Sr. Maria Regina Loures, IHM
Retreat Director, Bishop Molloy Passionist Retreat House, Jamaica, New York

My ministry at the Bishop Molloy Passionist Retreat House in Jamaica, New York is filled with a great variety of experiences. No two days are the same and that keeps us hopping and happy.

As in all our ministries, one needs to find support systems. I have found mine to be my own personal prayer which daily deepens my relationship with Jesus,  along with the tremendous support and understanding I receive from the sisters with whom I live. Our ministries and schedules differ greatly, but the strength of our collective commitment to Christ is our daily energizer.

I am also very blessed to be part of a talented and committed retreat team comprised of four Passionist priests and myself. Throughout the week we are involved in days/evenings of recollection, programs for junior and senior high school students, hosting parish groups, etc., but the highlight of any week is the weekend retreat that begins on Friday night and ends on Sunday at noon. It is touching to experience the reverence and care that go into the preparation for that experience.

As I arrive at the Retreat House on Friday morning, I am immediately aware of the housekeeping staff at work putting the final touches on every room. Vacuums can be heard through the house for most of the morning. The cook is busy planning the five weekend meals and wonderful aromas are already emanating from the kitchen.

The retreat team meets about 10 a.m. to pray for the retreatants. We have been mindful of them through the week but we hold them in prayer in a particular way at this time asking that they be opened to the many graces that will be offered to them.

We move carefully through each event of the retreat weekend making sure that we have done everything possible to make this retreat time a very holy experience for our guests.

The retreat groups vary (men, women, married couples, policemen, firemen, Matt Talbot groups, etc.) so the retreat program changes accordingly.

At lunch we continue to make sure that appropriate reading material, good music, quiet spaces, etc. are all readily available.

In the early afternoon we have the opportunity to move ourselves into a more reflective mode. It is time for our own immediate preparation and this takes quiet and prayer. It's wonderful to see how the house becomes very still in preparation for the warm welcome it will offer the 80-90 guests who arrive at the front door each week.

At 5:00 p.m. the pace picks up again. The cars arrive, the bags are unloaded and the front hall is filled with the chatter of nervous, tired people. All are at the end of a busy week. Some are facing the fear of the unknown as they embark on their first retreat experience.

There's lots to do and plenty to talk about. The veteran retreatants are a big help acquainting the others with the intricacy of this big building.

Dinner is a delightful time. People seem more relaxed and as 8:30 p.m  approaches the lounge is filled with people anxious to hear the first conference.

The day ends with night prayer in our beautiful chapel and the opportunity to spend as much time as one wishes in this holy place. I watch God's peace displace the fatigue and anxiety I saw earlier. The retreat is underway and the time will pass quickly.

Sunday will find these wonderful folks happy, excited and beaming with a renewed sense of commitment and contentment. This weekly miracle is what makes my ministry so worthwhile.