Hello Friends,

Last week I went to the Diocese of Massachusetts Pre-Lenten Clergy Retreat.  It was around 2 days spent at the Notre Dame convent in Ipswich, MA (click here).  Upon arriving, I discovered 3 things, no cell phone service (gasp), terrible Wifi (double gasp), and that the retreat was SILENT (triple GASP!).  Now, it may have been noted in the sign up that it was silent, but other newcomers were also surprised.  However, in the end, it was a good thing.

Not having cell service and only having  poor internet was also a good thing, except I didn’t know that I wouldn’t be able to call my husband, which started hours of me trying to at least a text to him to tell him that I couldn’t call.  It was also a problem when I realized that I made a big mistake in the bulletin and couldn’t call my admin to tell her, but, you know, it was great to be disconnected.  Technology in and of itself isn’t a bad thing, but our obsession with it can be.  So a day or so without talking, phones, and internet was just what I needed to get ready for Lent.

The speaker taught us about how art and poetry link to Scripture, and we even wrote our own poems and created some art (even though my art is at the level of a 2nd grader).  Overall it was a great retreat, of course Fr. Kenny was there too!

Kenny and Fern check out the view from our room.

Kenny filled in on piano.

Waiting for the speaker to begin.

My artistic rendering of Psalm 95.

I did a lot of exploring around the grounds and found a lot of depictions of St. Julie of Billiart The founder of the Sister of Notre Dame de Nemur (click here for more info).  She promoted the idea that God is indeed good.  I can get on board with that.

St. Julie teaches a child.

St. Julie and the Virgin Mary

Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you are enjoying a holy Lent!

~Rev. Lauren