On August 10, the Diocesan Offices of Respect Life & Pastoral Care and Marriage & Family Life, along with Rachel’s Vineyard leaders and volunteers, gathered for a time of prayer and renewal at the Workers of the Vineyard Retreat at the Diocesan Pastoral Center.
“I believe it is important to offer a time throughout the year to serve the needs of the people that serve in our parishes under the respective ministries,” said Maria Valadez, Office of Respect Life & Pastoral Care Director.
The Workers in the Vineyard Retreat was focused on Saint Therese of Lisieux and her spirituality of “the Little Way.” St. Therese described her approach to spiritual life when she said, “I concluded that God would not inspire desires which could not be realized, and that I may aspire to sanctity in spite of my littleness. For me to become great is impossible. I must bear with myself and my many imperfections; but I will seek out a means of getting to Heaven by a little way—very short and very straight, a little way that is wholly new.”
“In the planning process for this retreat, in prayer, St. Therese came to mind, and she was perfect for what we wanted to bring for the ministers,” Valadez said.
There were four presentations given at the retreat, the first focused on prayer entitled, “Multiple Intelligence Test: Find Your Method of Prayer,” given by Mario and Paola Martinez from the Office of Marriage & Family Life. The second presentation, given by Rebecca Sylvia, focused on “Burnout and Compassion Fatigue in Ministry.” Then, Valadez led a “Spotting Strengths Activity” that was very meaningful to some participants.
“One participant shared that all his life he had felt worthless because of several issues in his life, but that this activity allowed him to hear and receive a different perspective on his life,” Valadez said. “For the first time he received positive affirmations that touched his heart.”
The last presentation was given by Carmelite Sister Carmelina Leland, from Sacred Heart Parish, in Palm Desert, who gave the English talk on St. Therese and her spirituality.
“It was absolutely beautiful,” Valadez said. “It was also a beautiful reminder that St. Therese lived through so much trauma in her life and most of the people that we serve, especially through Rachel’s Vineyard, deal with trauma. St. Therese really provided that opportunity for renewal and comfort.”
The Workers in the Vineyard Retreat was also a time for reconnection and networking. Many volunteers who attended had not seen each other in some time and it reignited a sense of service, encouraging them to come back and serve, Valadez said. There was also an opportunity for new volunteers to connect with long-time volunteers, and they were able to share ideas.
The retreat concluded with Adoration in the DPC chapel. Ending the day in the presence of Jesus was the perfect moment to soak in all the messages of the day, Valadez said. As a gift from St. Therese, every participant of the retreat went home with a rose.