Spiritual Renewal for All Abilities

Retreat. The business world adopted this important word from the spiritual milieu, but not necessarily the full richness of the concept. Retreat. A time of quiet; a time for prayer, reflection, meditation, a time to withdraw from the daily demands and noise of life to explore who you are, to explore your faith journey. I was lucky enough to have many opportunities for an annual week-long retreat and twice daily time for meditation built right into my schedule, for many years. It taught me the importance of planning for quiet, for a glaring absence from busy days in American life.

People with disabilities live with many challenges and some also have very few opportunities to have days away from home, days spent being an honored guest, where meals are ready and plans are ready to offer enrichment and friendship, surrounded by sixty acres of beauty. The weekend of May 18—20, they will have an invitation to step away and enjoy the campus grounds of the Franciscan Retreats in Prior Lake while they explore their faith journey and are free from the routine demands of life. People of all disabilities and all abilities are invited to share this opportunity together. All can join in a retreat and a beautiful extra—a chance to know and understand each other. You can learn about the retreat area at www.franciscanretreats.net.

Clarence and Nancy Schaddegg To make this all happen, there is a need for many volunteers. There is a need to help with transportation to and from the retreat, help with food service in the dining room, help with personal care assistance, assist with mobility concerns and limitations.

Clarence Schaddegg and his wife, Nancy, members of St. Joan of Arc Mental Illness Ministry, live with the challenge of visual disabilities. Clarence writes for Access Press, Minnesota’s Disability Community Newspaper. He is also the co-captain for the May 18—20 retreat planning committee, the coordinator of volunteers. All volunteers are welcome. Those interested in the opportunity for a retreat and/or for volunteering, may contact Clarence Schadegg at 612.798.5178 or clarence.schadegg@comcast.net.

Thank you for any way you offer to help people enjoy the days at the Franciscan Retreat.

Mary Paradis is a long time member of St. Joan of Arc with her husband, Claude. Mary is currently the co-chair of the Mental Illness Ministry. Mary can be reached at claudemaryparadis@comcast.net.