Dec. 4-6 retreat open to married or single persons, couples or individuals
Waverly (SNR) – Father Benjamin Holdren invites men and women to a retreat entitled “Prayerfully Exploring the Beauty of Marriage” Dec. 4-6 at Our Lady of Good Counsel Retreat House in Waverly.
The retreat is for married or single persons, couples or individuals.
“Possibly one of the most beautiful gifts that God has given to humanity is the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony,” said Father Gary Coulter, director of the retreat house. “Sadly, it is increasingly under attack today, and many people have little understanding of just how important and holy the gift of marriage is.”
“The Church teaches us that marriage is more than just two people living together because they share common likes or find it convenient,” Father Holdren said. “It is a sacramental covenant that bonds two people in an indissoluble union by which the couple makes God present in their marriage, and become a mirror reflecting His love.”
St. Paul tells us of God’s intended plan for the beauty of marriage: “‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’ This is a great mystery, and I mean in reference to Christ and the church.” (cf. Ephesians 5:21-32)
“The word for ‘mystery’ here means sacrament,” Father Holdren explained. “The great sacrament of marriage is meant to reflect the love Christ has for His church: a complete love without holding anything back, a love freely given, fruitful and faithful.”
He reiterated that the retreat is an opportunity for men and women of all ages, including individual spouses, the single and divorced, to spend time reflecting on this significant way God has chosen to reveal his love to his people.
Ordained in 2007, Father Holdren is currently pastor at St. Peter and St. Joseph churches in Bellwood, and spent seven years as assistant pastor at the UNL Newman Center. Chaplain and religion teacher at Aquinas High School in David City, he previously taught at Pius X High School in Lincoln.
Our Lady of Good Counsel retreats are being held both in-person and on-line, typically beginning with a rosary and Mass at 8 p.m. Friday, and ending with Mass and noon lunch on Sunday.
All individuals who schedule a retreat in person will have a private room and bathroom, nutritious meals prepared for them each day, and get to participate in Mass, confession, devotions and Eucharistic adoration.
To protect everyone and allow for safe distancing, retreatants have separate rooms, their own pew in the chapel, and the tables are spaced at meals. Participants can meet individually with the director in a large, open space.
The retreat house staff disinfects all surfaces each day, asks individuals not to attend if they are sick or have been exposed, and offers refunds if someone needs to cancel.
Other upcoming retreats include a Spanish retreat Nov. 20-22, a men’s retreat Dec. 10-13 with Regnum Christi, and an Advent day of reflection Dec. 19 with Father Jeffrey Eickhoff.
To register or for more information, go to www.goodcounselretreat.com, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 402-786-2705.
