Special Mom's Retreat

This article was written by an attendee, Donna Gibson, to our 2007 Special Mom's Retreat.

 
Report on V.A.S.T. Network's 4th Annual Special Mom's Retreat

Well, Winter IS here, isn’t it? I long for the Spring again!!
It seems like only yesterday that I first saw the beautiful flowers at Sacred Heart Monastery in Cullman at the 2007 Mom’s Retreat. The excitement of having
a retreat in such a peaceful place really impacted me when I first saw Ave Maria Grotto! That was only the beginning! The miraculous structures there, worked by the gifted hands of a truly dedicated man, were simply…(may I use this overworked word)… Awesome!!

On then to the Monastery where the Sisters of the Sacred Heart Convent and Retreat Center were ready for us. We were ushered to our lovely building called Benet Hall in front of which is a lake with ducks and geese and great trees and benches to relax on. Our accommodations were so comfortable it was better than home. After we unpacked and put our things away in the kitchen, most of us took a walk around the lake side. (After a quick snack from all the goodies we brought with us.)

Our meals were wonderful, the tour of the beautiful old buildings, magnificent! The prayer Labyrinth was so restful and inspiring. We also visited the old Cemetery. Our benefit from listening to Christie teach, refreshing and encouraging, the congeniality of the Sisters of the convent was so warm that it felt like being with old friends.

I can’t wait until May 2008 to enjoy our next retreat there. The camaraderie of being together with home schooling Mom’s with special needs kids was such a
joy. The memory of it keeps me going through this blah winter!

Come! You’ll never miss it again!