Regional retreat weekends have now become a fixture in the ACE Fellowship calendar throughout each Lenten and Easter season. ACE grads, spouses, and friends have been taking advantage of these weekends as a time for prayer, reflection, relaxation and even some adventure…!
This year, we’ve taken our retreat theme from Henri Nouwen’s “Life of the Beloved” and the multiplication of the loaves and fishes gospel story. For each retreat, representatives from the ACE Fellowship staff team up with a chaplain to guide the group through reflections on the theme and related scripture passages.
The retreat tour started out in early February with the Boston Fellowship gathering out on Cape Cod. We were excited to have Fr. Jim Lies, CSC make it all the way out from Portland, Oregon to serve as the chaplain. This group of ACE, ND grads, and friends bonded over clam chowder, heated rounds of Balderdash, and a thrilling excursion to…Plymouth Rock!
The South Bend Fellowship retreat was set on the shores of Lake Michigan. Fr. Lou DelFra, CSC led prayerful reflections as well as a snowy trek on the dunes. Allison Ricci (ACE 10) coming in from Detroit and Casey McCloskey (ACE 8) from Akron got prizes for having traveled the furthest…
For the second year in a row, the Seattle Fellowship headed west to the shores of the Pacific to retreat in Grayland, Washington. Cozy cottages and glowing fireplaces created a relaxing atmosphere and when the clouds broke on Saturday afternoon the group took to the beach. Fr. Paul Magnano from the Archdiocese of Western Washington served as chaplain along with Fr. Lou DelFra.
The Chicago Fellowship hosted a 24 hour get-away at a retreat center located in the heart of Lincoln Park. The Chicago group was blessed with the first warm day of Spring and spent an afternoon enjoying Lincoln Park and the beautiful Conservatory gardens. We had the pleasure of Fr. David Scheidler, CSC serving as chaplain for the third year in a row. ACE 10 and ACE 11 class members were out in full effect!
Chicago Fellowship at the Centacle Retreat Center
The Los Angeles Fellowship is always blessed with a beautiful retreat location thanks to generous friends of the ACE program. ACE and PLACE graduates, as well as the ACE teachers serving in the LA area, gathered at the Larkin family home in Oceanside, CA. Prayer, reflection, good conversations a boat trip out on the ocean was enjoyed by all. Both Fr. Tim Scully, CSC and Fr. Lou DelFra, CSC served as chaplains for the retreat. Erica and Mariaelena Amato's newborn baby boy, Tommy, was also in attendance!
ACE and PLACE participants at the Larkin family home in Oceanside, CA.
The Bay Area Fellowship took the initiative to organize their own retreat in northern California, inviting both ACE and ND graduates to their regional gathering. The weekend was coordinated by Michael Downs (ACE 7) and Karen Hammen (ACE 11) and was attended by those in the San Francisco area.
The final regional retreat of the year, hosted by the Dallas Fellowship, was located at a cozy lake house just south of the city. Both ACE graduates and friends gathered for a 24-hour retreat experience and were able to have Fr. Lou DelFra, CSC join them for the weekend. This lively group enjoyed reflection, prayer, quality conversations and plenty of time to soak up the Texas sun.
Dallas retreat participants enjoying the sun at the lakehouse.
Check out a slideshow of the ACE Fellowship 2007 Regional Retreats.
Click here RegionalRetreats2007.mov