Saint Paul of the Cross Passionist Retreat Center Newsletter Summer / Fall 2017 The Gifts of Pentecost Dear Friends of the Retreat Center, With the coming of the Holy Spirit, the first followers of Jesus experienced an Retreat Staff: extraordinary outpouring of gifts that has continued to bless our faith community to Retreat Director Fr. Gerald Laba, C.P. this day. As we begin a new retreat Retreat Team: Br. Leo DiFiore, C.P. Winterseason, / Spring I want / toSummer invite you 2017 to think about Fr. Patrick Geinzer, C.P. how these gifts are meant to form us in Fr. Mike Salvagna, C.P. the spirit that Jesus calls us to live. As Fr. Joe Sedley, C.P. Dear Friends, Fr. Junesh V. Xavier, C.P. they guide and direct us from within, these gifts not only enrichThis our past interior summer lives,I had but the also opportunity build up to Director of Music Mr. Ben Cornelius-Bates and renew our life in community.watch some of the events of World Youth Business Administrator Mr. John Colaizzi Day hosted in the beautiful city of Krakow. It PromotionRetreat Staff: / Database / Ms. Mary Ann Laba Administration was inspiring to witness the participation of In The Joy of the Gospelso, Popemany Francisyoung writes women that and “the men Holy from Retreat Director Fr. Gerald Laba, C.P. Spirit…transforms our hearts”around andthe “buildsworld drawn up the together communion by their and harmony of the peoplefaith ofand God.” by aThe desire Spirit to alsogrow “brings in their Retreat Team: Br. Leo DiFiore, C.P. Fr. Patrick Geinzer, C.P. forth a rich variety of gifts,following while ofat Jesusthe same and timein theircreating life awith Fr. Mike Salvagna, C.P. unity which is never uniformityothers. but a multifaceted and inviting Fr. Joe Sedley, C.P. harmony.” (Pope Francis, The Joy of the Gospel, no. 117) Fr. Junesh V. Xavier, C.P. On Saturday evening, July 30, Pope Francis presided at a moving Prayer Vigil. Through personal testimony and a dramatic Director of Music Mr. Ben Cornelius Bates At presentationthis time our that thoughts offered a sometimesfaith response turn to someto the of needthe challenges for a Business Administrator Mr. John Colaizzi Promotion / Database / Ms. Mary Ann Laba fullerof theexperience modern world,of unity the andparticipants harmony presented at all levels an encouraging of life. Administration Popemessage Francis of hopereminds and uspeace. that “DifferencesToward the conclusion between ofpersons the Vigil, andPope communities Francis addressed can sometimes the gathering prove with uncomfortable, a message that but was the both Holyilluminating Spirit, who and is challenging. the source ofIt isthat a messagediversity, that can people bring offorth eve ry somethinggeneration good can takefrom to allheart things. and turn it into an attractive meansThe Popeof evangelization.” reminded us that (Pope sometimes Francis, we The can Joy settleof the intoGospel a kin, no.d of 131)‘paralysis’ that “confuses happiness” with being comfortable, thinking that “there is no longer any room to grow, to dream, to Saintcreate, Paul to the gaze Apostle at new tells horizons us that – livingin a word in the to Spiritlive…” leads Instead, to a he deepersaid to experiencethe assembled of youth, “joy, we arepeace, here “topatience, leave a markkindness,”. “Jesus, generosity,who is the way,faithfulness, the truth and gentleness, the life…is askingand eachself of- control”.you, calling (Galatiansyou, to 5:22leave-23) your These mark gifts on life, of theto leave Holy a Spirit mark onare history, qualities your that own, bringand thatnew of lifemany and others a asrenewed well.” purpose to each of us individually“As he did and on Pentecost, to our relationships the Lord wants with to one work another. one of the greatest miracles we can experience; he wants to turn your hands, my hands, A ourkey hands,to the into unity signs that of reconciliation, we seek in ofChrist communion, is to oflive creation with … opennessWhen he to calls the on guidance us, he is and thinking gifts aboutof the everything Holy Spirit we havethat to strengthengive, all the us love in our we followingare capable of of Jesus. spreading…Jesus The gifts of is thepointing Spirit you offerto theus future.”practical helps to building up our life with others in charityDuring and this peace retreat and season, strengthen we are us reflectinginwardly. on the theme Make Known to Me Your Ways, Lord. Authentic spiritual discernment Ourhelps retreat us themeto come for to this a deeper season, understanding In Christ, United of the in way Mind in andwhich HeartGod, willis leading help usus, toinviting reflect us on into this the importantfuture. Each call of tous becomeis called by centeredJesus andto bringone in the Christ. Gospel We lookto life forward in new to yourways joining– through us forcompassionate a