Padre’s Points to Ponder – 9/5/25
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
I’m currently, at the time of this writing, at Mundelein Seminary outside of Chicago for the next installment of a Certificate Program in Pastoral Supervision for the Synthesis Stage of Priestly Formation, or, as I am wont to call it, “Synthesizer Training.” No keytars or 80’s hair bands…just quality training and information on how best to prepare a man for the priesthood.
This module is a 5-day silent retreat. Yes, 5 days of speaking only to a spiritual director for about 45 minutes each day; the rest of the time is spent in 4 hour-long prayer periods, Mass, silent meals, and rest (and sneaking away for a brief moment to write a bulletin article). I love this style of retreat, finding that the silence and the spiritual direction always bring out the Lord’s voice so clearly.
The Canon Law of the Church dictates that priests are to take a retreat every year, precisely because the Church knows that fallen human nature will lead the priest just like anyone else, to bury himself in work, duties, relationships, projects…all sorts of things which may be good in themselves, but can quickly become too all-consuming. Taking a retreat ensures that the priest is anchored in the Lord.
The People of God deserve this same re-grounding. You deserve, and the soul needs, to have time set apart for just the Lord. When was the last time you had a solid retreat?
A great start can be experiences like the women’s and men’s Welcome retreats. Then there’s the Purification Heritage Center, a retreat center built on the grounds of Georgia’s first Catholic settlement and parish, the Church of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary. There’s the Monastery of the Holy Spirit in Conyers. In November, we will again host the St. John Paul II Healing Center for their men’s retreat this time.
If the demands of life are simply too intense right now, it’s totally acceptable to start small…pick one hour out of the week and go to Adoration. Sit in the Presence of the Lord Jesus Christ in silence for an hour, with something spiritual to read, or your Bible. Sit in the silence with Him for a micro-retreat. Didn’t He say “Come to me, you who labor and are heavy burdened, and I will give you rest”? Take Him up on it!
Praised be Jesus Christ, now and forever!
All you holy saints of God, pray for us!
Peace in Christ,
Fr. Michael Silloway
Pastor