Marian retreat scheduled for St. George area

Intermountain Catholic

+ Enlarge

SAINT GEORGE — The Southwestern Deanery of the Salt Lake City Diocesan Council of Catholic Women is organizing a Marian retreat.

 Susan Espinoza, the DCCW Spirituality Commissioner, will present the retreat Oct. 20.

Originally the retreat was scheduled to be given in the spring, but it was rescheduled and now will be presented “in memoriam of Anne Smith, recently deceased member of the DCCW Spirituality Commission, who contributed to the creation of the retreat and who was originally scheduled to present it,” said Mary LeBaron, president of the Southwestern Deanery.

“The goal [of the retreat] is to help the ladies grow in faith,” said LeBaron, a parishioner of St. Paul Catholic Center in Hurricane.

She also hopes that being surrounded by other Catholic women will encourage the participants to support each other in their beliefs.

“I also like the ladies to be around other Catholics who will support them in their growth of faith,” LeBaron said. “Nowadays it is very important that everyone grows in faith. It is so easy to get discouraged, especially here, where we are so far apart, and in these turbulent times … we need a strong faith.”

At the retreat, the participants will get to know Mary better and will get to know Christ through Mary, LeBaron said.

Last year’s Southwestern Deanery retreat drew about 70 women from the area.

The Diocese of Salt Lake City has five deaneries, divided by regions. The Southwest Deanery, which was formed in 2014, includes Cedar City, Hurricane, St. George, Kanab, Central Valley, Fillmore, Beaver, Delta and Panguitch.

The retreat is free and open to all; free will offerings will be accepted. Reservations are requested so the lunch can be planned.

WHAT: Marian Retreat

WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 20, 9 a.m. to noon

WHERE: Saint George Catholic Church, 259 West 200 North, St. George

Free, but donations will be accepted. Lunch will be provided; RSVP to Mary LeBaron, mflebaron@yahoo.com or 435-632-1572.