Latest retreat

I've really had good opportunities to escape the daily routine lately. First a trip to visit friends and, shortly thereafter, a joint retreat of the Minnesota and Wisconsin chapters of the Society of the Holy Trinity.

It should be noted that these two overnight trips occurred within four days, during which time we also had two funerals. (I missed one and participated in the other.) I've been in on nine funerals in the last 11 weeks, so it was wonderful to have a couple chances to be refreshed after a busy period of Lenten responsibilities and much sorrow.

This retreat was in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and it was one case where the setting and scenery were almost as life-giving as the prayer and fellowship of the retreat, which is always a great source of sustenance. I got to revel in the most gloriously perfect weather we've had so far this spring in the beautiful setting of the St. Bede Monastery retreat center.








We were blessed with two days of perfectly cloudless, bright blue sky.




Sadly, St. Bede Monastery is closing next week and the nine remaining sisters will move. They have transferred their membership to St. Benedict's Monastery in St. Joseph, Minnesota. This unfortunate reality made our time there all the more poignant, and it was a privilege to pray evening prayer with the sisters in their chapel so soon before they have to leave it.








The rest of the facility was also accommodating and comfortable.








And, as I said, the scenery was breathtaking. Tomorrow I'll post more pictures from the drive back to Minnesota, when we wound our way along the Mississippi River for a while.