Events

Ministry/House of Prayer/Events

Enlightening conversations

Enlightening conversations is the opportunity to listen to a topic of common interest, engage in fruitful discussion and conversation, share personal experiences and participate in a fraternal happy hour and a delicious dinner. Join us! Our gathering will begin with a presentation at 4:00 pm followed by an open sharing/discussion and happy hour. Dinner will be served at 6:15.

Enlightening Conversations will be held this fall at the House of Prayer in Orange. Priests will be contacted directly by Fr. Domenico with specific dates and times.

Personal and small group retreats

Dear brothers, the House of Prayer has been open and active to receive you, all along this time of the Covid-19 Pandemic and the reopening of our churches. It has continued to be a space of peace, reflection and prayer, and an oasis to rest from the many endeavors you have in your hands.

Due to the cancellation of our Priests Retreat, the House of Prayer is also open for personal and small groups’ retreats. You can come and do a Silent Personal Retreat or a Personal Directed Retreat. In this later case, I offer to talk to you and find a way to reflect on the theme of your choice.

For Small Group Retreats, with no more than six people, due to the social distance, here are some themes that might be useful:

  • Essential Components of a Happy Priestly Life.
  • Pope Francis and the Seven Pillars of Priesthood.

However, please know that I am also open to hear from the small group, if the group decides on another theme, and work together with you in framing the theme.

During these days, you will have the opportunity to avail yourself to the Sacrament of Reconciliation and Spiritual Direction. Mass will be offered every day at 5:00 pm, followed by happy hour and communal dinner.

To facilitate your personal schedule and needs, breakfast and lunch are on your own. The house will provide all that is needed, and I will be very happy to offer all the necessary information.

Change of Assignment: An Opportunity for Personal and Spiritual Growth

“The apostles to Jesus and reported to him all that they had done. He said to them, ‘Come by yourselves to an out-of-the-way place and rest a little.”.

Mk 6:30-31.

This retreat invitation is extended to priests of our Diocese transitioning from one assignment to another so they may prayerfully and gratefully evaluate the positive as well as the challenging aspects of their past pastoral assignments, as they initiate their new ones.

In this way the good may flourish and past missteps might be avoided. Particular focus of this retreat will be relations with other priests of the parish, parochial coworkers, parishioners, and especially the Lord himself.

The format can be adapted to an individual person or, if you prefer, to a small group of friends who are open to share their findings.

Two days at the House of Prayer make the right fit for this experience.

Life, Death, Grief and Peace

“Blessed are they who mourn for they will be comforted.”

Mt. 5:4

Even through firm in our faith, we all must still face and to try to gracefully process the loss of our beloved mothers, fathers, sisters or brothers. Only our hearts can voice this grief.

“Life, Death, Grief and Peace,” is a half day sharing session that extends a warm invitation to face these losses, heal our grief and find the way to the interior peace. It is the Risen Lord, who comforts the mourning. Personal reflections will be followed by sharing with brother priests, who have previously traveled this path.

Heart to Heart: From Pope Francis to His Priests

“Remember, where your treasure is, there your heart is also.”

Mt. 6:21.

On the 160th anniversary of the death of the Curé of Ars, Pope Francis offers “a word to each one of us priests who, often without fanfare and pat personal cost, amid weariness, infirmity and sorrow, carry out your mission of service to God and to your people.”

Amid the pain and confusion caused by the sexual abuse crisis, Pope Francis now expresses his gratitude to each of his brother priests for answering God’s call to love and service. He invites us to recognize our need for comfort and encouragement and invites us to accompany Mary in her hymn gratitude.

For half a day, we reflect Pope Francis’ words, pray and consider their application in our priestly lives; sharing of our own reflection with brother priest will follow.