Retreats Offered

Reflections on the connection between the Passover, the manna from heaven, the Bread of the Presence and the Eucharist. Also, discussion on the Mass and the Eucharist as the continued presence and sacrifice of and communion with Jesus. The first half of the retreat is based on the work of Dr. Brant Pitre's Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist. The second half of the retreat is based on the work of Dr. Lawrence Feingold's The Eucharist: Mystery of Presence, Sacrifice, and Communion.

This retreat focuses on Jesus Christ, our Redeemer. Who is Jesus? What was His mission? Why did Jesus become man? How did He save us? All of these questions, and more, are discussed and reflected on in this retreat that is ideal for anytime during the Church year and also for OCIA classes because, honestly, do we really think we can effectively communicate the identity and mission of our Savior in a one-hour class on Wednesday evening or Sunday afternoon? The mysteries of the Incarnation, the life, miracles, and teachings of Jesus, and the Passion, death, Resurrection, and Ascension of our Lord are made clear in a way that anyone can comprehend, as well as what it means to be a disciple of Jesus and what it means for us that Jesus will be our Judge.

Focusing on the first two chapters each of Matthew and then Luke, this retreat breaks open the Scriptures to consider the deeper, theological meaning of the Infancy Narratives. Familiar characters, such as Elizabeth, Herod, the magi and shepherds and, of course, Mary and Joseph, and events such as the birth of the Baptist, the Nativity, and the massacre of the Holy Innocents are viewed with a more profound understanding than that offered by the reducing of the Christmas story to a children's tale. This retreat would also be appropriate for the Christmas season.

This retreat includes reflection on the sacrifice Christ offered for our salvation while commenting on the Suffering Servant Song of Isaiah 52-53, the early Christian hymn in Philippians 2, and the Passion Narrative of the Gospel for that year (Matthew, John, or Luke). The retreat includes discussion of St. Anselm of Canterbury's soteriology as found in his classic work Why God Became Man, offered in a way that the people in the pews can appreciate.

In this retreat, Deacon Bob offers reflection and commentary on the Resurrection Narratives of each of the four Gospels. Each Gospel is considered separately, but details that are unique to each are discussed, as well as details that are similar to all. The goal of this retreat is to better grasp and appreciate the magnificent miracle of the Resurrection of our Lord as an event that took place in history but also transcends history, and the promise it holds for eternal life for every believer.

The Tribulation? The Rapture? The Antichrist? Pre- or Post-Millennialism? Living in the South, it's easy to get caught up in the perspective on the Book of Revelation held by our Evangelical brethren. This retreat offers an in-depth look at the Book of Revelation from a Catholic perspective, one that reads the book as a word of encouragement and victory to the Church of all ages rather than a warning of imminent last days and doom.

An introduction to the third Gospel, written by Luke, a companion and fellow traveler with St. Paul. From the Infancy Narrative to the Road to Emmaus and the Ascension, Luke is the favorite Gospel of many Catholics, with his emphasis on Jesus' concern for the poor and for women. This retreat takes a deep dive into the Gospel of the physician who, though not an eyewitness to our Lord's earthly ministry, nevertheless became a disciple of Jesus, and then an Evangelist. (I will be developing retreats that introduce the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and John, as well.)

The Good Samaritan. The Prodigal Son. The Rich Man and Lazarus. The Pharisee and the Tax Collector. These are some of the most well-known and beloved of Jesus' parables. They are also unique to the Gospel According to Luke. This retreat looks at the parables found in Luke, both unique to his Gospel and shared with others, and reflects on the lessons to be found in each.

This power point retreat considers the evidence for the existence of God from natural reason. Arguments for God from some of the Church's greatest theologians and philosophers are considered, including St. Augustine of Hippo, St. Anselm of Canterbury, St. Thomas Aquinas, St. John Henry Newman and others. Also, discusses why atheism is irrational.

This power point retreat offers men reflections on their unique role and responsibilities as Catholic fathers, whether they're grandfathers, fathers of young children or old, or even if they have no children yet but desire to prepare for when that day arrives. Topics include: The Fatherhood of God, the Fatherhood of the Saints, The Domestic Church, and practical ideas on being a father for your Catholic family.

Just as it says, this retreat offers the foundations for Catholic Morality: the intrinsic dignity of the human person, the social nature of human life, subsidiarity, and others. Then there is discussion on how these moral principles apply to some of the tough issues of contemporary life: abortion, capital punishment, war, poverty, homosexuality, gender ideology, euthanasia, and others. The goal is to not only make clear what the Church teaches on these moral issues, but why the Church teaches what she does.