OLATHE — Santa Marta, a senior living community here sponsored by the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, recently hosted a five-day Advent retreat that brought residents together in prayer, reflection and renewed spiritual connection.
From Dec. 6-10, Vincentian missionary Father Richard Gielow led the retreat, and offered daily Mass, ecumenical reflections and opportunities for spiritual counsel to residents, families and friends of the community.
Father Richard, a nationally recognized retreat director and preacher, serves as director of the Vincentian Parish Mission Center in Independence, Missouri, and as national spiritual adviser to the Ladies of Charity of the United States of America. He stayed on campus throughout the visit, allowing for more opportunities for connection during the sacred season.
The retreat marked several meaningful firsts for Santa Marta, including the first Masses ever celebrated in the community’s health care chapel on Dec. 6 and 7. Father Richard also led one-hour interfaith reflection sessions open to individuals of all faith traditions, emphasizing themes of Advent — hope, peace, joy and love.
“Faith is at the heart of everything we do at Santa Marta,” said Colleen Hollestelle, president and CEO of Santa Marta. “Bringing Father Gielow to our campus created a beautiful opportunity for residents to pause, reflect and reconnect spiritually during Advent. The impact was deeply felt across our community.”
Each reflection session was preceded by a half hour of music and art, offering residents a contemplative space to prepare their hearts and minds. Father Richard was also available throughout his stay for the sacrament of reconciliation, spiritual guidance and individual pastoral conversations.
Residents described the retreat as uplifting, personal and deeply meaningful.
“What a blessing,” said resident Pam Morrison, who helped plan the retreat. “Given the depth and breadth of Father Gielow’s training and experience, I was impressed by how down-to-earth, approachable, humorous and pastoral he was. We walked out feeling encouraged and renewed.”
“Father Gielow was a speaker who lifted me up,” said resident Marilyn Bohnert. “I felt ‘born again.’ He helped us seniors look forward with hope to what’s still to come.”
For resident David Groebe, the timing of the retreat was especially meaningful.
“Advent is such a sacred, joyful time, and so often I miss it because of the distractions of the season,” he said. “This retreat helped us truly tune into the hope, peace, joy and love of Advent.”
“Father Gielow was wonderful and so engaging,” said resident Michelle Hamel. “He captured 100 percent of my attention, and I felt like he was speaking directly to me.”
The Advent retreat was an example, said an organizer, of Santa Marta’s ongoing commitment to spiritual vitality and lifelong faith formation, offering residents meaningful opportunities to grow, connect and worship within a supportive Catholic community.
As the season drew to a close, the conversations, reflections and renewed sense of purpose sparked by Father Richard’s visit continue to resonate throughout the Santa Marta campus — strengthening both faith and fellowship among those who call it home.
