This past weekend we were very blessed to do an Entering Canaan Mercy Retreat for the Diocese of Newark. Each Entering Canaan Retreat is Eucharistic Centered integrating conferences on continued healing from abortion with our spiritual growth. We have been traveling to many places offering our Mercy retreats, which focus on continued healing, for those who do abortion ministry, as well as those in recovery who do the Entering Canaan model.
We were very blessed this past weekend to have Fr Francis Mary, CFR Novice Director of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal as our spiritual director for the retreat, as well as Michael Corsini, musician and artist, providing music. Michael is also on the Advisory Board of Entering Canaan and has been working with us for many years.
Each conference throughout the retreat consists of talks by both a woman and the retreat director focusing on some aspect of healing and growing into a deeper relationship with God. We recognize and encourage the importance of continued healing and relationship with Mercy Himself who is the only one who can heal.
As you can see from the pictures, the scene changes before the altar. One image is displayed Friday until sometimes Sunday morning. We have adoration throughout the retreat and I change the image during the night on Saturday. When I changed this image I had to move the clothe which had stones all over it depicting the journey of Mary and Joseph displayed in the first painting. As I moved the clothe and went to put in the second image of the nativity, I noticed a perfect cross had been formed by the stones with no help from me! A reminder of the tremendous act of Mercy Jesus would undergo for us. It was very beautiful.
I continually thank Jesus and Mary for the gift of this ministry and HIs Presence to us in the Eucharist.
Entering Canaan retreats are sponsored by Lumina/Hope & Healing after Abortion in the tri state area.
