Second annual retreat teaches men to surrender to God

Intermountain Catholic

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Three dozen men gathered on an undeveloped site in Idaho for a three-day retreat. Courtesy photo

Courtesy of Saint Mary Parish

WEST HAVEN — The second annual St. Mary Parish Men’s Retreat brought a diverse group of 36 together for spiritually, social time and fun Aug. 10-12 at a privately owned site near Bloomington, Idaho. The retreat was led by the parish pastor, Father Gustavo Vidal, and was attended by men not only from the home parish but other parishes in Utah, as well as an Air Force officer stationed in California and one man from Colombia.

The retreat theme was based on the book "Surrender! The Life-Changing Power of Doing God’s Will" by Father Larry Richards, who also wrote "Be A Man," which was the basis for last year’s retreat.

The men grappled with Fr. Richards’s central question: "What is it in your life that you hold on to so tightly that you cannot surrender it in order to receive everything God wants to give you?" They explored the question through practical exercises in which they all participated.

The retreat reached its climax when Fr. Vidal draped a Blessed St. Benedict Crucifix around the neck of each man who was new this year while the "ole’ timers" humbly wore the same Crucifix they received at last year’s retreat.

This year’s retreat was hailed as "even better than last year." Fr. Vidal emphasized the importance of fathers and their adult sons to attend; the youngest man of the retreat group stated, "I was totally ‘stoked’ and can’t wait to go again next year."

To keep the men focused on their spirituality now that the retreat has ended, Fr. Vidal has instituted a monthly gathering at the parish. They will study "We Pray" by Fr. Oscar Lukefahr, C.M.

A compilation of pictures and video testimonies from this year’s retreat will be available on the St. Mary Catholic Church website, www.stmarysutah.org.