Retreat Schedule

10 AM  Arrival. Light breakfast foods will be served.

10:30  Session One:

Opening Prayer and retreat overview.

Personal Reflections on characteristics of a saint. 

Large group discussion:  How the Church defines saints and brief summary of the canonization process, reflection      on our own call to holiness and practical applications to help us become "ordinary saints" who live this call in our daily lives.

We will share a litany of the Saints before some quiet prayer and reflection time.

Brief discussion of questions and insights.

12:00  Lunch.

1:00  Session Two:

Large group discussion: focus on characteristics displayed in the lives of the 4 saints of focus - St. Therese of Lisieux, St. Faustina, St. Maximilian Kolbe and St. Pio - and how we can cultivate them in our own lives:

1.  Encounters with and overcoming the devil and evil.

2.  Consecration to/trust in the protection and intercession of the Blessed Mother.

3.  Humility/Obedience.

4.  Drawing strength from the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and Adoration and Reception of the Most Holy Eucharist.

5.  Trust in and Total Surrender to God.

6.  Longing for Heaven/Eternal Life.

We will pray an abridged version of the Chaplet of Saint Michael before more quiet prayer and reflection time.

Revisit personal Reflections on characteristics of a saint and share questions and insights about the day.

Closing Prayer.

4:00 Departure.

Branches is an outdoor facility.  Our pavilion provides shelter from light rain, but if the forecast states a storm with strong winds, we will relocate to Mary Mother of Mercy Parish, 7231 Main St., Ovid, NY 14521.  You will receive a phone call if we need to relocate.  Thank you.