by Jill Ragar Esfeld
jill.esfeld@theleaven.org
ATCHISON — The last retreat hosted by the Sophia Spirituality Center here before it closed due to COVID was multicultural.
It was an outstanding success.
“Sophia was packed,” said Sister Carol Ann Petersen, OSB, director of the center. “Our chapel was overflowing, and everyone experienced such joy and was so open to everyone.
“We have been waiting anxiously to be able to host this retreat again.”
The wait is over. On April 16, the archdiocesan office of evangelization, in collaboration with Sophia Spirituality Center, is inviting all Catholic women to experience another multicultural bilingual retreat at the center.
The retreat is themed: “Mercy, Healing and Hope.”
Facilitated by Mary Kay Whitacre and Karla Melgar, it will be presented in Spanish and English.
Melgar, a member of St. Paul Parish in Olathe, is a consultant for the evangelization office.
Originally from San Salvador, El Salvador, Melgar is bilingual and has a wealth of experience working in the fields of evangelization, catechesis, leadership and spiritual mentorship.
Whitacre, associate director of Souljourners, provides spiritual direction and supervision and leads a variety of retreats.
She has worked in pastoral ministry in the Catholic Church for more than 45 years.
The bilingual retreat coincides with Divine Mercy Sunday, and that’s no coincidence.
“Divine Mercy Sunday flows from the feast of Easter and celebrates the gift of love that comes from the paschal mystery,” said Sister Carol Ann. “Easter and mercy are worth celebrating.
“What better time to invite women to join our community in Eucharist than the Sunday after Easter?”
Indeed, this Divine Mercy Sunday experience will include Mass with the Benedictine Sisters, brunch and contemplative experiences.
The retreat offers an opportunity for participants to reach across the English- Spanish language barrier to extend mercy, healing and hope to each other.
“We usually stay in our own neighborhoods with our family and small group of friends,” said Sister Carol Ann. “We have so few opportunities to interact with people who are not just like us.
“But our faith teaches us to value differences because our diversity makes us more truly reflect the mystery of Christ in our world.”
“Just as we marvel at the variety of beautiful flowers and birds God created,” she continued, “so, too, should we marvel and delight in the beauty of each person, especially those who reflect a different face of Jesus.”
Spring is a time of renewal as nature wakes up in a display of beauty all around us, and it’s the perfect time to experience something new and wonderful.
That’s the hope for this bilingual retreat.
“I hope [participants] take away joy and a sense that we are all one church,” said Sister Carol Ann. “We find Christ in one another.
“God loves diversity and takes delight when we, too, love every single person and created thing.”
Catholic Women’s retreat set for April 16
This is a bilingual retreat in Spanish and English.
Let’s reach across the language barrier to extend mercy, healing and hope to each other. This Divine Mercy Sunday experience will include Mass with the Benedictine Sisters, brunch and contemplative experiences.
April 16
9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
At Sophia Spirituality Center in Atchison
Facilitated by Mary Kay Whitacre and Karla Melgar
Suggested offering: $35
