“What a beautiful day to reflect on the stage of life
we are in and to become aware of our journey.”
Sister Marie Therese Sherwood (seated at center) with parishioners from St. Matthias who attended Senior Day at St. Francis Center for Renewal.
Blessings Received
Retreat Program Reveals Peace in Aging for SISTER, Parishioners
Sister Marie Therese Sherwood and 12 members of the Senior Ministry at the Catholic Community of St. Matthias in Somerset, N.J., recently carpooled to Bethlehem, Pa. to attend St. Francis Center for Renewal's Aging with Grace: Senior Day at SFCR program. In addition to the others who took part in the day-long retreat, the St. Matthias contingent was joined by three other parishioners who attended online via the wonders of technology.
The special afternoon welcomed senior citizens from near and far to relax together, prayer together and laugh together with an informative and inspiration program on aging and time to stroll the grounds and socialize. The featured presenter — our own Sister Marguerite Stewart — welcomed participants, led them in prayer, and offered a presentation on the four stages of aging.
Afterwards, time was allotted for personal reflection in the small chapel or other designated areas of the Center. Among the topics participants were invited to ponder: “The second half of life is not about achievements, but about appreciation. This time of life is a sacred time of grace and gratitude.” Group sharing was followed by a delicious lunch, which nourished retreatants in body and spirit and offered the opportunity to meet other participants and enjoy each other's company.
At the conclusion of the afternoon session, Sister Marie Therese invited the St. Matthias group
to share their personal experiences of the day. Their reflections are below:
Jocelyn Thomas
“I enjoyed the Aging with Grace retreat very much. I found the topic relevant, the setting peaceful, and the presenter excellent. Sister Marguerite was talented at encouraging her audience to reflect on the aspects of aging that she described in her talk. I loved her speaking voice; it was soothing to listen to.”
pearl Scott
“I participated in the seniors retreat via Zoom and was happy I did. The sessions were enriching and very inspirational. I enjoyed listening to the stories shared by the participants — stories of faith, hope, bravery, resilience, triumph and love. The experience was a very rewarding one for me.”
MARILYN WEGG
“I found it interesting to review the four stages of aging. Each stage offers the challenge to grow in wisdom and gratitude for the lessons and blessings each stage offers. The program addressed the challenges and fears so common to aging persons. I get to choose to live in fear or find meaning and purpose as I venture each day on my spiritual journey.”
jocelyne nau
“I am so happy I was able to attend the senior retreat in Bethlehem. As I was strolling the grounds during the reflection period, I was overwhelmed with contentment and became aware that my soul was thirsting for this moment. ‘The beauty of aging,’ as stated by Sister Marguerite, ‘Aging with grace,’ became a sweet vision.”
patti nolan
“So glad I was able to join in the Aging with Grace retreat led by Sister Marguerite. It gave me an opportunity to spend time in a peaceful setting, affording time to listen, learn, pray, contemplate and share with other faithful women. I came away feeling wiser and more peaceful about this time in my life.”
chris retz
“What I particularly liked was how Sister Marguerite made me at peace with the idea of growing older. There is a time to work and then a time to step back and see what life has in store for us, now that the days of hustle and bustle and getting out the door for work have ended.”