More than 1,000 seriously ill people have sought rest and comfort
at the Retreat for People Facing Serious Illness since it began in 1978 at the
Dominican Retreat house in McLean. They came in wheelchairs, with walkers, one
came on a stretcher.
The retreats ended in 2015 when the retreat facility closed, but
with the help of diocesan Catholic Charities, a Retreat for People Facing
Serious Illness will be held at the San Damiano Spiritual Life Center in White
Post Sept. 22-24.
Art Bennett, president and CEO of Catholic Charities, said when
Father Robert C. Cilinski, pastor of Church of the Nativity in Burke and
program director of the retreat, said they needed another organization to work
with, it seemed like a natural fit for Catholic Charities, which works to help
marginalized populations.
This year’s theme touches on to what so many need — rest. “Come
to me, all you who labor and are heavy burdened. And I will give you rest.” (Mt
11:28).
The retreat team consists of priests, doctors, nurses and
helpers.
Mary Flaherty, retreat coordinator, said some people worried the
retreat would focus on death and dying. She said that is not the case.
“We are going to talk about the love of God and the strength the
Lord gives,” she said.
Retreatants come as strangers and many feel isolated in their
experience. By the second day, people who can barely walk are pushing
wheelchairs for others, said Esther Silva, a past retreat coordinator and
member of this year’s team.
“It is a beautiful thing to watch,” she said. “They take care of
each other.”
Facing a serious illness, Silva was encouraged by fellow members
of the Cursillo Movement in Arlington to attend the retreat. She was interested
but wanted to be left alone at the retreat. She was told, “If you want to be
alone, you can be left alone. We will let you be.”
The experience was powerful enough to lead her to encourage her
husband, Tom, to volunteer in some way the following year. They have been
volunteering since.
The relaxed retreat schedule accommodates the needs of the
retreatants who can meet priests or team members during free time, and with
counselors from Catholic Charities.
Nurses will ensure they can meet the needs of the retreatants
when they register.
The retreat includes talks, daily Mass, anointing of the sick,
meals, sharing, Holy Hour and Benediction.
The original retreat in 1978 was the first of its kind in the
United States, according to Father Cilinski. It was founded by Missionhurst
Father Paul Wynants, Dorothy Garrett, Jo Magno and Steve Kulenguski and was
supported by the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine de’ Ricci who ran Dominican
Retreat. The Cursillo Movement continues to support the retreat through
prayers, financial assistance and letters of support to the retreatants.
Everyone leaves the retreat feeling better at different levels,
according to Father Cilinski. “Sometimes the healing we need is physical, but
God wants to give us inner healing,” he said. “Serious illness can be
isolating, but the retreat has a joyful aspect of people being in community. It
is a sharing of God’s love.”
If you go
To register, email contact
information to [email protected] or call 703-841-3830.
