An Advent Spiritual Exercises for Women was held at Living Waters Catholic Reflection Center in Maggie Valley Nov. 29-Dec. 2. The group of retreatants is pictured after Mass at St. Margaret of Scotland Church, which is located near Living Waters. (Photo provided) MAGGIE VALLEY — Approximately 30 women from different parts of North Carolina and Georgia recently gathered at Living Waters Catholic Reflection Center in Maggie Valley, surrounded by the beautiful North Carolina mountains, for a silent retreat on the spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola with Father Richard Sutter, parochial administrator at St. John the Evangelist Church in Waynesville.
The three-day retreat Nov. 29-Dec. 2 was a first for the area, held at the newly-renovated reflection center. Participants enjoyed ample time for reflection and prayer, daily Mass celebrated by Father Sutter, as well as mealtime readings by Deacon Bill Shaw, Living Waters’ new director.
“This was a beautiful way to start our Advent journey,” said one retreatant from St. Joseph Church in Bryson City. “Enriching, down to earth, but heaven sent.”
Another retreatant from St. Margaret Mary Church in Swannanoa was similarly inspired. “I go to the gym to work out regularly. This retreat helped me to understand I need to go to the ‘gym’ for my soul. Spiritual exercises are crucial to a life of faith.”
Barbara Veghte of St. John the Evangelist Church pointed out that the complicated spiritual exercises were simply explained so that her heart grew closer to the Trinity and Blessed Virgin Mary.
“Being in silence with other women in community at retreat was a beautiful gift as I carry Bethlehem back home in my heart,” said Rebecca Crowe Burch, a parishioner from St. Joseph in Bryson City.
“The last retreat I went on was my marriage encounter in 1985. This retreat was the perfect one to attend after so many years,” said Kim Mooney from St. Barnabas Church in Arden. “The silence gave time to reflect, listen and pray.”
“Here I found true reality – an encounter with Christ that I’ve never experienced before. My heart is on fire with the Holy Spirit. Thanks be to God for the women’s Advent retreat,” said Kim Besel from St. Teresa of Avila Church in Augusta, Ga.
Father Sutter said he plans to offer a similar retreat for men next Lent, and repeat the women’s retreat next Advent. Each retreat will be limited to 40 people.
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Learn more about the Living Waters Catholic Reflection Center online at www.catholicretreat.org.
— Susie Bryson, Correspondent