retreat during service this ,seasonthrough and healing, pray concernthat God’s for thoseblessingsin need, willreconciliation, be with you inand all peace. ways. Centering our lives in Jesus, we can all make a difference by praying and working together to further the reign of God. Yours in Christ, This is the message of encouragement that Pope Francis has offered to the youth of our world and to each one of us. As we pray Page 2 Page together,2 Fr. Gerald,Make known C.P. to me, Your ways, Lord, may our minds and Page 2 hearts 2 Retreatbe more Director open to the way that Jesus sets before us. In our Page 2 following of Jesus, each one of us can truly make a difference! (Quotations are taken from Pope Francis’ Address at the World Youth Day Prayer Vigil, July 30, 2016) Sincerely in Christ, Fr. Gerald Laba, C.P. Retreat Director Intercessory Prayer: Bringing God’s Shalom to Your Neighborhood Fr. Michael Salvagna, C.P. Prayer is our lifeline to God. It is a loving relationship that draws us deeper into the heart of God. By our prayers of adoration, praise and thanksgiving we affirm our love for God and neighbor. Another facet of our prayer is intercession. All Christians are called to be intercessors (1Timothy 2:1-2). Each has the God-given responsibility to engage in regular, sustained prayer for personal needs and the concerns of others all around us. Is it possible for Christians to band together to transform the secular culture around them and usher in the kingdom of God? A national movement has arisen that encourages believers to saturate their neighborhood, town and city with sustained intercessory prayer. Many Pittsburghers are meeting regularly in homes, schools, places of business, anywhere and everywhere, and praying “thy kingdom come, they will be done” in Pittsburgh as it is in Heaven. In this workshop, Fr. Michael will introduce the strategy called prayer walking which is “praying on site with insight.” It is saturating prayer, alone or in groups, that is bringing a wave of healing and transformation to families, neighborhoods, communities, and cities everywhere. This kingdom mindset is God’s plan to shower his people with shalom. Date: Thursday – September 28, 2017 Offering: $8.00 Time: 10:00 – 11:30 AM and 7:00 to 8:30 PM (two identical sessions) To register, please call the Retreat Center at 412-381-7676 Annual Family Retreat Alice Kilonsky and Margaret Almasy St. Joan of Arc Women's Retreat - April 2017 Cathleen Kilonsky and Melissa Coe Left to right: Melissa Coe and Margaret Almasy (daughter-promoter and mother co-promoter) 3 Praying with Scripture Lectio Divina The document of the Second Vatican Council entitled ‘Verbum Dei’ (The Word of God) emphasizes the importance of reflecting on the Scriptures as the “living word of God” in personal prayer and in the liturgy. Many Christians have found praying with Scripture to be an enriching part of their spiritual journey and spend quality time each day reflecting on the Word of God. We invite you to join us for this evening program that will help us to think about a method for praying with Presenter: Scripture and consider the overall importance of Fr. Gerald Laba, C.P. reflecting on Scripture in our spiritual journey. The program will include the opportunity for meditation Presenter: on a Scripture passage and faith sharing. Fr. Timothy Fitzgerald, C.P. Date: Wednesday - October 4, 2017 Time: 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be available Offering: $8.00 To register, please call the Retreat Center at 412-381-7676 Healing Life’s Hurts: Forgiveness as the Key to Inner Healing Rev. Michael Salvagna, C.P. Healing is a process by which what is wounded or sick becomes whole or healthy. Physical healings can be observed externally. However, mental, emotional and spiritual healings are interior, harder to evaluate, and take longer to achieve. Inner healing/healing of painful memories uncovers the wounds locked in one’s past which prevent a person from being more peaceful, free and happy. The hurts we experience often come from excessive fear, anger, grief, guilt, and depression which weaken a person’s confidence and self-love. The gift of forgiveness is an important tool to bring peace of mind and heart to troubled souls. This workshop explains how forgiveness is an act of the will and not a feeling. Choosing to give unconditional forgiveness frees a person from thinking about the circumstances surrounding a particular hurt. Self-forgiveness is also included in the workshop. A prayer meditation will follow the presentation using faith imagination. In this dynamic, the person imagines Jesus being present at painful moments of their lives, and together granting forgiveness to those who have hurt them. Participants are encouraged to attend both evenings since each session will stand on its own.