'Lighten Up!' in Moab

Intermountain Catholic

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Dominican Fr. Peter Do

MOAB — An Advent retreat in the eastern part of the Diocese of Salt Lake City will be the first time in many years "where people from this area can come together as a Church and have some prayer and … to socialize, because we’re having a potluck and people can visit and get to know each other from different parishes in the deanery," said Father Bill Wheaton, pastor of Saint Pius X Parish in Moab, which is hosting the retreat.

Dominican Father Peter Do, associate pastor of Saint Catherine of Siena/Newman Center in Salt Lake City, will present the retreat, along with Jeanne and Henry Lachowski, St. Catherine of Siena parishioners.

The retreat’s theme, "Lighten Up! It’s Advent," has a double meaning, Fr. Peter said.

"We’re waiting for the light of Christ, for the birth of Christ, but also lighten up in the sense of ‘relax!’" because preparing for Christmas can be stressful with the present-shopping, card-sending and parties, he explained.

Each of the presenters will give a talk, and all will include humor, he said. The retreat will also allow time for reflection and group discussion.

Jeanne Lachowski has been a retreat master for many years, Fr. Peter said. The couple has also served as Maryknoll missionaries.

All are invited to the retreat, Fr. Peter said. "I hope that they come out of this retreat with the experience of peace, that the reason for the season is not to do all the shopping and make themselves crazy, but to lighten up and also to recognize the light of Christ in their lives."

A sense of peace is "one of the fruits of the Spirit," he added. "If you have this interior life and all you feel is storm – nobody wants that. I think we all want a sense of peace, a sense of hope, and that’s the fruit of the Spirit living in you, if you’re living that spiritual life of prayer."

Taking a bit of time to prepare spiritually for Christmas is important, said Fr. Wheaton, adding that the Sacrament of Penance will be offered during the retreat, which will close with a vigil Mass.

Like Fr. Peter, Fr. Wheaton hopes those who attend the retreat leave with a sense of peace, but he also sees it as a good opportunity for those who live in the Eastern Deanery to socialize.

"We share so many common concerns, being in the missions in southeastern Utah, because there’s an isolation just being on the other side of the mountains," he said. "We have a shared experience of Church that you don’t have along the Wasatch Front. We have different needs down here, and I think having people come together and be able to share that, to talk and get know to each other, is good for people. You don’t feel that isolation so much."

WHAT: Advent retreat

WHEN: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7

WHERE: Saint Pius X Catholic Church, 122 West 400 North, Moab

Registration: $10; send to St. Pius Church, PO Box 636, Moab, UT 84532

Bring your Bible. A light breakfast will be provided; those attending are asked to bring a favorite salad, casserole or dessert for a potluck lunch. For information, call Jeanne Lachowski, 801-580-2513.