Guest column by Amanda Weeder
Marketing/Ministry Coordinator
Our Lady of Good Counsel Retreat House
In a world that never seems to stop spinning, moments of quiet can feel nearly impossible to find. Between meetings, carpools, family responsibilities, and parish activities, life moves fast, and our souls can grow weary. Yet, amid the noise, the need for rest and renewal remains constant.
That’s why Our Lady of Good Counsel Retreat House in Waverly invites everyone to make time for God—at least once a year. A retreat isn’t a luxury for the few. It’s a lifeline for every Christian seeking peace, clarity, and deeper connection with the Lord.
Each year, hundreds of retreatants travel to Good Counsel to step away from the busyness of life. In the stillness, they rediscover the simple truth that God speaks most clearly when we slow down enough to listen.
Why does a yearly retreat matter? To reconnect: Life’s routines can pull our attention away from what matters most. A retreat provides space to remember who we are and Whose we are, resting again in the love of God.
To be still: Silence is not emptiness; it’s an invitation. In a culture that thrives on noise and distraction, a day of quiet prayer allows the heart to breathe again. The Retreat House’s Desert Days—single-day opportunities for reflection and silence—make this sacred pause possible even for those with demanding schedules.
To grow stronger inside: A strong spiritual life is the steady foundation for everything else. Retreats nurture that interior strength, helping people return to daily life with greater peace, purpose, and spiritual clarity.
To return renewed: A retreat doesn’t remove you from the world; it sends you back to it—renewed, refreshed, and more aware of God’s presence in each moment.
To inspire others: When one person chooses to make time for God, it creates a ripple effect of grace. A prayerful heart can quietly transform a family, a parish, or even a workplace.
For many, the idea of setting aside a full weekend feels impossible. That’s why the Retreat House offers Desert Days—one-day retreats of silence, prayer, and rest—designed for anyone needing spiritual renewal without the commitment of overnight travel.
Some upcoming Desert Day dates to consider as you plan next year are Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, the Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children; Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, Ash Wednesday; Tuesday, March 17, 2026, St. Patrick/St. Joseph; Friday, April 24, 2026, Our Lady of Good Counsel; Wednesday, May 13, 2026, Our Lady of Fatima.
Longer weekend retreats, such as Ignatian retreats, are also available throughout the year for those seeking deeper reflection.
The world will always demand your time and energy, but your soul deserves more than constant motion. Whether for a single day or a full weekend, making time for God is one of the most fruitful decisions you can make.
To learn more or to register for an upcoming retreat or Desert Day, visit www.goodcounselretreat.org.
At Our Lady of Good Counsel Retreat House, we invite you to rediscover the peace your heart longs for. Let us help you find God once again in the silence, in the stillness, in the beauty of retreat. Come away and rest a while. Find your spiritual home at Our Lady of Good Counsel Retreat House, where silence becomes sacred and God’s voice becomes clear.
