Cecilia is writing again this month for Tim and Cecilia.
Tim and I just returned from a 8 day silent retreat. It was the longest time that I have been on a retreat. Perhaps that is true for Tim also. It was a directed retreat which was also new for me. We met individually once each day with a director who talked with us about how the day was going and gave us scripture readings to consider until the next day. There was Mass daily.
The setting of the retreat was fantastic. It was near Durban, South Africa, on the Indian Ocean. The house was on a bluff overlooking the ocean and it took about five minutes to walk to the public beach. I did walk there every day and used that setting for meditating. I was also fortunate to have a bedroom with a window on the ocean side, so I could watch the waves and hear the water noises day and night. Truly awesome!
Besides the beauty of the ocean, there were also gardens in the front and back yard of the retreat house. Sometimes there were visiting monkeys in the yards. But there was always the beauty of flowers since the temperature is warmer than Johannesburg even though it is winter now.
We returned to work on Monday, and it was great to be told by both patients and staff that we were missed while we were gone.
Breath-taking. Thank you for the beautiful description. I am so glad you and Tim were able to make this retreat and hope it was truly refreshing. May God continue to strengthen you in your ministry-as you all transition with all the changes at St. Francis Care Center.
ReplyDeleteTim and Cecilia,
ReplyDeleteThe retreat sounds wonderful. I took a 7-day silent retreat once and it was memorable as well. I really enjoy reading your blogs: keep sending us news! I wish you strength as you face the daily challenges of work. Know that we are all thinking about you.
By way of introduction, I am new to the FMS office and look forward to being in touch with you again soon. Christine