b'the Marianists host retreats for couples, Spanish-PHOTO: LISA QUINONESspeaking families, families in transitional housingand specialized retreats for teens, young adults,men, women, widows and more. The summer family program, however, is thefoundation of this ministry and everything we do,says Anthony. Every retreat throughout the rest ofthe year is modeled after this program, especiallythe community-building elements. Although the theme changes each year, the pro-grams format is modeled on the spiritual exercisesof St. Ignatius of Loyola, inspiring participants to reflect on Christs life and to live in harmony withGod and creation. By design, the retreat helps parentsand children open up lines of communication to talkabout personal family issues, with special emphasison communication, forgiveness and affirmation.Leo Motter and his son, Luke, enjoy beach time. The goal is to help families be relaxed, renewed andre-energized to go back home with a fresh commitmentBut the main reason families keep coming back to living their faith, says Jessica. Its hard raising ayear after year, generation after generation, is the family. And its been that way for 50 years! community they discover while on retreat. Helpingfolks become part of our Marianist retreat family when Holy groundPHOTO: ALEKS MORYAKOVthey are here is crucial, says Jessica. The time they Like much of the country, the spend getting to know other familiesyounger kids retreat center closed in March playing together, the teens hanging out together, the due to the coronavirus pandemic.parents washing dishes togetherthose moments It reopened in late June to hostcreate openings where bonds of friendship are created. family retreats with a limited num-As a staff, our job is to set the stage and let the ber of people and guided by socialretreat unfold, says Jessica. Its often these unscripted distancing and health mandates.moments when deep conversations create openings It went amazingly well, saysfor the Holy Spirit to appear. The families catch the Anthony. People were so adapt-power of those moments, and they want more.able, and no one complained. Theywere simply happy to be here. Putting people at ease One single mom told me, I dontThe retreat center, located on the southern tip of the know what I would do withoutNew Jersey coastlineone block from the Atlantic this place.Oceanis an idyllic setting. In the early 1960s, the Anthony knows what sheMarianists bought a Victorian summer cottage, built means. There are not a lot ofin 1874 by Cape May founder John Wanamaker, and places like the Marianist Familyconverted its 30 rooms into a retreat facility. The build- Retreat Center. This is holying has a charm of its own.ground, he says. Its a place for families to live the Jennifer Noriega delights There is something about the look and feel of the way God intended without societal pressures. Its a in a walk on the beach with place, says Anthony. People are at ease here, and place where you can tell your family members how her daughters.thats what we want. you feel about them, what they mean to you andTwenty-eight families attended the first retreats how much you love them. Families know the poweroffered in 1970. Since then, an average of 75 families of those moments, and its why, after 50 years, soparticipate each year. Throughout the rest of the year, many faithfully find their way back to us.The Marianist Family Retreat Center will celebrate its 50th anniversary Nov. 13-15, 2020.For more information about the celebration and upcoming retreats, go to capemaymarianists.org.marianist.com/donate 11'