SCB retreatants return from Manresa closer to God
| The nightly Christmas lights and the life-size Nativity scene on display at Manresa the week after Thanksgiving gave retreatants a jump start into the Advent season. | |||
Father Cronin leads retreat into Advent
Six men from Destrehan attended a retreat at Manresa from November 29 - December 2. Five of the men are parishioners at SCB and one is a Parishioner at Sacred Heart in Norco. Attending the retreat were Howard Naquin, Harold Haydel (Sacred Heart), Michael Hebert, J. Michael Hebert, Ed Hymel Jr. and Ed Hymel III.
One of the highlights of the weekend was Howard making his first retreat at Manresa. I thought he was going to have a tough time with the silence, because he talks as much as Eddie Schneider. This was the first time this group used Loyola Hall. The new building was completed with first class workmanship and was very comfortable during the talks. Like Father Ostini said, "The best part is that it's paid for." The life-size Nativity scene was on display and the Christmas decorations were beautiful. This always gives me a jump start into the Advent season. Father Thomas Cronin S.J. was our retreat master. His jovial instructions are always fun. He focused on scriptures from Luke, Psalms, and Proverbs. He emphasized getting closer to God, to pray and think, to write down your prayers. He said we are more focused on what we write down. He suggested to limit recital prayers, mediate more on certain subjects and listen more. Sometimes you don't have to say anything, instead focus on adoration of Jesus. Being conscious of God in everyone and everything around you is "being prayerful". Fr. Cronin posed the question, "Where are we going and how do we get there?" He showed how we need to find a balance between work, play, worship, and love. He said that putting these words at the four points of the cross helps us to keep a balanced cross, thus a balanced life. He talked about sin and death. He defined sin as preferring our will over God's will. You can not sin unless you want to. The causes of sin are habit, ignorance, and surprise. However, God wants to forgive us more than we want to be forgiven. He stated that death is the final stage of growth and God will not desert us at this time. Life is not taken away, life is changed. It is not the time when we die that matters most, but how we lived. One of the highlights of his talks was sharing what goes through his mind at the instant the Eucharist becomes Christ during the Mass. He stated that his hands become the manger supporting Jesus. He described the different lights and reflections that he sees in the chalice and how they change when the wine (Christ) is poured into it. How our life can change when we let Jesus into it. He talked about all the people that come to mind at this time. It took him twenty minutes to describe what actual happens in less than one second. This was very profound and even showed greater emphases on the Eucharist celebration. We return to SCB closer to God and were strengthened to handle the trials that God has put before us. I look forward to our next Mass and meeting, however aware that things will be a little different without Father John celebrating the Mass with us. I know that he was always proud of the Men of Manresa group and the commitment that the group has toward Mary, Jesus, and His Church. 