Men of all faiths invited to Holy Week retreat in Buffalo
Christ the King Retreat Center in Buffalo, 26 miles west of the Twin Cities, invites men to participate in its Men's Holy Week Retreat next week.
The retreat's theme will be "Watch and Pray," and men of all faiths are welcome.
Father Mark Dean will conduct the retreat, with the assistance of King's House staff. According to a retreat center news release, Dean is well known to retreatants at King's House.
"A great view of the lake is the main design philosophy of the retreat center. The Garden Court is a peaceful area to relax while listening to the fountain and enjoying the view of the lake."
"He was on the preaching staff for three years as a very popular retreat master, spiritual director and counselor," said Father Al Svobodny. "In July of 2001 he was assigned to the oblate formation staff for the Sexton House of Studies in San Antonio, Texas. He has previously served in parish, prison, in student and retreat ministries, and spent nine years of mission work in Sweden.
"Father Mark Dean is an avid reader and excellent preacher. He brings many gifts to the retreat ministry. He paints icons as a special vocation. He loves people, music and his oblate vocation. While he is only half Irish, you will find out that he has kissed the Blarney Stone."
Svobodny "is the friendly face who greets our retreatants upon their arrival to Christ the King Retreat Center," according to a mini biography of Svobodny on the retreat center's Web site. "Father Al is also the one to send them home with a joke to lighten the heart and is the backbone to Christ the King's hospitality and public relations ministry."
What Dean, Svobodny and assisting staff will offer the men who participate in the Holy Week retreat is heavily based on the historic incident among Jesus and his disciples that took place at the garden of Gethsemane the night before Jesus died. At that time, Jesus told his disciples, "Stay here and watch with me. Watch and pray."
"We invite you during Holy Week to come aside with Jesus to watch and pray from Wednesday evening until mid-day of Holy Saturday," beckons this men's retreat brochure. "Additional quiet time will be given to our retreatants to be with Jesus in reflection and solitude during this sacred time.
"In silence, contemplation and liturgy, we will observe the Tridium -- the three sacred days of Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday."
Retreat participants will receive an overview of the "Holy Tridium," and take part in Holy Thursday liturgy, Good Friday services and conferences on "Symbols of the Easter Vigil" and "How do we Live Easter?"
The retreat will also include prayer services, conferences by Dean, celebration of the Eucharist, the sacrament of reconciliation, the stations of the cross, scriptural rosary and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. And quiet time.
The center sits on a bluff overlooking Buffalo Lake.
"Its tree-covered grounds provide a sacred place for meditation and quiet time," the center's Web site says. "Legend has it that the area was occupied by Native Americans who called the place Dabinawa, meaning a sheltered, quiet place. Christ the King Retreat Center has provided such an atmosphere of peace and solitude since 1952.
"A great view of the lake is the main design philosophy of the retreat center. The Garden Court is a peaceful area to relax while listening to the fountain and enjoying the view of the lake."
Images of this lovely, peaceful and aesthetically impressive retreat place are viewable on the retreat center's Web site, at www.kingshouse.com.
"Come to the water" the site invites potential retreat participants.
The retreat center conducted a major renovation recently, which included the design and construction of a new drive-up entrance, an additional large conference room, a new residence hall and updated accommodations for retreatants and visitors with physical limitations.
The retreat center is a ministry of The Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, a Catholic religious community of priests and brothers who have served the retreat house since 1952.
Private and directed retreats are available throughout the year at King's House. Men's retreats will be held in August, September, November and December. Women's retreats are scheduled for April, May, June, July, September and October.
Other retreats still to come in 2002 include a parish secretaries retreat in April; a "bridal love retreat" in May; a Catholic singles retreat May 31 to June 2; two "Sister's Inter-Community" retreats in June; a married couples retreat in July; a "Father Matt Linn's Healing Retreat" in July; and a retreat for those divorced or separated scheduled in August. Both a "Father Larry Gillick's Retreat" and a 12-step serenity retreat will be held in the fall.
Christ the King Retreat Center is at 621 S. First Ave. in Buffalo. Staff can be reached by calling (763) 682-1394 or 682-3453, or through e-mail at christtheking@ kinghouse.com.
The Men's Holy Week Retreat begins March 27, with registration at 7 p.m. Departure will be 12:45 p.m. March 30. The suggested offering for the retreat is $150. A $25 non-refundable deposit is required to reserve a space. Contact the center as soon as possible to register.