This past February 7-9, 2020, marked the 2nd Annual Retreat for Volunteers and Ministers at St. Francis of Assisi. Thirty-three members of our parish, including the RCIA team, hospitality ministers, lectors, eucharistic ministers, and other St. Francis volunteers met at the Loyola Jesuit Center in Morristown, N.J. for a weekend of prayer and community. Our pastor, Fr. Andrew Reitz, O.F.M., and Joseph Nuzzi, Director of Evangelization, led the event, along with Meredith Augustin, Director of Music Ministries, and Ed Trochimczuk, Director of Volunteer Ministry.
The program was structured around the celebration of the Liturgy of the Hours with Night Prayer on Friday, Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer on Saturday, and Morning Prayer and Mass on Sunday. Inspired by St. Augustine’s writings, the weekend’s theme of “Restless Hearts” asked those in attendance to reflect on the ways we can strengthen our faith in a materialistic world. Participants shared in small groups how their faith informs their lives and guides their relationships. Special thanks to volunteer Jennifer Wiler, who helped organize the event, and to all those who attended.
