Lenten retreat to offer spiritual direction, donate to charity

Friday, Feb. 12, 2016

ST. GEORGE — Saint George Parish will host a Lenten retreat, open to all in the community, on March 5.

The Lenten Giving Spirit Retreat is organized by the Women’s Board Club. 

“We wanted to illustrate how something special can happen when we all work together in a parish and in our community  using our God-given time and talents,” said Bonnie Ardnt, a Women’s Board Club member and one of the organizers of the retreat.

The retreat has two main goals. 

“One goal is that everyone that attends it gets a spiritual direction in their lives, and the other is that we help the Switchpoint Community Resource Center to have a better playground for their children,” said Ardt.

Switchpoint Community Resource Center helps the homeless in the St. George area to find independence and redirect their lives. According to the center website the center can accommodate up to 64 people who are in need of temporary housing; since it opened in 2014, it has been filled to capacity.

The Center offers living quarters, meals, and services such as case management, transportation vouchers and assistance finding affordable housing. It also has a  food pantry.

Although there is no cost to attend the parish retreat, those attending are asked to donate $10, which will go to the resource center, Ardnt said.

All of the speakers at the retreat are members of the local community.

Father Rick Sherman, pastor of Christ the King Parish, will present “What it means to love;” Carol Drake, a St. George parishioner and member of the diocesan Stewardship Committee, will have the topic “Volunteering and Discipleship;” Carol Hollowell, director Switchpoint Community Resource Center, will discuss the resource center and how people can help those most in need in the area; and a guest speaker who is a client of Switchpoint will present his or her testimony of life.

“We tried to really work hard on the theme of stewardship because we are all looking for stewardship in our parish,” said Ardnt. “Hearing these messages, hopefully, will change people’s hearts to be more merciful to others and to help them.”

After the daylong retreat, the Stations of the Cross will be prayed.

For information or to RSVP, call Bonnie Arndt, 435-674-0231.

WHAT: Lenten retreat

WHEN: Saturday, March 5, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. 

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

DONATION: $10