Retreats 2016 - 2017 to light your fire!

Pro Sanctity Retreats coming up…2016-2017

1) October 14-16, 2016 - open to all

St. Benedict Center, Schuyler,Nebraska  - Three T's: St. Teresa of Avila, St. Therese, and St. Teresa of Calcutta. Msgr. Andrew Vaccari, National Spiritual Advisor for the Pro Sanctity Movement and Teresa Monaghen, AO will conduct this silent retreat, with talks, silence, and personal direction

2) November 3-6, 2016 - for women

BroomTree Retreat Center in Irene, South Dakota - Silent Directed Women's Retreat, (Thursday evening to Sunday afternoon) You may carpool from Omaha with Teresa Monaghen, AO who will be directing this retreat along with a team of priests.

3) January 13 - 15, 2017 - for women

St. Benedict Center, Schuyler, Nebraska - “I Came that They Might Have Life and Have it More Abundantly.” (John 10:10) Women's Silent Directed Retreat, Schuyler, NE - Fr. Thomas Leitner, OSB and Teresa Monaghen, AO will be leading this retreat.

4) January 20-22, 2017 – for men

St. Benedict Center, Schuyler, Nebraska - "Men, Stand Firm, For Christ Has Set Us Free" (Gal. 5:1) Men's Silent Directed Retreat, Schuyler, NE - Fr. Thomas Leitner, OSB, Br. August Schaefer, OSB and (behind the scenes female)Teresa Monaghen, AO will be leading this retreat.

Plus!!Let us know if you would like to schedule a personal retreat!

You can always make a personal, quiet day of prayer at one of our two centers: 1) Pro Sanctity Center in Elkhorn, NE or in 2) Pro Sanctity/AO Bethany in Omaha, NE. Come away for a mini a retreat with some direction if you wish. 

Write to us and we will send you more information:  psm@prosanctity.org

or teresamonaghen@gmail.com  - 402-651-9652

I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly. John 10:10

A day or weekend away is a perfect way to stay on fire for the Lord and in joyful service for the others.

www.prosanctity.net

Retreats 2016 - 2017 to light your fire!

Everyday saints
In difficult moments in history, Pope Francis said, we hear it said that “our country
needs heroes – and this is true, this is right.” But, he asked, “what does the
Church need today? It needs witnesses, martyrs”:
“These are the witnesses, that is, the saints, the saints of everyday, of ordinary life,
but life [lived with] consistency; and also the witness ‘to the end,’ even to death.
These are the life blood of the Church; these are the ones that carry the Church
forward, the witnesses, who attest that Jesus is Risen, that Jesus is alive, and they
bear witness through the consistency of their life, with the Holy Spirit they have
received as a gift.” Pope Francis
April 2016

Reflection 3-27-16 Easter Sunday

Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed

Alleluia, Alleluia,  Jesus is risen!  Sin and death have no power over us who believe. Glory and honor and praise forever to the lamb that was slain. 

Jesus, renew in us the wonder we felt when we first truly understood and believed that you died and rose again for our salvation.  Give us the courage to share with others this glorious good news! 

Reflection 3-27-16 Easter Sunday

Lenten reflection 3-26-16 Easter Vigil

Tell the Israelites to go forward.  And you, lift up your staff and, with hand outstretched over the sea, split the sea in two, that the Israelites may pass through it on dry land. 

I am choosing to reflect on the third reading of the Easter Vigil rather than the gospel.  Having had the privilege of attending the Easter Vigil Mass for the past several years, I marvel at it every time.  Starting with the act of creation itself, and continuing through all of salvation history, the vigil shows us quite literally that God has not for a moment removed His hand from the care of His people.

Lord thank you for your constant and abiding care.  May we thank and praise you forever.

To aid in your prayer, I am attaching a favorite song El Shaddai written by Michael Card, sung by Amy Grant

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lh5IxRmgcY

Lenten reflection 3-26-16 Easter Vigil

Lenten reflection 3-25-16 Good Friday

When Jesus had taken the wine, he said, “It is finished”.  And bowing his head he handed over his spirit

It is impossible in just a few words to reflect on the complete self giving of Jesus for our sins.  He spent His life teaching and healing and doing good, and in the end gave everything He had for our salvation. 

Lord, there is nothing I can do or say to merit in any way shape or form, the priceless gift of eternal life you have won for me.  Give me the grace this day just to sit quietly with tears of gratitude for  your extravagant love.  

Lenten reflection 3-25-16 Good Friday

Lenten reflection 3-24-16 Holy Thursday

If  I, therefore, the master and teacher have washed your feet, you ought to wash  one another’s feet.  I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do. 

There are not many clearer examples in all of scripture of service.  Jesus Christ, the creator of the universe, bending down to wash the disciples feet, and telling them as well as all of us to follow His example.  What does service mean to you?  It may mean doing the family’s dishes after a meal, writing a letter to a friend who needs encouragement, or serving at a soup kitchen among countless other examples.  God has given each of us unique gifts that we may serve one another in a particular way for the benefit of the Kingdom. 

Lord,  lead me to people and places that need a touch from you, that I might serve you in gladness with my words and my actions.

Lenten reflection 3-24-16 Holy Thursday

Lenten reflection 3-23-16

One of the twelve who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?”  They paid him thirty pieces of silver.

I read that thirty pieces of silver was not the price for a wealthy man, but rather what was paid for a common slave.  As I ponder this I wonder if I treat the Lord in this manner.  I know that Jesus wants to have a relationship with me and to be my friend, but sometimes I focus on this too much and fail to remember that He has the title of King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  I also know many times I ask Him to do things for me as a slave owner would.

Lord I know that you want to have a relationship with me and be my friend, but I also know  that you are the creator of the universe, and I am your servant and not the other way around.  Forgive me for the times I have failed to acknowledge this and help me to honor you as you deserve.  

Lenten reflection 3-23-16

Lenten reflection 3-22-16

Peter said to him, “Master, why can I not follow you now?  I will lay down my life for you.”  Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me?  Amen, amen, I say to you, the cock will not crow before you deny me three times.”

All of  us have denied the Lord at some point, either by overtly saying we do not know Him as Peter did, or by not speaking in His defense when others have maligned Him.  It is comforting to know that even though Peter did deny Him, Jesus still made him the head of His Church.  The mercy of God is so vast that we cannot fathom it.  Even though He knows our humanity and that we will fail, He still wants to use us to spread His message of love

Lord, thank you for this jubilee year of mercy.  Give me the courage to stand up for You, and when I fail give me the humility to ask for forgiveness.  

Lenten reflection 3-22-16

Lenten reflection 3-21-16

Mary took a liter of costly perfumed oil made from genuine aromatic nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and dried them with her hair; the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil. 

Mary knew Jesus well.  She loved Him deeply and listened closely to His teaching and felt His love for her personally.   She did this to express her love for him.  As I read these words I realize my love for him is not as lavish.  Many times I have felt his love for me and been moved to tears, but I also must acknowledge there are days when I barely speak to you at all. 

Lord, help me to realize that my love for you will only deepen if I spend more time with you, in prayer,  in your word and in the sacraments.  Remind me that I owe my very life to you, and help me to lavish you with the love you deserve.  

Lenten reflection 3-21-16