Attending a retreat is not the same as taking a vacation, said Bob Beck, director of marketing and operations at Franciscan Retreats and Spirituality Center in Prior Lake.
Purposely setting aside time for a retreat enables time to grow in and explore one’s faith, “and sometimes, it’s not a very active thing at all, but you’re just there, spending time with the Lord,” Beck said.
“Practicing Catholic” radio show host Patrick Conley recently interviewed Beck about the value of retreats. Having focused time away from home eliminates distractions, Beck said. “You don’t have to worry about the phone ringing,” something breaking at home that needs to be fixed, a friend or relative stopping by to chat … , Instead, time at a retreat is “set aside for you to really recharge mentally, spiritually and physically,” Beck said.
Franciscan Retreats and Spirituality Center offers day-long, three-day weekend, and longer retreats, as well as silent and “talking” retreats. Conference retreats, men’s retreats, women’s retreats and married couples’ retreats are also offered, Beck said. The center also offers “serenity retreats” for people in recovery and a retreat for those in grief. A family retreat will be offered in October, Beck said.
Many people say retreats “bring out the best in themselves,” Beck said. They may have been skeptical walking in, but as the retreat unfolds, “all these wonderful things happen,” and often at unexpected times, he said. “Little by little through the weekend, you recharge your batteries,” he said. People leave with “much more bounce in their step than when they walked in.”
Attendees often learn of the retreat center by word of mouth, an endorsement that’s “tough to beat,” Beck said, especially when attendees tell family and friends they had “a wonderful time,” “it just recharges my soul,” “it’s my spiritual booster shot; I think you’d like it, too.”
During the interview, Conley asked Beck for some of the signs that indicate someone is in need of, and a good candidate for, a retreat. To hear his response and for more details about the types and value of retreats, including specifics on those offered by Franciscan Retreats and Spirituality Center, listen to this episode of “Practicing Catholic,” which debuts at 9 p.m. July 21 on Relevant Radio 1330 AM and repeats at 1 p.m. July 22 and 2 p.m. July 23. Visit the retreat center’s website at FranciscanRetreats.net.
Listen to interviews after they have aired at PracticingCatholicShow.com or choose a streaming platform at anchor.fm/practicing-catholic-show.
