Seniors' retreat to focus on Works of Mercy

Friday, Oct. 02, 2015

SALT LAKE CITY — All Catholics in the Diocese of Salt Lake City age 50 and older are invited to participate in a retreat that will help them prepare to celebrate the Year of Mercy.

Having a retreat for seniors “recognizes a full group of people in Salt Lake who has historically been involved with the community – in supporting it and being a part of it,” said Dominican Fr. Wayne A. Cavalier, who will be the retreat presenter.

The retreat “is going to be focused on the kind of things that Pope Francis addressed in his papal bull ‘Miseriecordiae Vultus,’” the document that the Holy Father issued in calling for the Year of Mercy, said Fr. Cavalier.

Seniors “will remember the more traditional concept of the Spiritual and Corporeal Works of Mercy that the pope wants to re-emphasize and bring back,” Fr. Cavalier said. “It’s an opportunity for them – for all of us – to reflect on ‘What would it mean to bring that very traditional teaching of the Church into a contemporary perspective?’”

Fr. Cavalier said that “anyone who is interested in the message of Pope Francis and preparing … for a rich experience of God’s mercy during the Year of Mercy” should attend the retreat.

In these times of divisiveness, particularly in the political season, “it would be good to spend some time just reflecting on the concept of mercy, and how to understand that today,” Fr. Cavalier  said.

The retreat has been organized by the Diocese of Salt Lake City Office of Religious Education. 

“Our mission is to celebrate and live the redeeming love of Our Lord Jesus Christ in Utah,” said Susan Northway, director of the religious education office.

What: A Retreat Day for Seniors

When: Thursday, Oct. 29, 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Where: Saint Vincent de Paul Parish’s Benvegnu Center, 1375 E. Spring Lane, SLC

Includes Mass and lunch. Suggested donation: $15. To register, call Susan Northway, 801-328-8641 ext. 326 or visit www.dioslc.org, then click in Upcoming Events on the main page.