Did you know that Lent begins on Valentine’s Day? This is the first time in 45 years that Ash Wednesday will fall on February 14,
Here at OLC, we are offering a wide variety of day and evening retreats specifically for Lent. We hope you will be able to attend at least one of these special programs.
Stations of the Cross in Lent
Beginning on Friday, February 16, 2018, join us for outdoor Stations of the Cross at 12 noon on each Friday of Lent. Then share a simple soup lunch of clam chowder prepared by Chef Bill.
If you are attending, please help us plan for the lunch by emailing olcretreat@sbcglobal.net. A free-will offering for the lunch will be gladly appreciated. In the event that the weather is uncooperative, we will pray the Stations in our St. Paul of the Cross chapel.
What are They Saying About Forgiveness
Theologian Lewis Smedes writes that “to forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you.” Sister Mary Ann Strain, CP, Program Director, will present this interactive workshop on February 17, 2018, from 9:00 am to 1:30 pm. It will address the following questions: What is forgiveness and what is it not? Is forgiveness always appropriate? What steps can we take when we need to forgive?
Participants will have the opportunity to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation and/or to make reservations for a chair massage.
The program, which is limited to 15 participants, will take place in the upstairs Blue Room. Offering is $30, including lunch.
Call 860.677.8519 or register online at https://www.ourladyofcalvary.net/event/forgiveness/
Lenten Crown of Thorns Craft Evening
This program will take place from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm on February 21, 2018. Each participant will make a Crown of Thorns to take home and share with family. At home, each person who performs a good deed or makes a sacrifice gets to remove a thorn from the Crown. At the end of Lent, the Crown of Thorns can be redecorated into a Crown of Glory.
The evening will begin with prayer, move on to the craft and conclude with the blessing of our creations in the chapel. The presenter will be Sister Mary Ann Strain, CP, Program Director, with Emily Petrillo from Dick Blick. Emily is a graduate of RISD.
Offering is $25.
Call 860.677.8519 or register online at https://www.ourladyofcalvary.net/event/lenten-crown-thorns-craft-evening/
Easter Egg Decorating Workshop
Come to OLC on February 24, 2018, from 9:00 am to 1:30 pm to learn how to blow out and decorate your own unique eggs. Ribbons and lace, flowers and bows are just some of the items we will use. You will learn the tricky process of blowing out, washing and dying the eggs. Though the eggs are fragile, they can last for years if correctly packed.
Cheryl Pietrycha, OLC staff member, will lead the program. It will take place in the upstairs Blue Room and is limited to 15 participants.
Offering of $30 includes lunch.
Call 860.677.8519 or register online at https://www.ourladyofcalvary.net/event/easter-egg-decorating-workshop/
Lenten Retreat Day
Join us at for a special Lenten Retreat Day on February 28 @ 9:00 am – 2:00 pm. Our day will begin with morning prayer followed by a presentation on the Seven Sorrows of Mary by Sister Mary Ann Strain, CP, Program Director at OLC. The Seven Sorrows of Mary are an ancient and popular devotion in the Catholic Church. We relate to Mary in her sufferings because we suffer too. We believe that Mary understands us and helps us in our suffering.
There will be an opportunity to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
This day will conclude with Mass in OLC’s chapel at 1:00 pm.
Includes lunch.
Offering: $30
Call 860.677.8519 or register online at https://www.ourladyofcalvary.net/event/lenten-retreat-day/
Journeying through the Desert: A Lenten Evening of Reflection
Lent is a season of transformation, a journey through the desert with Jesus. Spend an evening at OLC pondering the sacred struggle of the Lenten story. The program will be presented by Sheri Dursin on March 14, 2018, from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. It offers a retreat talk, music, time for quiet reflection, and optional sharing. We will end with a ritual of forgiveness as we prepare to receive God’s gift of radical mercy.
Offering is $25.
Call 860.677.8519 or register online at https://www.ourladyofcalvary.net/event/lenten-evening-reflection/