Whenever I say that I’ve entered my fourteenth year of parish life, one thought comes to mind: where did all that time go? It has been over a decade of blessings, sharing life’s journeys, and everything that comes with being a parish priest.
Including how tired one can get.
Fatigue is normal. Yet for the clergy who live in rectories, getting away often requires more effort to separate oneself from everything to recharge.
Thankfully, we have a wonderful continuing education program to help us find ways to recharge. Within the listings of courses and other development programs, there is a section all about retreats. I looked through those listings, and after consulting my wife and my bishop, I booked my first non-diocesan retreat of my ministry.
Outside of Newfoundland. Outside of Canada.
I made the journey to the Society of St. John the Evangelist Monastery and Guest House in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Firstly, the international travel and border process was much easier in my experience than one would hear about on the news. Secondly, why Cambridge? Why not something local?
I’ve been a member of the Fellowship of St. John the Evangelist since 2022, and I was familiar with what the Monastery offered. I knew their rhythm, I was familiar with the Brothers, and it felt right.
So, in the middle of June, off I flew, solo, to somewhere I had never been before. Long story short, it’s somewhere I long to now return to.
I initially had no idea what to expect of the retreat itself. I knew it was a renewal retreat for active clergy. I figured I’d likely be the lone Canadian at an American monastery. Thankfully, I was one of three Canadians.
After gathering for the Eucharist, the twelve of us on retreat met with Brother Curtis Almquist, the facilitator. Brother Curtis gave us the schedule, and informed us that these were invitations instead of obligations. We were invited to take part in daily worship (Morning, Communion, Evening, and Compline) and to attend the two group sessions each day, but we didn’t have to.
The retreat was ours to do what we needed to do to recharge. Explore the area, relax on a park bench, take in the monastery’s library, whatever was needed for us. I was initially floored. I expected there to be multiple sessions with notes to be taken, adherence to the routine, and other preconceived notions of a silent retreat.But there was only one expectation: rest and recharge.
I explored Harvard Square and its museums and galleries. I explored the historic Mount Auburn Cemetery. I sat on a bench at JFK Memorial Park multiple times. I enjoyed the peace of the guest house. I immersed myself in the daily liturgies and mealtime fellowship with the Brothers. I had the most encouraging spiritual direction session with one of the Brothers.
And I flew back home with a new outlook on my ministry. Six days away from home, three days of silence, and a whole new outlook.
To my colleagues of excellence in ministry, if you can book a retreat away from the province, do so. Your batteries need the recharge; your soul needs the recharge.
Congregations and parishes: encourage your clergy to retreat for a few days. They need to be at their best for you all. And if you can friends, clergy and laity alike, I recommend retreating with the SSJE. It quickly became another spiritual home for me.
For more information, visit http://www.ssje.org
