Parish hosts retreat for Year of Mercy

Friday, Oct. 21, 2016

By Christine Sharer 

and Ildiko Haycock

Special to the Intermountain Catholic

ALTA — St Vincent de Paul parishioners, guest and friends gathered for a parish retreat on Oct. 1 at the Albion Base Lodge in Alta. The retreat was planned and facilitated by the Parish Advisory Committee in celebration of Pope Francis’ Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy.

In August, the parish began weekly reflections on the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy. This activity, which continued through September, was designed to prepare the community for the retreat and to encourage the personal practices of mercy.

On Oct. 1, a golden blaze of autumn aspen greeted participants as they made their way up the canyon. The light morning drizzle, complete with rainbow, cleared just in time for sung Morning Prayer against an extraordinary mountain backdrop. Following this song of praise of creation, Father John E. Norman, St. Vincent de Paul pastor, celebrated Mass and used his homily to explore themes of mercy for the day.

The 74 participants, in table discussion and personal reflection on Scripture, shared experiences of mercy in their own lives, the challenges of mercy in personal relationships, and a commitment to mercy in action in the world.

Opportunities for fellowship over lunch and a closing prayer service completed a prayerful and engaging day, generating many requests to make a retreat experience an ongoing part of parish life. 

Christine Sharer and Ildiko Haycock are St. Vincent de Paul parishioners.