Diocese of Raleigh Annual Priests Retreat
September 2022
The following notes were addressed to priests by the Retreat Master,
but may be beneficial for everyone!
“Beloved, I remind you to stir into flame the gift of God
that you have through the imposition of my hands.” -2 Tm 1:6
Eucharistic Revival in the Church, in the world, must begin with the man who stands at the altar. How do we 1) prepare for Mass beforehand? 2) celebrate Mass? 3) give thanks afterward? Give time to the Lord for thanksgiving.
God enters our world through the Eucharist. God transforms our world through the Eucharist.
At Mass we celebrate the way God has entered and transformed our world. In the Eucharist there is a “river of goodness” wider than all the evil that could ever exist. If you have said one Mass, you have done more for the world than any Head of State, ambassador, etc.
“Bear your share of hardship for the gospel
with the strength that comes from God.” - 2 Tm 1:8
Resentment is the poison you drink, hoping the other person dies. I will carry it to the grave and it will kill me. Resentment prevents us from being the person God wants us to be.
Disappointments purify us. Life’s purpose is not to gratify us but to purify us. Does our success make us more like Christ? No. We are not called to be successful but faithful. We must persevere through our failures and disappointments. The greatest challenge to Christian life is success, not failure. In all things we should have the disposition of Christ: humility in doing God’s will.