In this fast-paced time, many people feel overwhelmed by constant news and information, and seemingly can’t get away from conflict and noise. Now, with pandemic restrictions fading, some people are seeking a place where they can find what is missing.
“There is often a hunger to get away and feel the presence of God in a special way,” said Friar Jim Kent, who serves as director at Franciscan Retreats and Spirituality Center in Prior Lake, Minnesota. “The moniker on our sign says: Find the Missing Peace. People are looking for that. They want to unplug, find some quiet, and pray.”
Friar Jim said that over the course of a year, more than 1,000 people will spend time at Franciscan Retreats.
“Since August of last year things have come on like gangbusters,” he said. “Our weekend retreats are full, we’ve had lots of groups here from Tuesday through Friday, parishes and school groups. Some of our retreatants have been coming for fifty years. At some retreats we have two or three generations from one family – grandmother, mother, daughter; fathers and sons. That adds a wonderful dynamic.
In addition to Friar Jim, the seven-person retreat team includes four lay staff presenters, a music director, and Friar Jim Van Dorn, who has served in Prior Lake 52 years over four different assignments. The lay presenters have theology degrees and are certified spiritual directors. That adds an important component to the Franciscan Retreats experience.
“Spiritual direction is offered as part of our retreats, not as an added feature or expense,” Friar Jim said. “Friar Jim Van Dorn sees anywhere from 10 to 25 people each month for individual spiritual direction, and our lay staff members all have individual clients as well.”
Financial constraints can sometimes keep people from considering a retreat, but Friar Jim said that Franciscan Retreats has been able to maintain affordability.
“Lots of volunteers make it work,” he said. “We have a suggested offering for the cost but tell people to pay what they can.”
Even with that, Friar Jim acknowledges that not everyone who desires time away can get to a retreat center. He has advice for them.
“Make some space, carve out a place in your own environment, and set aside some time,” he said. “There are many podcasts and videos available daily and weekly. Watch or listen, then spend quiet time pondering that.”
On the Franciscan Retreats website are Spiritual Resources, including homilies given by Friar Howard Hansen. “He long ago went home to God, but his words and insights still inspire and challenge,” Friar Jim said. “Many people follow postings by Bishop Robert Barron or Friar Daniel Horan. There are so many outlets for spiritual nourishment. One only needs to search.”
To learn more about Franciscan Retreats in Prior Lake, visit their website at franciscanretreats.net. Other Conventual Franciscan retreat centers are located at Mount Saint Francis in southern Indiana (mountsaintfrancis.org), Marytown in Libertyville, Illinois (north suburban Chicago, kolbeshrine.org), and Holy Cross Retreat Center in Mesilla Park, New Mexico (holycrossretreat.org)
(The above is an excerpt from an article published originally in the Messenger of Saint Anthony magazine.)
