by Lucia Ferrara, Hospitality Coordinator
Greetings Everyone! The grass is starting to turn green and little buds on trees and flowers are starting to bloom. Just a few signs that spring is trying to pop its way through! Many events have been popping up here at the Center as well. We have hosted many groups including the Beginning Experience Weekend Retreat. The structure of this weekend program is to help grieving persons from the darkness of grief into the journey of a new, brighter beginning. They come here for a time of reconciliation and renewal. Many groups have also held their meetings here like the LGBT Committee and the Northern Deanery. Pax Christi holds their meeting here monthly. Pax Christi is a Catholic Peace movement that involves dialogue and action to promote peace in our torn and divided world. Please come join them every first Sunday of the month here at the Center at 2pm.
We had a quite a few people who came to the Into the Light program featuring Art Journaling as a Spiritual Practice. They learned to use color and visual images rather than words to reflect on God’s presence in their daily life. Fr. Ron Will C.P.P.S. led a Lenten day of Prayer on March 10th entitled “Your own Contemplative Walk with Jesus through His Passion”. Participants spent the day experiencing God’s presence through prayer, song, contemplation and scripture. They ended the day with Mass.
Folks joined us for a simple soup dinner for Growing in Awareness of Celtic Spirituality which was presented by Sr. Therese Elias, OSB in March. This evening was learning about how Celtic Spirituality is an inheritance of everyone and reflection on the tradition of searching for God’s presence in our daily lives. As nature continually renews itself so do we as humans in everyday life. The Spring Equinox Celebration reflected upon this topic through prayer, reflection and a walk to the Labyrinth the evening of March 20th. This celebration of new life was led by Fr. Garry Richmeier C.P.P.S.
The Diocesan Youth Ministries leaders held their retreat day here at the Center which included Mass and lunch. This was a wonderful day for team building and reflection for the youth leaders of the Diocese. Fr. Timothy Armbruster C.P.P.S. led the St. James 5th grade retreat here at the Center. The day was filled with a variety of activities including Mass, prayer, and song. This provided students with a safe place to grow in their faith while having fun together. Eight graders from Sacred Heart School in Sedalia, MO retreated here for their yearly 4-day Mission Trip. The eight graders spent their time enriching their faith, engaging their spirit and serving the community in the Greater Kansas City area. These youngsters were led by Debbie Bolin, a Precious Blood Companion and Fr. Tim Armbruster C.P.P.S.
Family Promise of the Northland joined us along with Annunciation Parish in Kearney, volunteers, for a week of hosting homeless families in their time of transition. Together with Family Promise and Annunciation we help provide food, shelter, and support services to help the families back into a position of self-suffiency. It makes my heart full when I see the children come to the Center for the first time! Their eyes are open wide and full of excitement that this will be their home for the next week. The parents are always so thankful for the many blessings that is poured out from everyone working together.
Progress continues the Precious Blood Renewal Center renovation project. Demolition is complete, and a building permit has been obtained from the city of Liberty. The section of the building that is new construction will begin to set trusses for the roof and building enclosure. At this point, no changes have been made on the completion date of October 1st. If you or someone you know is seeking rest, renewal, reconciliation or spiritual direction please contact Lucia Ferrara, Hospitality Coordinator at 816-781-4344.
