The Beacon.Com -
April 2009
(Be sure to visit our web site at www.capemaymarianists.org for a complete
schedule, retreat photos and application)
To find out more of
what is happening in the greater Marianist Family – click here www.marianist.com/fol for Marianist
Family Online - the Province E-Newsletter.
Inside this issue:
- Director’s
Message
- 2009
Summer Family Retreat Applications – some weeks have availability
- Latino
Family Retreat – Recap & Photos
- Black
Catholic Family Retreat – Recap & Photos
- Young
Married Couples Retreat – Recap & Photos
- Upcoming
Retreats
- Empty-Nester’s
Retreat
- Volunteers
& Friends
- Woman’s
Spirituality Retreat – several spots remain
- Mid-week
Cleaning Days
- Marianist
Communities forming in Central NJ (Individuals & Families) and in
- Marriage
Moments & Parenting Pointers
- April
is Autism Awareness Month
Dear
Friends,
We
here at the
This
week our staff welcomed Jessica back after her maternity leave. We know how
difficult it is for her (and many working moms) to leave the baby while she
works, but we are so happy to have her back with us. Billy is doing fine
– growing by leaps and bounds! To see some recent photos of Billy
Sherwen – click here.
While
Jessica was away our volunteer intern, Micah Ziemski, really filled the void.
As Brother Ray McQuade was fond of saying – it was truly Providential to
have Micah here with us when Jess was away. She assumed all of the Program
responsibilities and executed them with the “know-how” of a person
far past her 21 years.
I
also would like to thank Bro. Tom Redmond, who came to help while Jess was
away. We wish Tom well as he heads back to
Finally,
on a very sad note I want to let you know that after a long battle with cancer,
our dear friend Barbara Daniel passed away on March 4th. As many of
you may know, Barbara was a steadfast supporter of our ministry – both as
a participant and as a volunteer. Her good humor, dedication and spirit will
be missed by us all. Barbara was just 63 years old.
Beginning April 1st we are now accepting
2009 Summer Family Retreat Applications from families who have been here
consecutive summers!
For
an application click here.
Weeks that have openings are:
Week
#1: June 22-27 (several openings)
Week
#3: July 6-11 (several openings)
Week
#4: July 13-18 Single-Parent Family Retreat (several openings)
Week
#6: July 27-August 1 Special
“Transitional Family” Week* (several openings)
Latino Family Retreat Recap & Photos
Once
again, we had a packed house for the Latino Family weekend retreat! We learned
many new songs, dances, games, and prayers – all in Spanish of course,
while discovering how to tend our family gardens and grow in Christ. Other
highlights of the weekend were an evening Saturday mass, a family ice cream social,
and many talented singers. It was a blast!
To
see photos from this retreat click here.
Black Catholic Family Retreat Recap &
Photos
We
also had a very successful Black Catholic Family Retreat at the Center in
March. Families gathered to celebrate and “Discover
the Way” with one another in discussion and laughter, while
deepening their spirituality through their culture. There were great
presentations given by family members, as well as music, food, and fun.
To
see photos from this retreat click here.
A Retreat for Young Married Couples
Recap & Photos
Nine
young married couples joined us for this year’s retreat and it was a good
one! The theme this year centered on the marriage vows. Each presentation
focused on a different aspect of the vows. “…for better or for
worse, in sickness and in health…” It was a powerful experience.
New friendships were made and old friendships rekindled. One of the highlights
was a celebratory dinner after the renewal of our own wedding vows. The staff
did a wonderful job with this retreat: Mike & Annette Wasno, Ed & Ellen
Michonski, and John & Lori Fracek.
To
see photos from this retreat click here.
Upcoming
Retreats & Critical Dates
To print an application please click here.
***Financial Aid is available – please do not let the cost of a
retreat be the obstacle that prevents you from joining us...***
Empty
Nesters Retreat
April 24-26, 2009
Kids Are Grown (more or less), Retirement is and Option (maybe), How
Can I/we Make a Difference?
This weekend will provide an opportunity to reflect and pray about where we go
in a community setting. We will look at our journey so far, at the social
gospel and the signs of the times in which we live. We will explore
realistic options that people have taken and could take to use time talent and
treasure to make a difference in our communities, the world and in our lives.
There will be and opportunity for presentations, prayer, reflection
and discussion. As a part of the weekend we hope to create an opportunity
to share after the weekend on some kind of a Goggle site.
Presenters:
the
two children ages 21 and 23.
Marguerite
concerns.
Cost: $110 per person
Volunteer
& Friends
Consider spending the Memorial Day weekend with us! Once again
we’re inviting past volunteers and friends (you must be at least 18 if you plan on coming without parent/guardian)
of the Center to come and relax for the weekend. There is no set program so
you are free to do as you wish.
Then on
May 23rd (rain date 24th) the Center in conjunction with Catholic Relief Services (CRS) will be
sponsoring a Fair Trade Sale.
We will be offering high quality,
fairly traded handcrafts and gourmet food items from low-income producers all
over the world.
The people who produce these items
earn a fair wage, have access to credit and training, and maintain long-term
relationships rooted in the principles of human dignity and economic
justice.
Cost is $80 per person
***SEVERAL OPENINGS REMAIN***
Women’s
Spirituality Retreat #2 – May 29-31
Join with other women
in a creative exploration of your own story and stories of women in faith. Come
alone, or with a relative or friend. A team of Marianist women have prepared
this weekend of rest and renewal. Eucharist, other prayer experiences, socials
and fun are included.
The cost for this
retreat is $115.
Mid-Week Cleaning Days – June 15-19
Come for all or part
of the week to help us get the Center ready for our nine week Summer Family
Retreat Program. We will be cleaning in the mornings with most of the
afternoons free. So clean for a few hours and then enjoy the beach or go for a
bike ride!
There is no charge
for these days. We will have “pick-up” breakfasts and dinners are on your own.
Marianist Community Forming in
A
Marianist Community in
Marianist Young Adults of
Last
month, a few of our young adults gathered in an attempt to build a local faith
community. They will be holding meetings
every third Sunday of the month in Fishtown at the
They
will meet the evening of the 19th this month for prayer, dinner and social. Please contact Alison Cawley cawleyaz@notes.udayton.edu if you
would like to join—all are welcome!
Marriage Moments and Parenting Pointers
Contributed by Susan Vogt, www.SusanVogt.net
It's so tempting when another insults or hurts you to reply
in kind. Tempting, but not helpful to your marriage. It may seem
counter-intuitive to suck it up, but it's not a new idea. Consider the
scripture "Do not return evil for evil, or insult for insult."
(1Peter 3:9)
On Parenting…
Check
in with a relative you haven't talked with for awhile. Whether by phone, mail,
e-mail, or Skype, let your child be part of the conversation. Hopefully you'll
be on the receiving end of such mindfulness when your child is an adult.
April is Autism
Awareness Month – please say a special prayer for those with autism and
the families who care for them.
From a Child -
Jesus,
Thank you
That you are there for me
There are many things I'd like to do better-
Like speaking and writing.
I ask you to help me.
You have already helped me in many ways.
Sometimes I see the world in pictures -
I like to draw, to watch TV.
I like to do many more things,
Which I can't do.
So please lay your hands on me
And bless me.
Be with me Lord Jesus
At home and in school.
Thank you for my parents, my family,
My teachers and support workers
And all those who are helping me.
Thank you Jesus, Amen.
Blessings to All!
The
Cape May Point
Anthony Fucci
Center Director
609-884-3829
609-884-0545 (Fax)
www.capemaymarianists.org