Welcome to the First Day

Who am I? Why am I here? If God exists, where do I find him? What is the purpose of life? Is joy possible in the midst of so much suffering in my life and in the world?

A retreat is a special, precious opportunity to pause in your life, to rest in quiet time and nourish yourself spiritually, to regroup your energies so as to find peace of mind in the chaos that often fills all of our lives.

Day One of our retreat for Finding Joy offers reflections on the beginnings of life—God and his free, loving choice to create you and invite you to a personal relationship with him.

Take a deep breath for a moment to quiet your mind and heart, so as to prepare to be open in the journey to discover hope.

Do not be afraid; God is with you. A retreat can be a beautiful encounter with him; he speaks to you in many ways. Immerse yourself in the prayer experiences and rest in God.

A Prayer for the Day

     Heavenly Father, from all eternity you thought of me and loved me. In your plan you created me—and you created me good. If I really reflect on this, I am awe-struck. Of all possible people you could have created, you set your eyes on me and loved me into existence. From the beginning you have loved me unconditionally. I am a member of the great human family, called to be holy in love in your sight. In and through the life, passion, death and resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ, you have forgiven my sins and made me an adopted child of your infinite love. You have destined me for the unending joy of heaven—to be in a relationship of love with you now and forever. Because of your gracious free will, I have the dignity of being your child. You have made me good and loveable, graced by your faithful love with every spiritual blessing.

      Creator and Father, I pray for myself and for others who might have a poor image of fatherhood. In your infinite love reveal to us and all people your infinite goodness, love and care for us.

     Help me believe that I can be in relationship with you. May the reality of having been chosen for communion with you be an underlying source of joy and happiness to sustain me during the inevitable trials and sufferings I experience on my earthly journey. I trust in your love and your words: “Do not be afraid; I am with you!” (cf. John 6:20)

The Joy of Being Chosen by and for Love

My Child, you are not a mistake or a creature of chance. Before I created the world I had you in mind. I saw you in my Only Son and delighted in what I saw.

I danced for joy in creating you. I sustain you in life at every moment. I love you as though you were the only person in the world. Yes, you! You as you are—good and loveable and precious in my sight. Nothing you do can ever change my unconditional love for you.

I invite you to the joy of growing in a loving relationship with me.  I thirst for your love as I share my life with you in my Son Jesus Christ. Yes, my child, you have been chosen by and for LOVE.