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January 2011

Dear Friends of St. Lazare Retreat House  

“May the grace and peace of Our Lord Jesus be with you.”

Happy New Year!  May God bless you with greater faith, hope and love in 2011. 

New Year Resolutions. What resolution(s) have you made to draw closer to Jesus Christ and his Church during this new year? May I comment on two paths: one is more private and personal; the other, more public and institutional.  We need both of these routes in order to be fully Christian.  These two paths are not exclusive; they are to be integrated.  The principle is this: spirituality is rooted in personality, and spiritualities can change from one generation to the next.  Personality and generation, therefore, affect and direct our spirituality. Personality and generation will incline each person to emphasize one route or the other.  On the one hand, some people speak the mantra, “I’m spiritual, but not religious.” On the other hand, other folks may practice their religion intensely, but wish they could be more spiritual. How might we find the happy and virtuous medium?

Suggestions.   May I suggest the following: whichever path you normally emphasize in drawing closer to God, why not continue that path, but add some aspects of the other path. For example, if you prefer to play alone and rarely go to church, go to Mass every Sunday and praise God by listening to God’s Word in the Scriptures and its reflections in the homily, and by receiving the Sacrament of Communion with Our Lord.  If you prefer to pray alone, why not join a prayer group at church or invite your family members to pray with you at home. If it’s been a long time since you went to confession, go to confession, and undoubtedly you’ll be better and feel better.  On the other hand, if you go to church every Sunday, but rarely pray alone at home, identify a time and place where you can pray privately for a while.  If you hear the Scriptures at Mass, but rarely read them at home, purchase a Bible with ample introductions and footnotes so that you might understand and appreciate better what you are reading.  Many of us pray at home and church for the same needs, why not broaden our petitions to include people of other Christian denominations, non-Christian religions, people of our continent and hemisphere, and people of all continents. Jesus welcomes all people.  By the grace of the Holy Spirit, may each of us broaden and deepen our relationship with Jesus and all God’s people in this new year.

Prayer Requests. Please note that the priests at St. Lazare are happy to pray for you and your petitions. If you have some prayer in which you wish the priests here to join you, simply contact the Business Manager, Debbie Garbarino, and she will hand your request to the priests.

Wish List.   As we begin a new year, we at St. Lazare have created a wish list.  If you might be willing to assist us in outfitting St. Lazare Retreat House in its ongoing needs, your kindness will be most appreciated by the priests, staff and all retreatants.

• 1).  The old John Deere tractor has seen its last days; it breaks down repeatedly and frustrates our trying to mow the lawn, pick up the leaves, or plow snow. We are investigating the purchase of a used tractor which we have priced at $18K.
• 2).  The stained glass windows in the chapel are in need of re-grouting, and replacement of some few small pieces which are cracked. Stained glass windows normally need repair every 65 years or so; our beautiful windows have been in place for 57 years. The owner-operator of a seven generation family owned business of stained glass window installers has offered to do this work in the spring time for $8K. 
• May God continue to bless you and all that you do.

Sincerely in Jesus Christ and St. Vincent de Paul,

Fr. Vincent J. O’Malley, CM

Director

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SAVE THE DATE:  St. Lazare Retreat House Golf Tournament, Thursday, JUNE 16, 2011.

Grand Haven Golf Club, $85 per golfer, or $300 for foursomes; with a shotgun start at 9AM followed around 1:00PM by lunch and the awarding of prizes.

Men and women golfers, I hope to form two committees: one, about a dozen people to start filling in foursomes, at a max of 31; and another, about a dozen people to identify and approach vendors to sponsor tees and greens at $100 per sponsorship, towards a goal of 36 sponsors.  I hope to have these committees in place by January 31. If you are interested, please contact Dan Garbarino or me. 

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Special note: The printer erroneously, identified last month’s statement as Jan. 2011. Thus we have posted all donations as Dec. 2010 unless you noted otherwise on your statement.  We’re sorry for any inconvenience this may cause you.

Also, some Sac. Club members have requested that once they have made their annual donation, that we no longer send them a statement. Unfortunately, to continue to differentiate our mailing would be quiet costly in time and postage. If you’ve already made a monthly or yearly donation please just disregard it.  Thank you.

 

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