A Publication of Malvern Retreat House Prosit \proh-sit, -zit\ A Latin word praising God that means: “May it be for your benefit.” May it be for your benefit Traditionally used as a closing prayer during retreats at Malvern Retreat House. Winter - Spring 2013 It’s Our Turn | Planned Giving — a Legacy of Faith Just as their generosity and vision ensured that Steve and Mary Ford Malvern would be here for us today, many current Steve and Mary Ford, members of the Good retreatants feel that now it is their turn to help reach Shepherd Club, are one such couple who have out to ensure the future viability of Malvern for chosen to support Malvern Retreat House as generations to come. Through estate planning, they a legacy of faith through the purchase of a $1 have found a convenient way to leave a lasting legacy million life insurance policy that names Malvern of faith at Malvern, which means so much to them. as the beneficiary. They see the fruits from their time at Malvern and The Fords see their financial contribution as a way want to give back by helping others experience the to perpetuate the legacy that has been handed same benefits with which they have been blessed. on to them by the generous men and women who Members of our Good Shepherd Club (those who have supported Malvern for the past 100 years. have included Malvern Retreat House in their They want to do their part to ensure that the estate planning) have found that gifts made to next generation of men and women are able to alvern’s 100th Anniversary Celebration gave us Malvern through an estate plan allow them to partake of the spiritual benefits of a Malvern the chance to reflect on the legacy of Malvern M support Malvern in the future, while maintaining Retreat experience. Retreat House—made up not only of the buildings control of their assets and without affecting their and grounds, but of the countless retreatants whose cash flow today. And, the best part is that planned The Fords, members of St. Thomas the Apostle individual legacies combined to support Malvern for giving brings them peace of mind. There is no Parish in Chester Heights, Delaware County, us. We are the future generation they sought to help. worry with these plans, because these gifts are have been married for 39 years, and have been blessed many times over. As Steve says, “We have It is because of their legacy of faith that we reap the revocable, and can be adjusted if circumstances five children, all grown—and all employed!” benefits of Malvern Retreat House. change or if they change their mind. continued on page 3 » Accepting the Challenge |Co-Chairing the Capital Campaign By Duane and Bernadette McCarthy s great traditions abound with many Malvern Family Life Center in memory of my father and his Afamilies, the McCarthy Family, too, has a brothers and cousins who came to love Malvern legacy. My father, John and the retreat experience. P. McCarthy, Sr., came to Malvern in the mid- What Malvern Means to Us ’60s and became quickly On a personal level, Malvern is not just a collection engaged in the retreat of buildings, beautiful grounds and Shrines experience on many levels. scattered throughout the property. Malvern is an experience; it is a place that has drawn us into a Inside the Issue Dad was a member of the Finance committee for closer and deeper relationship with God. In the President’s Letter 2 many years, a CA Captain early years it was one weekend a year; today we Father Zlock! 3 and recruiter who had a great passion for Malvern. have made it a part of life. We look forward to the many events that take place throughout the year Development News 4 My brothers and I started attending retreats in the mid ’70s, along with a few of Dad’s brothers for us and our children to connect, celebrate and In the News 5 and their children. It not only became a time of find a few quiet moments to slow down and listen Behind the Scenes 6 reflection, but a family reunion in many ways. to God. One must experience Malvern to really understand this feeling. As Parents, we want so Retreat Programs 7 Fast forward 30 plus years later, and Malvern has much for our children. We want to provide a loving Women of Grace 8 grown to become an anchor in our lives and our home, have them attend great schools, and a safe Recovery Retreats 9 continued reunion of many of my cousins along environment to grow in. We buy them nice clothes, with our children today. In 2006, the McCarthy provide healthy meals (Mom does at least!) and love Retreat Listings 8, 10 Family was fortunate to come together to dedicate them the best way we know how. How often we In Memoriam 11 The McCarthy Memorial Patio and Garden at the forget how important a relationship with our Lord A Legacy of Time 11 continued on page 5 » President’s Letter Dear Retreatants: our grounds. Look for next year’s publicity for of the McShain-Horstmann Family Life Center this event. I would like to thank our Associates and the 100th Anniversary of our first retreat at The Lenten season offers us a wonderful and the very talented committee of community St. Charles Seminary (August 29th). While we opportunity to see the world in a different way. leaders who organized and hosted this event. were founded in 1912, our first retreat wasn’t John Keating, the teacher in the movie, Dead It was a great show and enlivened our grounds organized until August of 1913. Poets Society, challenged his students when he with many individuals who now know about our May you and your family have a joyous Easter said, “Just when you think you know something, many retreat offerings. you must look at it in a different way.” season and please pray for us at Malvern and As you know, we have iniatiated the public phase all our 20,000 retreatants who join us annually. John Keating [stands on his desk]: of our Capital Campaign to raise $2.5 million Why do I stand up here? Anybody? for the renovation of our oldest building, St. Prosit! Dalton: To feel taller! Joseph’s Hall. To date we have raised $1.7 John Keating: No! million in cash and pledges. We have been [Dings a bell with his foot] entrusted to strengthen this retreat ministry John Keating: Thank you for playing, and provide the facilities and strong programs James A. Fitzsimmons Mr. Dalton. I stand upon my desk to that will help facilitate the faith development of President remind myself that we must constantly our retreatants. This renovation will include an look at things in a different way. elevator, upgraded electric power, refurbished rooms and air conditioning. Many of our As we get accustomed to our surroundings retreatants can no longer make it comfortably and settle in for the long ride, we are annually Prosit to the upper floors or stay here in the hot and confronted with the well-thought-out liturgical Published three times a year muggy days of summer. These improvements seasons that challenge us to look at our faith in a will help provide a welcoming environment Francis J. Marx Sr., Chairman different way. for reflection and prayer and James A. Fitzsimmons, President I hope the practice of prayer, allow us to host additional Beth Racine, Editor fasting and almsgiving of groups in the late spring and 315 S. Warren Avenue Lent has so moved you that summer months. Please join P.O. Box 315 l Malvern, PA 19355 you have reexamined your and participate by entrusting 610-644-0400 faith and strengthened and us with a sacrificial gift [email protected] refocused your resolve to be to strengthen our retreat MalvernRetreat.com a faithful, loving vehicle for ministry and secure our future Vol 73, No. 2 Fall 2012 God’s love for all of us. I pray in this region and beyond. this Easter season, that is fast We are currently planning for approaching, will allow you to Malvern Retreat House is owned and the 50th Anniversary of the Our be more aware of God in your operated by Catholic Lay Leadership Lady of Confidence retreat on life and his unending love for since 1912, and is the largest Catholic October 8-9-10. This retreat you and all humankind. retreat house in the country. We allows us to host individuals host 20,000 people annually at 250 As you will see in this issue of Prosit, we are the with intellectual disabilities retreats on 125 acres in beautiful beneficiaries of a wonderful gift from Steve and for a full Malvern retreat. The group began with Mary Ford. I have developed a good friendship Chuck McCann, Immaculate Conception group, Chester County. We invite you to find with Steve and Mary over my nine years here at Don Joos, and now Peter Shumaker working a spiritual retreat that’s right for you. Malvern and value their commitment to their with our local institutions and the Archdiocese faith and the institutions that have nurtured of Philadelphia to identify individuals who would Reflect, Refresh and Rejoice them. Steve and Mary have joined our Good benefit from our ministry. Fifty years later we are Shepherd Society and have enabled us to secure stronger than ever with over 125 retreatants and Malvern’s financial future with their planned buddies attending.