CLINTON — “Repairing God’s House” is the theme for the 2009 Lenten weekend retreat Feb. 27-March 1 at The Canticle, home of the Clinton Franciscans, 841 13th Ave. N., Clinton. The retreat begins at 7 p.m. Feb. 27 and ends following the 12:30 p.m. Mass on March 1.
“Transforming God’s Dwelling Place — the sanctuary of the heart” will be the text of the retreat that will be led by Clinton Franciscan Sister Mary Smith, retreat minister and spiritual director.
“‘Repairing God’s House’ offers the opportunity to ask the deep questions around ‘re-building’ in the peaceful, nurturing atmosphere of The Canticle,” explained Sr. Mary, former president of the Clinton Franciscans who recently returned to Clinton from Portland, Ore., where she had founded and operated The Hearth, a private retreat ministry, for seven years.
“Lent draws us home into the sanctuary of the heart, ‘God’s Dwelling Place,’ ” she stated. “It is there that we hear the invitation to be about ‘Repairing God’s House,’ as did Francis and Clare over 800 years ago. The question is, ‘How do we listen and respond to this invitation?’ Will we dare look at inner and outer resistances that keep us from recognizing our own goodness? Can we open ourselves to the joy of sharing our goodness in God’s work?”
Registration and details about the retreat are available on the Sisters of St. Francis Web site, www.clintonfranciscans.com, or by calling (563) 242-7611.
“We realize that not everyone will be able to make a full weekend retreat,” said Sr. Mary. “We are happy to make arrangements that will accommodate individual schedules.”
