Well-known spiritual author and speaker Father Joseph Nassal, CPPS, will present a one-day retreat at St. Benedict Center, four miles north of Schuyler, on Saturday, October 14, titled, From Here to Hope: Our Mission of Mercy. In his book, The Name of God is Mercy, Pope Francis wrote, “Yes, I believe that this is a time for mercy. The Church is showing her maternal side, her motherly face, to a humanity that is wounded. She does not wait for the wounded to knock on her doors, she looks for them on the streets, she gathers them in, she embraces them, she takes care of them, she makes them feel loved.” During the Holy Year of Mercy, the pope encouraged faith communities to open their doors so that all pilgrims might find welcome and experience God’s mercy and compassion. But it is also necessary for people of faith to be ministers of mercy in the world—to go out into the streets to share the mercy of God with those on the margins of life. Today we will explore in both practical and prophetic ways how to live God’s tender mercy in our everyday lives.
Father Joe is the author of eight books including The Conspiracy of Compassion, Rest Stops for the Soul, Premeditated Mercy, Moments of Truth, and Stations of the Crib (all Ave Maria Press). A Missionary of the Precious Blood, he has been engaged in retreat, renewal and reconciliation ministry since 1988, including three years as director of Shantivanam, the House of Prayer for the Archdiocese of Kansas City, Kansas. Since 2002, he has been involved in establishing the Precious Blood Center for Reconciliation on the south side of Chicago. Ordained in 1982, he has also served in parish and justice and peace ministry and in formation, vocation, and leadership for his religious community. He presently serves as Provincial of the Kansas City Province and lives in Liberty, Missouri.
The retreat runs from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; registration begins at 8:30 a.m. The program fee is $ 30. Lunch is available at the Center for $ 10.50 (includes tax), if you pay for it BEFORE the program starts. Register here.
Thank you very much for all your help in making this event known!
Fr. Thomas Leitner, O.S.B.
Administrator
St. Benedict Center