of love to us, reminding us that He delights in us.”
Father Rolling was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Lincoln in 2010. He has served at St. Mary Parish Nebraska City and St. Cecilia in Hastings as a parochial vicar, high school religion and Spanish teacher, and vicar for Hispanic Ministry. After studying in Rome, Father Rolling returned as academic dean and philosophy teacher at St. Gregory the Great Seminary, Lincoln’s college seminary in Seward.
Our Lady of Good Counsel Retreat House is offering their retreats in-person following social-distance guidelines, and also online streaming that can be viewed from home. Retreats typically begin with a rosary and Mass at 8 p.m. on Friday, and end with Sunday Mass around noon.
Upcoming retreats will be Nov. 20-22, Spanish retreat with Father Decaen; Dec. 4-6, “The Mystery of Marriage Revealed” with Father Holdren; and Dec. 11-13 men’s retreat with Regnum Christi. Register online and see the full schedule of retreats 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.
