2018 Easter Retreat

On Saturday April 7, 2018 our NY Archdiocesan Lay Ecclesial Movements’ Council sponsored our Easter retreat at Maryknoll Society. Our retreat's theme was “Where Have You Taken Our Lord” based on the Scripture passage of Mary Magdalene's searching for the body of Jesus outside the tomb in the garden after his resurrection. 

At our retreat’s opening, commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Catholic Church's recognition of the Lay Ecclesial Movements, a brief video was viewed recounting the Vatican's First World Congress of Ecclesial Movements and New Communities held at St Peter’s Square in 1998.

Afterwards four discussion panels comprised of our representative lay ecclesial movements reflected on how our groups' various charisms inspired us to take Jesus into the world and where Jesus has led us to serve. Our first discussion panel's topic was Striving for Peace represented by Pax Christi and Community of Sant’ Egideo. Our second panel discussed Catholic Outreach and was represented by Focolare. Our third panel discussed Poverty represented by St. Vincent DePaul Society and LAMP Ministries.  Our final panel discussed Catholic Family Values and was represented by Movimiento Matrimonial Catolico.  Besides our panel groups, our other members present included Maryknoll Lay Missioners, Marriage Encounter, Couples for Christ, Cursillo, Schoenstatt Movement, and Catholic Charismatic Renewal.  Approximately 100 of our members were in attendance. Our retreat day culminated with a Liturgy of the Mass celebrated by Fr. Brian McWeeney in the Maryknoll Society Chapel. 

Our Council was glad to report that our members enjoyed learning about our diverse groups’ distinct charisms while recognizing our common unity in Christ always striving to make a positive difference in our Church and our world by promoting peace and serving our most vulnerable members.