Diocesan Lenten Retreats

Friday, Jan. 22, 2016

SALT LAKE CITY — Easter Sunday falls on March 27 this year. It is based on the lunisolar calendar, not the Gregorian calendar; its date falls on the Sunday after the full moon that occurs on or closest to March 21, when spring begins.

This year Ash Wednesday is Feb. 10, when the Lenten season will begin. The Diocese of Salt Lake City will host the annual Lenten retreat at St. Vincent de Paul Parish on March 5. The theme is “Jesus is the Face of God’s Mercy,” which is taken from the Holy Father’s document for the Year of Mercy that began Dec. 8 and will end Nov. 20. 

The retreat masters this year are Father Ray John Marek for the English-speaking participants in the Benvegnu Center, and Cecilia von Bertrab for the Spanish-speaking participants in Holy Family Hall.

Fr. Marek was ordained into the Order of Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate and is stationed in Washington D.C.; priests and brothers from this order are stationed in more than 60 countries. 

The general title of Fr. Marek’s talk is “Abundant Mercy: Gift Received – Gift Given.” 

Fr. Marek has previously spoken in the Diocese of Salt Lake City; he is a resource program person from the Congar Institute of Ministry Development in San Antonio, Texas, which provides speakers and other resources for the diocese’s lay ecclesial ministry formation programs. He has been a pastor and leads many retreats, and he holds a Doctorate of Ministry in preaching, said Susan Northway, diocesan Office of Religious Education director.

Von Bertrab is also a resource program person from the Congar Institute and is very involved in retreats and Days of Prayer presentations in Texas, said Northway. A native of Mexico City, von Bertrab serves in the Archdiocese of San Antonio. She holds master’s degrees in education and spirituality. She studied at the Center for Spiritual Growth and the Contemplative Life, and is a trained spiritual director.

 WHAT: Diocese of Salt Lake City Lenten Retreat

WHEN: Saturday, March 5, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

WHERE: St. Vincent de Paul Parish, 1375 E. Spring Lane, SLC

COST: $15; includes a Lenten luncheon 

To register online, visit www.dioslc.org or call the Office of Religious Education at 801-328-8641 ext. 326, or the Office of Hispanic Ministry, ext. 361.