Lent at Our Lady of Calvary

Here at Our Lady of Calvary Retreat Center we are gearing up for Lent. We have several special retreats and programs planned for you during the Lenten Season.

lentIn a first for OLC, we are holding a Men’s Retreat March 18-19. The theme of this retreat is Saint Joseph: A Model of Compassion and Humility. This retreat will be led by Fr. Warren Savage. Fr. Savage is a priest of the Diocese of Springfield, Massachusetts. He is an international and national speaker, lecturer, and mission preacher. Fr. Savage has served as a parish priest, dean, educator, spiritual director, and administrator throughout Western Massachusetts, and is currently on the faculty for the Diocesan Permanent Diaconate Formation Program and the Religious Studies Department of the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee, MA. Fr. Savage serves as the Catholic Chaplain at Westfield State University, Westfield, MA and Amherst College, Amherst, MA.

A member of the Academy of Homiletics, Fr. Savage is also a member of The Society for the Study of Christian Spirituality and a member and the past Vice President of the National Black Catholic Clergy Caucus. He has been involved in prison ministry and in ministry with people living with HIV/AIDS. He has done extensive work in the areas of lay ministry formation, youth ministry, social justice, anti-racism, multicultural and diversity training, and cross-cultural ministry in Africa and Central America. Preaching the Gospel of Love in ways that touch the daily lives of the people, and offering deep spiritual insight coupled with practical ways to reach out to others, Fr. Savage’s missions attract hundreds of people of all ages and from all walks of life.

To All OLC Ladies: A personal message from Ron – We need your help! I am challenging all of you to make this first-ever Men’s Retreat Weekend at OLC a success! This retreat will make a great gift for the man in your life and will help him deepen his faith during Lent. You know how special you feel when you are here at OLC. It is now time for you to share and encourage that special feeling (no more keeping it a secret!) with the man in your life and let him experience the spiritual beauty which OLC imparts to all of us. Learn more at: https://www.ourladyofcalvary.net/event/saint-joseph-model-compassion-humility/

lentStations of the Cross – We will again pray the Stations every Friday during Lent at 12 Noon sharp, beginning Friday, March 3. The stations will be followed by a simple soup lunch of clam chowder prepared by Chef Joseph. This event is free to all. A free will offering for the simple soup lunch will be gladly appreciated. We would appreciate it if you would kindly let us know if you plan to attend by email at olcretreat@sbcglobal.net or by calling us at 860-677-8519 so we may plan accordingly for lunch.

Special Programs for Lent

LentPOPE FRANCIS AND THE CARE OF THE EARTH – MARCH 4
Spend an interesting and enlightening morning exploring Laudata Si’, Pope Francis’ groundbreaking encyclical on our responsibility for the care of the earth, with Sister Mary O’Brien, CP at Our Lady of Calvary Retreat Center in Farmington from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm on March 4, 2017. Offering of $30 includes lunch. Learn more: https://www.ourladyofcalvary.net/event/pope-francis-care-earth/

saint josephLENTEN EVENING OF REFLECTION WITH DEACON ART MILLER – MARCH 8
This Lenten evening of reflection with Deacon Art Miller will explore how we may move from being an informed to a transformed Catholic by accepting Scripture’s challenge to put our faith into action. The program will be offered at Our Lady of Calvary Retreat Center in Farmington on March 8, 2017. Reservation for 6:00 pm dinner is $15. Offering for the program, which runs from 7:00 to 9:00 pm is $25. Learn more: https://www.ourladyofcalvary.net/event/lenten-evening-reflection-deacon-miller/

lentLECTIO DIVINA: LISTENING TO THE EARS OF THE HEART – MARCH 15
Perhaps it is time to stop fighting to be “engaged” in your attempts at “contemplative prayer” and allow your longing to communicate with The One Who Loves You to take whatever form your heart desires. Guided by the profound and beautiful Too Deep for Words by Sr. Thelma Hall, OLC Retreat Member Celeste Calabotta will lead this morning of reflection from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm on March 15, 2017 at Our Lady of Calvary Retreat Center in Farmington. Offering of $30 includes lunch. Learn more: https://www.ourladyofcalvary.net/event/lectio-divina-listening-ears-heart/

LentRESURRECTION GARDEN WORKSHOP – MARCH 22
Create a resurrection garden with OLC’s Program Director Sr. Mary Ann and Lauren Foote at Our Lady of Calvary Retreat Center in Farmington on March 22, 2017 from 6:00 to 9:00 pm. There is nothing quite like getting our hands dirty and working with soil and natural elements to help us focus on Lent and the real meaning of Easter. Offering is $15 for dinner reservation; $25 for program. Learn more: https://www.ourladyofcalvary.net/event/resurrection-garden-workshop/

lentPYSANKY WORKSHOP – APRIL 5
Come, enjoy the art of Pysanky, a Ukrainian handcraft with a history rich in symbolism and legend, with artists from Dick Blick at Our Lady of Calvary Retreat Center in Farmington on April 5, 2017 from 6:00 to 9:00 pm. No artistic talent is required to create your own beautiful egg. Offering is $15 for dinner reservation; $25 for program. More info at: https://www.ourladyofcalvary.net/event/pysanky-workshop/

We look forward to welcoming you to OLC during Lent and we encourage you to bring a friend! It is a fact that when you bring someone through the doors at OLC, this has a direct benefit of continuing this ministry into the future. You can register by using the links above or by calling us at 860.677.8519.