"Because he, who is harmony, always keeps creativity and simplicity together, inspires communion and sends out on mission." (General Audience, Dec. 6, 2023)
Cost: $100
Please send a check (or bring it with you) to: Holy Cross Family Ministries, 518 Washington Street, North Easton, MA 02356. Attention: Margaret
Please include in memo: Catholic Mom Retreat
If the cost of this retreat is an obstacle for you, please contact Margaret at mdwyerhogan@hcfm.org.
We're also working on gathering rideshare information and other helpful transportation tips, and as the event approaches, we can connect writers who might want to travel together.
Our schedule is still being finalized. Here's an overview of the plans:
Arrival and registration from 4 to 6 PM Friday
FRIDAY EVENING:
After dinner, we'll gather for a brief summary of the weekend's plans, then pray the Rosary and Evening Prayer (Liturgy of the Hours) together. Social time will follow, and the Adoration Chapel will be open.
SATURDAY MORNING:
Rosary and breakfast to begin our day
Two guided exercises in unlocking creativity and spiritual writing
SATURDAY AFTERNOON:
Lunch, opportunities for Adoration and Confession, Museum of Family Prayer visit, spiritual direction by appointment
Panel discussion on the Holy Cross Family Ministries mission of evangelization to families
Break
Spiritual reflection and writing collaboration: working together in small writing communities
Group discussion
SATURDAY EVENING:
Dinner
Evening Prayer
Fellowship or free writing time, spiritual direction by appointment, Adoration, opportunity for Confession
SUNDAY MORNING:
Rosary & breakfast
Presentation: Our Shared Mission
Sunday Mass
Noon: Lunch and departure
Presenters for this event include:
Allison Gingras
Barb Szyszkiewicz
Father David Marcham
Father Fred Jenga, C.S.C.
Lisa M. Hendey
Margaret Dwyer Hogan
Maria Morera Johnson
Victoria Hassan
February 2024
Download the Writer's Mission Statement guide
Download sample writer's mission statements
October 2023:
March 2023:
September 2022:
The good news is that Easton is not that far from Boston’s Logan International airport!
RETREAT HOUSE LOCATION
Retreat House Address is 490 Washington Street, North Easton, MA 02356. It is the building at the back (read these directions).
It is BEHIND the series of white buildings you will see at this address – at the very back.
Upon arrival at Logan Airport, simply follow the signs to “Ride App Pickup”. It is a walk from the terminal – so put on your coat! I am attaching a map of Boston Logan airport so you can see in advance of your arrival where it is located. In Terminal B, you will need to go up the escalator to get to the uber pick up area in the garage. It is clearly marked as “RIDE APP PICK UP”. The other terminals, please scroll to “Ride APP Pick Up” in the map above.
BE SURE TO KEEP YOUR RECEIPTS, scan them and email to mdwyerhogan@hcfm.org the week after the retreat and include your name, date, “CM Retreat” on the receipt please.
If you want to skip the Uber at Logan airport, there is LOGAN EXPRESS BUS SERVICE. A bus leaves from the front of each terminal every 30 minutes (and you can track it on an app) to FIVE DIFFERENT LOCATIONS. You want the bus to BRAINTREE. That gets you 15 minutes from us. What is nice about this option is if you arrive during a heavy traffic time (4:30 – 6:30 p.m.) the bus can access the HOV lane. It will get you out of the city quickly. Once you get to Braintree, you can hop an uber to Easton. At Braintree, there is a warm and clean place to wait inside with bathrooms, etc., for the uber or your ride. Honestly, depending on when you arrive, this can be the least stressful way to get to us. I always take the Logan Express as they can always get you in and out of the city the quickest with HOV lanes.
In the event of heavy snow or bad weather when you arrive, I would strongly recommend the Logan Express Bus Service to Braintree. Tickets do not need to be purchased in advance, but you will need to purchase them on the app before you board the bus. My family has (3) 4-wheel drive vehicles and all are on call if needed – we will get you to us from Braintree! The buses ALWAYS run. It is how all of the airport employees get to and from the airport.
Weather is unpredictable in New England in February! Bring lots of layers, a winter coat, gloves. DRESS IS VERY CASUAL AND COMFORTABLE. CM team will be in jeans and warm layers. If you are coming from a warm climate and need a hat, gloves, or scarf, no worries! We will have a basket of hats and scarves and gloves if needed. Three of us live here in Massachusetts and have access to loads of warm outerwear!
We have space for everyone to have your own!
There are, however, only a few rooms with private bathrooms – most do have a sink.
You will need to shower and use the facilities in a shared bathroom that are built with appropriate privacy, but just a heads up to plan accordingly! This retreat house is taken care of and cleaned with great pride.
The first MEAL at the retreat house is at 6:00 p.m. on Friday evening.
Our offices at HCFM are a short walk from the Retreat House (I will send a map next week). We have daily Rosary at 11:30 and Mass at 12:00 noon. If you plan to join us for those, let me know please! We will have lunch that day over at the offices and you are welcome to join us and meet the HCFM team.
All of the rooms will be labeled with a name for each person. If you arrive before 2:00 on Friday, Nancy the retreat house director will be on site to help you. The CM team will arrive at 2:00 on Friday for the weekend.
Use this address for the office:
518 Washington Street
North Easton, MA 02356
Construction is in front; drop-off is behind the building and well-marked.
We have hired a Transportation service to provide van rides to Logan on Sunday after Mass. Logan security lines can be tricky, so I am working from the assumption that all of you flying out need to be at the airport two hours before departure. I will schedule the vans accordingly. We have a few people with flights at 1:30/2:00 so one will leave immediately after Mass (11:45), the other at 1:00/1:30 p.m. Lunch will be served at noon for a quick bite before heading out for those on the 2nd bus. The first crew will need to be packed to leave after Mass.
Those of you flying out early on Monday morning, you will need to take the 2nd shuttle which will drop you off at your hotel. Please plan accordingly to be ready for departure after lunch.
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