St. Paul of the Cross Retreat Center

  Reflection from the Director

Updated: October 2007

Dear Friends of Saint Paul’s,

In February of this year I had the opportunity to introduce myself to you as the newly elected Rector of Saint Paul’s Monastery. Since then, our Provincial, Very Reverend Joseph Jones, and his Council, have designated Saint Paul’s Monastery and Retreat House as an Apostolic Center. In this model the Rector also serves as the Retreat Director. As Fr. Joe says in his message in this issue, this provides the opportunity for a more unified Passionist presence and mission.

This new direction for Saint Paul’s began to emerge during a series of Focus Group / Planning meetings that took place over a three-year period. In regard to all of our ministries, our first goal is to be of service to you in the spirit of the Gospel. In that regard we want to provide a welcoming environment and the opportunity for quality experiences that enhance spiritual growth and development.

Our blessings are many ~ a dedicated staff and ministerial team, many wonderful volunteers, countless individuals and families who support our ministries by their prayers and good works, and all of you ~ who share your faith with us in such inspiring ways. Working together as a community of faith, we are privileged to continue the work begun by Jesus.

As I begin my work at the retreat center, I look forward to working with the entire staff and am happy to welcome several new members to the ministerial team, some familiar to us. Fr. Bill Maguire, C.P. is joining us after serving on the retreat team at Calvary Retreat Center in Shrewsbury, MA. Fr. Richard Nalepa, C.P., former rector of Saint Paul’s, and Fr. Paul Vaeth, C.P., recently missioned at our house of prayer in Bedford, PA, will also serve in ministry at the retreat center. Frs. Bill, Richard, and Paul will introduce themselves to you in a more personal way in a future issue. Returning members of our team include Fr. Patrick Geinzer, C.P., Associate Retreat Director, Sister Mary Clark, S.C., Promotions Director, and Henry Caruso, Music Director.

I look forward to meeting you and hope that you will find our theme for this year, You Alone Are My God, to be meaningful for your reflection.

Let us pray for God’s blessings as we begin a new retreat season here at Saint Paul’s.

Yours in Christ,

Fr. Gerald Laba, C.P., Director