Young mothers' retreat will offer spirituality, friendship

Friday, Oct. 02, 2015

SALT LAKE CITY — Mothers of young children who are seeking a few hours of prayer and encouragement are invited to an evening of reflection in the Diocese of Salt Lake City.  

The retreat will allow the mothers to meet other women like themselves who are busy balancing the demands of family, jobs and service to others, said Susan Northway, Office of Religious Education director. 

“This is part of the New Evangelization and reaching out to different groups, especially as we begin the Year of Mercy,”  Northway said. “I certainly remember being a young mother in the cry room with my children during Mass. It is a place where you can’t hear as well, but you have a camaraderie with other mothers who have small children and infants; no one understands like somebody who is in that same position.”

Pope Francis called for an extraordinary jubilee year to begin Dec. 8; the theme of the year is mercy. The idea for the retreat came about when a local group of young mothers invited Dominican Fr. Wayne A. Cavalier, who will be the retreat presenter, to speak to them. 

The group has been meeting for more than a year at Blessed Sacrament Parish in Sandy for prayer, study and sharing. As a result they “have become more spiritually enriched, have received support, humor, and have shared similar challenges; they wanted to offer an evening of reflection to other young mothers in the diocese,” Northway said.

The event will reflect on Pope Francis’ Year of Mercy and “offering the young mothers spiritual nourishment and what that might mean for them as parents; also helping their children be merciful people,” said Fr. Cavalier. 

“It is great that there is a group [in the diocese] that is meeting to offer support and encouragement to young, Catholic mothers, and I am so delighted to be with them,” Fr. Cavalier said. “I will also be learning from them and what it means to be the mother of a young child in today’s world. I think it is a great challenge and a noble calling that they have, and I am going to do everything I can to encourage them and support them.” 

What: Young Mothers' Evening of Reflection

When: Thursday, Oct. 29, 7 – 9 p.m.

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

Free of charge. For information, contact Mary Arndt, 801-599-1735. RSVP and register at www.dioslc.org, then click on Upcoming Events on the main page.