The Setting of Intimacy with God
Parish Retreat 2013
On Saturday, November 16, at Saint Nicholas Church, Barberton, over 50 people gave themselves the opportunity to learn how to listen for God to speak, through the gift of silence. The Saint George Mens Group of the parish, sponsored their second all day retreat, inviting parishoners and visitors to attend.
Father Deacon Michael Lee was the retreat master for this day. His talks taught those in attendance how to seek solitude by first entering the wilderness. This wilderness he spoke of is located not physically in the land, but in the heart of each of us.
Each then learned that in the silence of this wilderness, we are forced to face our poverty, and understand that indeed, everything we have is a gift from God. Each learned not to be like the Israelites, who, while wandering in the wilderness, often times desired to return to the stability of the slavery of Egypt. Rather, we are to embrace the instability of the free man, to learn to place our trust in God and say yes. In the stillness of the heart, one can undergo Kenosis, or self emptying, in order to be filled with God, Theosis.
The day started first with the sharing a meal. Saint Anne's Ministry of the church provided a delicious lunch of meatless soups, in keeping with the Phillips fast.
The day concluded with the Divine Liturgy, celebrated by Bishop John, with the participation of Father Deacon Lee and pastor, Father Miron Kerul'-Kmec. Responses were led by the St. Nicholas choir.
By James Senderak
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(1994)
