High Tidings

E-news from the Marianist Family Ministry
CFL Family Retreat Center

July 2005 Vol. 2 Issue 6

COME TO TOPSAIL BEACH THIS SUMMER!
While most of the summer family retreats are full, some space remains for several of the weeks:

• The week of July 17 is now a regular family week. It had been reserved for a special program that has been cancelled. Several rooms are available for this retreat.
  
• There are also a few rooms available for the last two regular family retreat weeks for the summer, August 21 and August 28.
  
• The week of July 31, a special week for families who have participated in at least two previous CFL retreats and who wish to deepen their commitment to family life and service, also has a few rooms available.
  
• Space is also available for the family retreat weeks in the early fall, the weeks of September 11 and October 2. These weeks are designed for families who home school or who have younger children.

The theme for this year’s family retreat weeks is “God the Builder.” You can let God help you construct sturdier family lives – and have loads of fun at the same time – by coming on one of these retreats. For more information, please contact the center at (910) 328-1584 or by e-mail at cflcenter@charterinternet.com.

SPIRITUALITY FOR MEN AND WOMEN – IN THE FALL
There will be two special retreats weekends for adults this fall. Spirituality for Men will be Sept. 30 to Oct. 2. This retreat will be lead by the Marianist Community of Topsail Island. Spirituality for Women will be Oct. 7 to 9. It will be lead by Carol Weiss and other lay and religious Marianists. Each retreat will start with dinner at 6:00 p.m. on Friday evening and conclude after lunch early on Sunday afternoon. The retreats will feature Eucharists, presentations, time for individual reflection and recreation, and opportunities for small group sharing. For more information, please contact the center at (910) 328-1584 or by e-mail at cflcenter@charterinternet.com.

CFL GIFT CERTIFICATES ARE NOW AVAILABLE
For birthdays, weddings and other important events, consider giving that special individual or family a unique present – a gift certificate to the CFL Family Retreat Center. Gift certificates are available in any amount and are good for three years. To purchase a certificate, please contact the center at (910) 328-1584 or by e-mail at cflcenter@charterinternet.com.

THANK YOU, SUE RIDER!
After 28 years, Sue Rider has finally stepped down as the kitchen coordinator of the Christian Family Living Center. Sue is still a wonderful presence at the center – lending a hand to prepare a meal or help with clean-up, lending an ear to listen, and sharing most generously her lovely mind with advice and counsel. She is using her extra time to be with her grandchildren. Words cannot adequately express the gratitude the center owes Sue for her dedication and extraordinary work. Thank you, Sue!

CFL IN EGYPT NEEDS YOUR HELP
Maryknoll Father Doug May, a long-time summer family retreat spiritual director, is sponsoring a CFL weekend in Cairo, Egypt, this fall, and is looking for a couple or a few individuals who are experienced CFL-ers to staff the retreat. The retreat will begin Thursday evening October 20 and conclude on Saturday evening October 22. The theme of the retreat will be the same as the 2004 summer retreats, “Family Peace: Can you dig it?” While Fr. Doug is not able to pay for travel expenses, he is able to cover room and board at the retreat facility for up to two weeks. Interested parties can contact Fr. Doug directly at dougmae@hotmail.com.

“TOPICS AT TOPSAIL” – YOUNG ADULT SUMMER WEEKENDS AT CFL
The Young Adult Ministry office of the Diocese of Raleigh is sponsoring two weekend retreats at CFL this summer for people in their 20s and 30s . “Being an Adult Child: Finding Your Way” is the theme of the July 15 to 17 weekend. “Why do Catholics do that?” is the theme of the August 4 to 6 weekend. For more information, please contact the diocese at register@raldioc.org.

SPRING APPEAL IS OFF TO A SUCCESSFUL START
With more than 60 donors contributing almost $9,000, Marianist Family Ministry’s spring appeal is off to a fine start. There is still time to contribute if you have not yet had the opportunity to do so. You can donate on-line at www.christianfamilyliving.org/Donate.htm or mail a check to Marianist Family Ministry, 2006 Wicker Street, North Topsail Beach, NC 28460. Donations can be designated to help us complete the renovations on CFL’s middle building or for any other need a donor wishes to address.

PLEASE PRAY FOR . . .
. . . the soul of Ed Lally, long-time supporter of CFL, who passed away on May 24.
. . . the soul of Mary Wood Thompson DiCostanzo, the mother of former CFL director Joe DiConstanzo, who passed away on June 25.

(Please telephone the center at (910) 328-1584 or e-mail prayer requests and other items for High Tidings to cflcenter@charterinternet.com.)

High Tidings is edited by Ed DeBerri, CFL Center director.
To unsubscribe, please e-mail cflcenter@charterinternet.com.