On retreat 5 - 16 February

[Andruschak]

thecsd.com/

This retreat was originally planned as a mental health break away from the Post Office. Five month of working 6 days a week. Enough

But I have also asked for spiritual direction. I need to discuss what I should be doing after confirmation at the Easter Vigil. Should I continue the 4 year formation period with CFP? Am I honestly ready for the Montfort Consecration? How should I restructure my prayer life? That sort of thing.

But this may also be a good time to get some serious guidelines on doing my first confession. My current RCIA program is totally useless. There is a church nearby, and I would like to talk to the Priest about a private, conditional baptism, to avoid a public spectacle at the Easter Vigil.

For those of you who are wondering, whilst I’m gone, my Brother comes over once a day to feed and water the cats, and scoop out their litter boxes. The fee is $10/day.

I choose not to have internet access during these 12 days.

Some time ago, one of our Forum members sent me a 20 decade knotted twine rosary. I have not yet had the chance to sit down and do all 20 decades in one go. I should be able to do so on this retreat. Perhaps several times.

I will also be bringing along a lot of spiritual books I have been hoping to read Real Soon Now.

Thanks to all who have supported and encouraged me on my journey to date:thumbsup:

 

[LilyM]

How lovely!

I’ll pray for blessings on your retreat, Harry, as I do that your RCIA doesn’t drive you completely mad :whacky:

I’d be well impressed if you managed to do all 20 decades in one sitting. Don’t push yourself to do it though, please - you may end up with burnout and end up hating the Rosary, and we don’t want that :nope:

 

[puzzleannie]

sounds like an excellent idea, for the first reason listed, but even more so for the rest of your plan. My only concern is that you do not undertake spiritual disciplines that (at our advancing age) may threaten your physical health, and that you do so only under spiritual direction. That is why being in formation to the confraternity you have chosen is such a good idea, because some direction will be built in. I would advise, however, that you embrace the spirituality of that confraternity and not add devotions and practices on your own (other than those common to most Catholics). and not “shop around” for other groups to join once you are committed to CFP.

Memo to CANDIDATES in RCIA or Confirmation classes. You may make your first confession at any time you feel prepared and ready, after a good examination of conscience. The preparation and opportunity for confession provided by your program are to insure you get that opportunity, teaching on the sacrament, and preparation for it. That does not mean that is the first or only time you may confess. A retreat is always a good time for confession because you have the time and introspection for a good examination of conscience and reflection afterward.

My personal wish has always been that after RCIA you will become a sponsor for someone else and hopefully a catechist down the road, but with retirement on the horizon you may not be in the frame of mind to undertake that commitment. You would certainly be a member of my RCIA dream team.

 

[Andruschak]

How lovely!

I’ll pray for blessings on your retreat, Harry, as I do that your RCIA doesn’t drive you completely mad :whacky:

I’d be well impressed if you managed to do all 20 decades in one sitting. Don’t push yourself to do it though, please - you may end up with burnout and end up hating the Rosary, and we don’t want that :nope:

Don’t worry, I love the rosary, and know how to pace myself. I will use Susan Tassone’s booklet THE ROSARY FOR THE HOLY SOULS IN PURGATORY as my guide

 

[Andruschak]

Memo to CANDIDATES in RCIA or Confirmation classes. You may make your first confession at any time you feel prepared and ready, after a good examination of conscience. The preparation and opportunity for confession provided by your program are to insure you get that opportunity, teaching on the sacrament, and preparation for it. That does not mean that is the first or only time you may confess. A retreat is always a good time for confession because you have the time and introspection for a good examination of conscience and reflection afterward.

Thank you, and that is going to be my main focus. I have asked for, and will gladly pay for, frequent spiritual direction during this retreat. When all else fails, try following instructions.

 

[Andruschak]

Update on Sunday, 4 February, late afternoon

I went to Mass this morning at 11 AM, with the usual dismissal after the Homily. Some good news came up in the class.

But first, there was another thread about missalettes being allowed in Church. My church allowed the selling of The Saint Joseph Sunday Missal, prayerbook and hymnal for 2007. A bargain at $4.00

Next, our RCIA Instructor announced a slight change of plans. Candidates and catechumans go through the Rite Of Sending at the 11 AM mass on 25 February. But after that, ONLY the catecumans get sent to the Rite of Election at 6 PM. Us candidates get the Rite Of Calling the Candidates to Continuing Conversion at 6 PM on Sunday, 11 March

Minds have changed concerning my need for a conditional baptism. Not required.

My RCIA Instructor was worried about my missing the next sunday RCIA, when we were to start the reading of the scriptures for the three scrutinies. I showed her the pages in the Sunday Missal where they were printed. Of course I will re-read them on my retreat.

(I did a quick check earlier this afternoon. Nope, they haven’t changed much in the 50 years or so since I first read them. Some minor quibbles in translation, mostly.)

O yes, and we have a mini-retreat scheduled for Saturday, 10 March, 10 AM - 4 PM at a nearby Church. I’ll need to take two hours of vacation time to attend, arriving at work 5 PM instead of 3 PM.

Concerning another previous thread, it was mentioned that our 7 April Holy Saturday Morning Service at 7:45 AM was NOT a mass. The one and only mass will be the easter Vigil, and they encouraged me to show up in my full kilt outfit:thumbsup:

All in all, a productive session. Things are going well. Hope things are going well for you also.