Hundreds gather for retreat, renewing their spirit

Intermountain Catholic

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Father Raul Cervantes was among the presenters at the two-day retreat at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church. IC photos/Laura Vallejo

LAYTON — Hundreds of faithful Catholics gathered at Saint Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Layton to celebrate a two-day retreat on Feb. 8-9.

Father Jose Barrera, parochial vicar of the Cathedral of the Madeleine; Father Raul Cervantes, parochial vicar of Saint Joseph Parish; Father Clarence J. Sandoval, pastor of St. Rose of Lima Parish; Deacon Manuel Trujillo; and St. Rose parishioner Don Esteban Alvarez; with the help of dozens of volunteers, presented different themes. The priests also heard confessions and celebrated Mass.

With focus on the theme "Spiritual Renewal," the goal of the retreat was to bring people to the full life of Jesus Christ and the Church through the power of the Holy Spirit.

The retreat occurred at the perfect time because the parish is trying to reinforce efforts to educate more people, "showing them what prayer is and also a charismatic way of prayer," said Fr. Sandoval.

People from all over the diocese attended the retreat.

"Beginning the journey of recognizing that everyone is loved by God with their sins is the first part of this retreat and then we’ll begin to recognize that we are sinners and we will be able to begin to find a way of healing," said Fr. Sandoval.

During the event some volunteers presented a retreat for the children, who were present in the hundreds, too.

Alvarez oversaw the organizing of the event. He also gave a presentation focusing on the different aspects of the Bible describing the rewarding of promises.

Fr. Cervantes focused on helping the people develop a sense of sin and learn the consequences that sin brings, but he also helped the parishioners find peace and be touched by the Holy Spirit through meditation, exercises, and examples, but most of all making sure that everyone knew that Jesus loves them and, through his mercy, is always present to them.

Rather than talking about others, "you need to stop, you need to grow, and leave the rest in peace. … You have to walk, you have to work, you have to be the start that guides people through the midst," said Fr. Cervantes.

The people then were invited to sit on the floor and meditate with their eyes closed. Other parishioners entered the room carrying a big crucifix, which was placed in front of all the attendees.

"Open your eyes. … Let’s see the person who is going to give us the next theme," said Fr. Cervantes. "I invited him yesterday and asked him to be here with us."

Fr. Cervantes continued: "I told him, ‘Lord, but we have sinned.’ He responded, ‘I want to be with them.’

"I said, ‘Lord, people don’t believe in you.’ He said, ‘I want to be with them. I want to be with them.’"

"He is here to be with us. He loves all, no matter what. He knows us. He gives us all his mercy when you reach him," said Fr. Cervantes, asking each of the participants to give their sins with God.

One by one each person took a little of mud out of a container, then rubbed it in to the image in the crucifix as a symbol of their sins.

"Tell him your sins. Ask him to forgive you. The Lord receives all your sins, all your anger, all your bad thoughts, all the prisons, all the envies. Leave all your fears here," Fr. Cervantes said.

The retreat was a powerful experience, some of the attendees said.

"I have attended several retreats, but today was different; I felt that Jesus really loves me. I regret all my sins and felt the Holy Spirit touching me," said Hugo, who declined to give his last name.

The retreat ended with a commitment from each participant that they would serve in some significant way at their parish.