On the weekend of Jan. 9 to 11, the 5th Annual Called To Courage (CTC) retreat was held at the Sacred Heart Center in Newton.
Forty-two Catholic men from the following local parishes in New Jersey participated: St. Kateri Tekakwitha in Sparta; St. Matthew the Apostle and Resurrection, both in Randolph; Annunciation and Our Lady of the Valley, both in Wayne; Corpus Christi in Chatham Township; and St. Mary in Wharton — all in the Paterson Diocese — as well as St Michael in Cranford in the Newark Archdiocese.
The CTC retreat theme is “Sacred Journey: Transitions and Transformation.” The theme focused on the various ways in which men share in the Paschal Mystery of Christ, dying and rising in life experiences such as growing from childhood to adulthood, transitioning through the aging process and retirement, and facing other losses and disappointments, including recovery from addictions.
During this annual retreat, men listen and speak from the heart, developing lasting friendships and support systems. This year, four laymen and Salesian Sister Theresa Kelly, director of the Sacred Heart Center, gave witness talks about their spiritual journeys of transformation.
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The retreat also featured small- and large-group discussions and several liturgical services. These services included morning prayer services, Stations of the Cross, a reconciliation service, Eucharistic adoration and Benediction, and a Sunday-morning Mass. Father Daniel Murphy, a retired priest of the Paterson Diocese and the CTC’s spiritual director, celebrated the Mass.
Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney visited the men on retreat on Saturday for lunch. Then, he listened to one of the talks, participated in a small-group discussion, was present for the reconciliation service, and heard individual confessions along with other priests. The men also had free time to spend as they wished, which included fellowship with the other men and quiet time for prayer and reflection.
The CTC retreat program originated in the various Cornerstone and Men’s retreat programs in the Paterson Diocese, which have been very successful over the years. These retreats are designed to equip men to face faith challenges, focusing on themes such as brotherhood, discipline, and living a holy Catholic life. Father Murphy and a team of laymen lead CTC, which offers a retreat experience for all men, including those from parishes without a men’s retreat ministry.
Retreat in Newton equips men for life’s faith challenges #Catholic –
On the weekend of Jan. 9 to 11, the 5th Annual Called To Courage (CTC) retreat was held at the Sacred Heart Center in Newton.
Forty-two Catholic men from the following local parishes in New Jersey participated: St. Kateri Tekakwitha in Sparta; St. Matthew the Apostle and Resurrection, both in Randolph; Annunciation and Our Lady of the Valley, both in Wayne; Corpus Christi in Chatham Township; and St. Mary in Wharton — all in the Paterson Diocese — as well as St Michael in Cranford in the Newark Archdiocese.
The CTC retreat theme is “Sacred Journey: Transitions and Transformation.” The theme focused on the various ways in which men share in the Paschal Mystery of Christ, dying and rising in life experiences such as growing from childhood to adulthood, transitioning through the aging process and retirement, and facing other losses and disappointments, including recovery from addictions.
During this annual retreat, men listen and speak from the heart, developing lasting friendships and support systems. This year, four laymen and Salesian Sister Theresa Kelly, director of the Sacred Heart Center, gave witness talks about their spiritual journeys of transformation.
Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.
The retreat also featured small- and large-group discussions and several liturgical services. These services included morning prayer services, Stations of the Cross, a reconciliation service, Eucharistic adoration and Benediction, and a Sunday-morning Mass. Father Daniel Murphy, a retired priest of the Paterson Diocese and the CTC’s spiritual director, celebrated the Mass.
Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney visited the men on retreat on Saturday for lunch. Then, he listened to one of the talks, participated in a small-group discussion, was present for the reconciliation service, and heard individual confessions along with other priests. The men also had free time to spend as they wished, which included fellowship with the other men and quiet time for prayer and reflection.
The CTC retreat program originated in the various Cornerstone and Men’s retreat programs in the Paterson Diocese, which have been very successful over the years. These retreats are designed to equip men to face faith challenges, focusing on themes such as brotherhood, discipline, and living a holy Catholic life. Father Murphy and a team of laymen lead CTC, which offers a retreat experience for all men, including those from parishes without a men’s retreat ministry.