St. Mary's Hosts a Practicing Gratitude Retreat
-
December 20, 2022o prepare spiritually for the celebration of Christmas, St. Mary’s Assumption Parish in New Orleans offered an inspirational Advent retreat on December 3.
Participants included some Redemptorist confreres in New Orleans, local Redemptorist Partners in Mission, staff of the Blessed Francis X. Seelos Center, parishioners, and friends of the parish.
Fr. Allan Weinert, pastor, accompanied those gathered with his presence and prayer interventions. Fr. Dominic Bao Tran, parochial vicar, collaborated with the parish Spirituality Development Committee to produce the “Practicing Gratitude” retreat and served as moderator. He also enhanced the prayerful atmosphere playing guitar and singing Advent hymns.
Suzy Davies, a professor of Social Work at Tulane University and a new parishioner, led a reflection on the theme. Participants enjoyed small group discussions about practicing gratitude from their own life experiences.
Deacon Michael Thien Hoang gave very good introductory remarks and an insightful closing reflection on “Christian gratitude.” Everyone left the retreat with a simple and concrete action plan for bringing gratitude into their daily routine during Advent and beyond.