Women of Grace Retreat April 20,21, and 22, 2012

On the weekend of April 20th, my good friend Cece and I whisked ourselves away from our families for three spirit filled days on a Women of Grace retreat. It goes with the study guide we have been going over for the last six months at MCCW (Military Council of Catholic Women). Its a two year study course. Well, the Powers That Be answered a  lot of prayers and was able to bring the author and well known speaker Johnette Benkovic to our home up here in the north country of New York. At a seminary (now also used for retreats), we took in the weekend and everything it had to offer! This weekends theme was "Do what He tells you." As quoted from Mary at the wedding of Cana to the servents, so too, should we.
We were able to have adoration, mass and confessions, a healing rosary and plenty of time of just meditating on our lives as women if grace, because we are mothers, daughters, wives and caretakers. We talked for hours on end with glasses of wine after dinner. I made many new friends and enjoyed all my company. It also helped that I didn't have to cook the three meals a day and snacks they served (did I mention the bottles of wine during the evening hours?). How much better could it be than this!!! KC held the fort down at home and my soul was refreshed and I cried my eyes out most of the time.

 Cece and myself

 The sign in the cafeteria during meal times!

 Just some of the beautiful ladies on the retreat!

 This is Fr. Mark. A very strong supporter of this Women of Grace program. He needs your prayers as well. In August he will be going to serve as a chaplain to the military men and women in the US Forces in Africa for a year. Near the end of the retreat his mother, who was attending, was crying (like we ALL were) and when he finished he went over to her and embraced her with tears in his eyes saying "It's going to be ok mom, I will be back before you know it!"

 Johnette speaks about her life, lost family members and how we as women are co-creators of life, as per God's plan for us.

 Just a lovely shot...thanks Dayna!!!

 Dayna snapped my profile, my eyes are all red cause I had been wiping them away for hours during Johnette's talk.

All the St. James ladies with Johnette Benkovic. We were truly blessed to be there that day! I can't wait to finish her book and I really can't wait until we can do this again!!!!