Is a Faithbooking Retreat About More Than Scrapbooking?

  When was the last time you took time to just gather thoughts on the workings of God in your life?

A Faithbooking retreat is a beautiful time to ponder God's actions in your life.  This could be the perfect getaway opportunity. Gift yourself this special time away. You are worth it!  You simply provide yourself an opportunity to BE in God’s presence.  There are no expectations – no supply list, no directions, no requirements.  It is a weekend of your own design. If you’ve attended before, you know how priceless this time away is.  

For those of you who have never been, let us explain what a Faithbooking retreat is. The retreat has a fairly open schedule.  

The only fixed times are for meals and the guided meditation talks. How you use the rest of the time is entirely up to you.

Our retreatants come from a variety of backgrounds and interests and to many, scrapbooking isn’t in their area of interest.  

Most people come with a particular activity in mind, for example:

• Several will arrive with a writing project in mind. It might be that you want to write a special letter for your family, telling them about your faith journey, or writing a letter to someone to thank them for when they were “God-like” to you. Perhaps you are preparing a talk, or journaling about times you felt close to God. It could be you have an idea in mind for an article for your parish newsletter or other publication.  One of our regular retreatants takes this time to work on her latest book. We provide a quiet room for those who want to concentrate – no music, no conversation.

•  If your interests tend toward painting or sketching, two of our regulars design and paint as part of the process of creating religious-themed cards. If you like to sketch, the property around the retreat center offers many beautiful views. And if you just like to color, there’s a bountiful supply of adult coloring books, markers, and colored pencils available for you.

• A recent retreatant spent her time crocheting a blanket for her grandchild. Another regularly brings materials to knit or crochet prayer shawls. If you’re interested in yarn craft but don’t know how, feel free to ask for instruction.

• Another retreatant brought materials to create rosaries for two of the seminarians who were going to be ordained later in the spring.

• Two of our retreatants were blind! One spent time writing memories in braille and the other took the opportunity for coaching as she knit a prayer shawl.

And maybe you just want to take advantage of this away time to be with Jesus. There’s a beautiful chapel, a nicely-stocked library, and outdoor space where you can be alone (or perhaps with a new friend) to clear your mind and contemplate God’s blessings.