• Art
  • Book Reviews
  • Catechism
  • Games
  • Music
  • Special Needs
  • Technology
  • Theology

Amazing Catechists

Teaching and learning the faith together

Menu
  • Home
  • About
    • Patron Saint of Amazing Catechists
    • Donations
  • Lisa Mladinich
  • Columnists
    • Browse by Topic
      • #giveaway
      • Art
      • Campus Ministry
      • Catechetics
      • Catechism
      • Catechist Training
      • Catholic Spirituality
      • Church Documents
      • Columnists
      • Culture
      • Elementary School
      • Evangelization
      • Family Life
      • Featured
      • Games
      • General
      • Grief Resources
      • High School
      • Homeschooling
      • Liturgical
      • Mary
      • Middle School
      • Music
      • New Age
      • NFP/Chastity
      • Prayer
      • RCIA & Adult Ed
      • Reader Suggestions
      • Sacraments
      • Scripture
      • Special Needs
      • Spiritual Warfare
      • Technology
      • Theology
      • Therapeutic
      • Video
      • Vocations
    • Browse by Author
      • Alex Basile
      • Alice Gunther
      • Amanda Woodiel
      • Cay Gibson
      • Christian LeBlanc
      • Christopher Smith
      • Deanna Bartalini
      • Dorian Speed
      • Elizabeth Ficocelli
      • Elizabeth Tichvon
      • Ellen Gable Hrkach
      • Faith Writer
      • Father Juan R. Velez
      • Gabe Garnica
      • Jeannie Ewing
      • Jennifer Fitz
      • Justin Combs
      • Karee Santos
      • Lisa Mladinich
      • Marc Cardaronella
      • Maria Rivera
      • Mary Ellen Barrett
      • Mary Lou Rosien
      • Maureen Smith
      • Msgr. Robert Batule
      • Msgr. Charles Pope
      • Pat Gohn
      • Peggy Clores
      • Robyn Lee
      • Rocco Fortunato
      • Sarah Reinhard
      • Steve McVey
      • Tanja Cilia
      • William O’Leary
  • Resources
    • Bible Stories
    • Book Reviews
    • Catholic Cartoons
    • Catholic Links
    • Interviews
  • Speakers
  • Contact us

Spiritual Retreat: A Must for the Catechist

By Maria Rivera

Every catechist has planned, attended or chaperoned a retreat or two, or even more. Personally, I’ve lost count. At least twice during the school year the DRE and I are making calls, collecting money, begging for chaperones, packing teens in a bus or giving directions to get to that remote place where teens can have a unique experience of God. Away from their routine, with iPods and phones off, a little praying and some meditating time, the teens always manage to easily open their hearts to the power of the Holy Spirit. They always tell the parish priest, retreat was the best experience of their Confirmation year. And I always tell them they should do this on their own, pack a few friends in a car and go on pilgrimage whenever the feel thirst for God.

But, as a catechist, I find little time to follow my own advice. Making a personal retreat in the midst of a busy schedule seems an impossible task. You all know what I’m talking about. And, before we know it, our fountain of devotion starts to trickle, what once was a heart full of zeal becomes dry land. We drag our feet to class, our minds run out of ideas. We need a drink of God. After an exhortation from my own sister, who after listening to my woes raised her eyebrows and whispered “You need to go on retreat!”

I made up my mind. I took 4 days off from work – a luxury reserved for beach vacations – packed a small suitcase and took a plane to Ohio to retreat in the cloister of the Sisters of the Visitation, for a silent retreat. No iPods, no phone, no t.v., no radio. There in the middle of that embrace between Mary and Elizabeth I found my spirit again, not as a catechist, not thinking ‘oh, I’m going to add this to one of my lessons’, but as a child of God, desiring to rest against His chest to listen to His living heart.

Sure, I took an afternoon to pray for all my written intentions, but the rest of the time was for me. I prayed for myself. I was selfish, just Jesus and me. None of this Martha stuff. I was Mary listening to his every word; Magdalene wiping His tired feet; John leaning his head on His shoulder; a leper extending my hand; Peter crying of sorrow for my sins; a grieved follower in a listening walk to Emmaus. The joy of the Holy Spirit resurrected, subtle and strong.

Maybe a silent retreat is not for everyone, but the point is this: Go on a spiritual retreat!! You and the Holy Trinity. Do it for yourself, leave the world behind and take a drink of God, drink his living water once more. You will not regret it. If you want to be an effective catechist, and have your faith confirmed in Christ, I’ve got 4 words for you: Spiritual Retreat. Do it!

2009 Maria Rivera

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)

Read all posts by Maria Rivera Filed Under: General Tagged With: Maria Rivera

About Maria Rivera

María M. Rivera is a Spanish Medical Interpreter who writes on diverse topics. Besides being bilingual (Spanish English) she also studies Italian. Originally from Puerto Rico, she now resides in Wisconsin. She is an active member of St. Florian Parish in Wisconsin where she volunteers as a Confirmation catechist. Her published articles include: "The Many Marys of Latin America" (2000), an article published by The Catholic Herald; "Fatima by the Lake" (2002) and "Carmelite Ascent in Wisconsin" (2002); both which appeared in National Catholic Register. And, "The Gift of Aunthood", published by Canticle Magazine (2001), among others. María M. Rivera graduated from Cardinal Stritch University, with a degree in Mathematics, which she considers 'another language'. María is a member of American Translators Association; Catholic Writers Guild; St. Florian Christian Formation and St. Florian Adoration Choir.

Follow Us!

  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

What’s New?

microphoneNEED A SPEAKER FOR YOUR NEXT IN-SERVICE?

Amazing Catechists can help!

Visit our Speakers page to access our available speakers and topics. And if you don't see what you are looking for, send a comment through the website, and we will get right back to you!

Catholic CD of the month club

Sign up for our Newsletter!

Columnists

Alice Gunther

Amanda Woodiel

Cay Gibson

Christian LeBlanc

Christopher Smith

Deanna Bartalini

Dorian Speed

Elizabeth Ficocelli

Elizabeth Tichvon

Ellen Gable Hrkach

Faith Writer

Father Juan Velez

Gabriel Garnica

Jeannie Ewing

Jennifer Fitz

Karee Santos

Lisa Mladinich

Marc Cardaronella

Mary Ellen Barrett

Mary Lou Rosien

Maureen Smith

Monsignor Robert Batule

Msgr. Charles Pope

Pat Gohn

Peggy Clores

Robyn Lee

Rocco Fortunato

Sarah Reinhard

Sherine Green

Sr. Teresa Joseph fma

Steve McVey

Tanja Cilia

William O’Leary

Archives

Share Amazing Catechists at your website!

Amazing Catechists

[footer_backtotop]

Copyright © 2022 Amazing Catechists. · Log in

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.