Love of God, Neighbor and Self

Luke 10:25-27 Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he said, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" He said to him, "What is written in the law? What do you read there?" He answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself."

Last Saturday, about 20 people came together at Sacred Heart Parish. Around 9:00 in the old convent, we began to gather. Father Jeremy, John Mazz and Sister Rita were making some last minute preparations. I, like a good Franciscan, was eating—just one more bagel and a cup of coffee. Joe and Olga Munafo arrived first. Soon more people were showing up.

Sr. Rita Marie Pickhinke is a Sister of Mercy from Omaha, Nebraska. She led us in retreat. For one day we saw and shared about love of God, neighbor and self. Sr. Rita has much experience giving retreats for the Deaf. She has worked with the Deaf in the Philippines. She has traveled to many countries.

Lk 10:29 But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"

Who is our neighbor? Sr. Rita showed us in sign, image and action. The entire day she signed to us her message of love. She reminded us of people like Mother Theresa of Calcutta. We shared with each other our reflections:
· Who is a holy person for me? My mother? My grandfather?
· What were our experiences?
We shared in large groups and small groups.

Sr. Rita also showed us pictures of her experience. She showed us pictures of Deaf people in the Philippines. She informed us that we need to share with others.

Many people in the world live in poverty. We have “time, talent and treasure.” We can share these with each other. God calls us to share all of this with each other, especially the poor.

Also Sr. Rita informed us about the need for forgiveness. This was a beautiful part of the retreat because at the end, we celebrated the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Fr. Jeremy St. Martin and Fr. Joe Bruce offered the Sacrament of Reconciliation to all who were there.

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Luke22:19-20 Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me." And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, "This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood."

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Afterwards both Fr. Jeremy and Fr. Joe presided at the vigil Mass for Sunday. When Mass ended we all went into the dining room. To end the retreat we all shared a delicious meal of chicken picatta, rice Florentine and butternut squash. We are grateful to Richards & Company Catering of Belmont, MA. Richards & Company prepared all the wonderful meals for the retreat and even set the tables beautifully with table clothes, candles and sparkling water. We thanked God at the Eucharist. Then we nourished ourselves and each other physically with this scrumptious dinner.

It was a beautiful end to a beautiful day!