GENNESARET - A Retreat Experience For The Seriously Ill

"After making the crossing, they came ashore at Gennesaret...
the crowds scurried to bring the sick...
to the place where they heard he was." - Mark 6:53

Dear Friends,

The Gennesaret Retreat, held at the Vincentian Renewal center in Princeton, NJ offers a unique opportunity for persons who face a serious illness, to come away for a weekend of spiritual renewal and refreshment. Since our first retreat in the Fall of 1991, several hundred people have participated.

The retreat weekend schedule is designed to celebrate the love of the Lord Jesus Christ through prayer times, celebration of Mass, Sacrament of reconciliation, talks by our spiritual directors, quiet times and ample periods of rest. There is time for sharing, celebrating, prayer together and alone. It begins on Friday at about 1:30 PM and ends on Sunday afternoon at about 4:00 PM.

Once again, I ask your support for the Gennesaret Retreat for the seriously ill which will be held on at the Vincentian Renewal Center in Princeton on:

October 19 - 21, 2007
May 16 to 18, 2008
October 17 to 19, 2008

What Gennesaret Offers:

• A respite from the daily coping with serious illness

• A staff of Medical Personnel

• Spiritual Directors

• A caring team of helpers to assist retreatants

• A retreat setting that allows time for rest and quiet

• A focus on God's love, forgiveness and faithfulness

We hear the word environment so often in our Cursillo movement. This retreat is an effort to bring people from their everyday place of struggle with illness, chores, bills, etc. to a place of beauty, peace, music and laughter. A place where they can take "time out" for God and hear of His Presence with them on their journey. They too go back to their environments, often with a renewed sense of God’s faithfulness to share with those around them.

I ask you, my brothers and sisters:

• to suggest the retreat to anyone for whom you think it may be of help;
• to pray for the team in formation;
• personally, or as a group, consider sponsoring a retreatant;

and especially, for palanca for the retreatants. It is one of God’s special touches for them.

Children's letters and drawings are especilly welcome. Because of the serious nature of the illness, instead of the usual "Get Well" wishes, perhaps thoughts of God Loves You, Have a nice (happy) day, or I am praying for you would be helpful.

Palanca notes can be addressed to "Dear Friend" and sent to: Hilare Reinold, 11 Anton Place Aberdeen, NJ 07747-1208.

All in the Cursillo Community are invited to participate in Saturday's Holy Hour held in the chapel while the healing (anointing) liturgy is being celebrated in the other room. We all come together for a few moments afterwards leading to a party. The Sunday Mass is open to all who wish to come. The Holy Hour is at 7 PM on Saturday of the weekend and Sunday's Closing Mass is at 1:30 PM at the Vincentian Center in Plainsboro, New Jersey.

Thank you so much. Please keep us in prayer.

When Jesus turned around and noticed them following
Him, they asked them, "What are you looking for?"
They said to Him, "Rabbi, where do you stay?"
"Come and see," he answered.
So they went to see where he was lodged, and stayed with Him that day. - John 1:38