By Shelby Siegfried
for the Register
Dedicated staff and volunteers work tirelessly to ensure the retreat experience runs smoothly
For six decades, Our Lady of Good Counsel Retreat House has beckoned individuals to step away from the chaos of their daily lives and immerse themselves in prayer, reflection, and renewal.
Father Gary Coulter, director of Our Lady of Good Counsel Retreat House, warmly extended an invitation to all seeking a deeper relationship with our Lord.
“The retreat house is a place of pilgrimage, prayer, and renewal for our entire diocesan community,” he emphasized. “When parishioners come here and deepen their faith, they grow as disciples of Christ and bring that renewed zeal and holiness back to their parishes.”
Established in 1963, the retreat house has grown and evolved, expanding its retreat offerings to meet the needs of weary souls. Weekend retreats, Ignatian retreats, spiritual healing and deliverance retreats, and engagements with national and local speakers have become staples. In response to the pandemic, virtual retreats were introduced, connecting with people worldwide and continuing to provide spiritual nourishment even to those at home.
The retreat house has thrived, thanks to the passionate people who give their time and talent to support its mission. Behind the scenes, a dedicated team of staff and volunteers work tirelessly to ensure that every aspect of the retreat experience runs smoothly. From the kitchen staff and maintenance crew, to the administrative team and marketing department, everyone plays a vital role in fulfilling the retreat house’s purpose. Their dedication reflects a deep belief in the transformative power of retreats and a desire to share this gift with others.
Volunteer bed maker Eileen Widhalm, a member of St. Patrick Parish in Lincoln, reflected on the impact of retreats in her own faith journeyand the joy of contributing, even in small ways, to the retreat experience of others.
“The retreat house has a very special place in my heart,” she said. “Having attended both in-person and virtual retreats helped me to continue learning and growing in my faith. Assisting with bedmaking is such a small task and is a way to give back. We have a great group of people who volunteer, and together, the job is done quickly.”
The humble task of making a bed is a key ingredient of the simple yet welcoming accommodations. The retreat house includes 50 individual guest rooms, each featuring a private bath, writing desk, and recliner, perfect for personal prayer and study. All rooms are equipped with comfortable beds and linens to ensure a restful stay.
Sarah Rohrs, retreat house office manager, shed light on the diligent care and preparation that goes into organizing each retreat. She described how the retreat house goes above and beyond, ensuring that the needs of each retreatant are met with love and compassion.
“It would be difficult to find a staff that puts more love, detail, and care into preparing for a retreat,” Rohrs said. “Our kitchen can prepare meals to accommodate any dietary restriction, our housekeepers are meticulous in preparing the private rooms, and our staff and volunteers are amazing, faith-filled people.”
Volunteer ambassadors are often the first people guests encounter when arriving at the retreat house. They welcome retreatants upon arrival, extending hospitality and relaying information regarding the many services and features offered at the retreat house.
“Our goal is to provide a place void of distractions so that, in unison with the Holy Spirit, retreatants are transformed and renewed by the love, peace, and healing that only He can give,” Rohrs added.
All retreats include Mass and Adoration of the Eucharist, meditations given by a retreat master, times of silence, prayer, and recollection, and opportunities for confession and direction. Father Coulter encouraged retreatants to simply come with an open heart and mind, ready to embrace the quiet and tranquility of our retreat house.
“Consider setting personal intentions or goals for your retreat, and bring any spiritual reading or personal items that may aid in your reflection,” he said. “Most importantly, be open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit and wisdom of the retreat master during your stay.”
Beyond the comfortable private rooms, the retreat house offers a chapel for prayer and meditation, beautiful grounds with 80 spacious acres featuring rolling hills, mature shade trees, a koi pond for quiet reflection and prayer, and a tranquil Marian Garden. The retreat house’s library offers hundreds of books to aid in the spiritual journey, and outdoor rocking chairs provide a perfect spot to enjoy nature’s beauty. A recent addition – a reliquary in the chapel containing 29 relics of saints – has been a source of inspiration for visitors.
“What sets Good Counsel Retreat House apart is the profound sense of prayer and presence one experiences here: the presence of God and of so many who have come here to pray,” Father Coulter said. “The peaceful chapel provides a sacred space for individuals to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of daily life and reconnect with their faith and God.”
Disconnecting from daily life to spend time with God is challenging yet rewarding. Shelly Chloupek, a member of St. Joseph Parish in Harvard, is a seasoned retreatant. She fondly reflected on her 13 retreats, emphasizing how the experiences provided her with purpose and rejuvenation in her life. Her story resonates with many who have found the retreat house to be a place of profound transformation and spiritual nourishment.
“My favorite retreats are the ones that took a lot of effort and planning to get to,” Chloupek said. “I would leave the retreat so refreshed, and attending made me a better teacher, mom, and wife. I wish I had gone on more retreats when I was younger, instead of waiting until my kids were grown and I thought I had more time. The time away at the retreats helped me find balance in my life.”
More than just a relaxing venue, the retreat house is a place where faith deepens, lives transform, and miracles happen. Rohrs shared stories of retreatants who have experienced healing and profound spiritual renewal during their time here. She emphasized that the retreat house’s presence is so powerful that it often brings people to tears, creating an overwhelming sense of peace and oneness with God.
“It’s always humbling to see the transformation of so many who come here,” Rohrs said. “Some come with the desire to deepen their faith, others come searching, some come wondering whether or not God really loves them. We all want to be loved and it is only through God’s grace and healing that we can come to believe this for ourselves, and that joy is evident on the faces and in the eyes of so many retreatants when they leave.”
As the retreat house continues to celebrate its 60th anniversary, Father Coulter extended a heartfelt invitation to all who are hesitant or unsure about embarking on a retreat.
“I have no doubt that your experience will be spiritually enriching and fulfilling. If you’ve considered coming on a retreat, don’t put it off any longer. God is waiting for you here, gently calling you. Come visit!”
For more information about Our Lady of Good Counsel Retreat House and upcoming retreats visit goodcounselretreat.org.
Editor's note: See the slideshow of photos from the Aug. 15 Mass on the Catholic Center grounds.
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Events celebrate 60 years of Our Lady of Good Counsel Retreat House
Come celebrate with amazement all God has done at Our Lady of Good Counsel Retreat House. Since 1963, the retreat house has served the Diocese of Lincoln as a sanctuary and experience which leads people to encounter Jesus Christ. Through inspiring retreats and warm hospitality, the retreat house seeks to transform and renew the spiritual lives of all desiring the opportunity to listen to the Holy Spirit and know the Father’s love, peace and healing. Join the celebration at upcoming special events.
CHRISTmas at the Center
Live Nativity, St. Nicholas Blessing, and Marian Caroling at the Catholic Center
Saturday, Dec. 9 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Marycrest Motherhouse, Villa Marie Home & School for Exceptional Children, and Our Lady of Good Counsel Retreat House.
Feast of Our Lady of Good Counsel
April 26, 2024: Morning Mass, followed by tea and rolls; afternoon ice cream social.
Catholic Center Open House
May 19, 2024: Visit Marycrest Motherhouse, Villa Marie Home & School for Exceptional Children, and Our Lady of Good Counsel Retreat House.
Corpus Christi Mass, Eucharistic Procession and Family Carnival
June 2, 2024: Join Bishop Conley and guest homilist Father Paul Check.
