2009 Women's Retreat

 

2009 Women's Retreat Evaluations

On February 13 - 15, 106 women attended the WWCCR Women’s Retreat.  Here’s what those who attended thought of their weekend.

When asked what they thought about the retreat overall, the majority of the ladies replied that is was “spiritually renewing,” “peaceful,” and “joyful.” 

The top five responses to the question “The retreat made me feel...” were:

• That God is real and He loves ME!

• Filled with the Spirit of God

• Loved and welcomed

• Like I can make it through hard times

• Full of hope

Many of the women said that they felt like they wanted to come to the next retreat.

Here is a sample of the responses from the rest of the evaluations:

Did you experience any healing or spiritual benefit from this weekend?

• I am still discerning but I know I have been touched. Much reflection is still needed

• I was healed of the anxiety and worry about the current state of financial disaster in our country and my shrinking retirement funds, as I am closer to retirement. Jesus I trust in You!

• Healing by music to lift my spirit – The Lord blessed me with a spirit of joy and peace.

• Yes – to believe in God and have faith. Made me realize and see the wrong in my life.

• Renewal of my heart – a renewed love of the Eucharist

• I enjoyed being prayed over during the Healing Mass.

• I believe that this retreat could very well be a turning point for me – that God has told people to tell me He loves me, is with me and that I’m Okay.

• Yes, I believe now that Jesus really loves me ! ! ! !

• I was able to get some well needed "me and Jesus" time. THANK YOU!!!

• I feel like I will have to go home and digest all I’ve heard and experienced and review all scripture references. The Lord has told me He will be using what I have heard. God showed me – gave me through Laura & Kristen the “tools” / weapons to get through hard times! I was Healed in Reconciliation / Fr. White’s laying on of hands / Stations of the Cross/prayer teams/ masses.

• Yes, to trust more – to bring my prayer life to Adoration

• Received some clarification in discernment of God’s will in my life.

• I asked for a direction to go because I was at a crossroads. I got my answer clear, direct and empowered.

• Felt encouraged and strengthened to do something; do what I need to do to bring others closer to God.

• Yes – I’ve been asking for the desire to love – and this weekend made God’s answer clear – that I have more work to do on this earth.

• Yes, when prayed over by the prayer team I felt the Holy Spirit tremble within me. A totally new separate feeling (as though) another being was inside my body.

• That the Lord is really with and there  for me.

• I was able to let go of some fear and see the redemption of suffering – something I have always avoided. My path toward the Lord is clearer and I am willing to take more steps.

• Yes -  Confession on Friday prepared my heart to receive God as my Father, to let go of past hurts and revel in utter peace this weekend.

• Continued healing in my marriage.

• Access to the priests was the greatest benefit.

• I felt healing from our Lord for my aborted baby.

• To surrender and really strive to let God lead – “Be still and know that I am God” mantra when dealing with my daughter.

• I felt like Fr. Ed White could see into our hearts and asked for just what we need. I am relieved.

• Yes. For the first time in my life I had the opportunity to listen to the true hearts of women who confidently and boldly walk with God, listen to God and obey God. It is real. It became REAL for me. I listen and I hear God too, but I was never really sure it could be real. Is it really you God? He has so many ways of teaching us with His Word (scripture talks!) I could see it, but this weekend, Laura spoke about it and I was confirmed in it. I realize I probably need friends who talk of their personal communications with the Lord and Mary. Thank you Sue for asking me to this retreat. Your team rocks!

• Physical – I came with a very sore throat and swollen glands.  By Sunday I could talk with no pain.  Spiritual – Feel Jesus’ love, how SPECIAL I am to Jesus.

 

What did you like best about the retreat?

• Adoration, prayer service, Laura Prato’s talks. Fr. Raftis & Fr. White were awesome!

• Adoration & Confession at the beginning. Healing Mass & prayer teams. Morning prayers. Laura’s talks. Kristen’s testimony. All!

• Great to see young people taking on the leadership in the parishes. This was the best yet!!!

• The stories that were told by Laura and Kristen really help me to relate to my life with its trials and joy’s. Sue did a wonderful job to welcome us & make us feel more of God’s Spirit.  The Priests were a real gift and joy to me, music ministry “a bit of Heaven” to be sure.

• All the holy women who touched me.

• We were woven together as a community of women in faith, beautiful and uplifting.

• Worship and praise; divine mercy of Jesus – Chaplet. The  Divine Mercy is special to me when in a crisis situation the Lord reminds me of His Love and Mercy and To Trust in Him in all circumstances.

• Gloria’s message teaches me to spend a lot of time with my 3 daughters because no one knows when God will ask for them.

• The depth and applicability of the teachings.

• Praise and worship.

• The support and attention of women who knew I needed it. Thank You!

• Tear jerking stories.

• Fellowship with women of my faith. Atmosphere of laughter. Alone with soul searching.

• Speakers were inspiring and well organized. It flowed well. I enjoyed the outdoor stations of the cross.

• Laura’s talks. Adoration. The availability of priests for confession. Masses.

• All the priests / Kristen and Laura.

• The speaker was wonderful. Great stories, fellowship as usual, was awesome. Such a blessed group of spiritual sisters.

• Sessions – life stories

• The witnessing talks – hospitality – beautiful priests – sacraments, Mass and Benediction – healing prayer teams.

• Speakers – meals and fellowship - setting

• community of spiritual women.

• Laura’s talks were amazing. The team was wonderful, Sue is the sweetest person in the world, the worship was spectacular, I loved the sacraments offered.

• It was very profound. I enjoyed the way Laura had laid out what she was going to say. She helped me identify that I haven’t really ever surrendered myself completely – I had always wondered what was missing in myself and now I have been able to identify it.

• Laura Prato was an amazing speaker who spoke to my heart and called me to be a better more open daughter of Christ.

• Renewing! It was great to step away from the craziness of everyday life.

• The faith that was shared. The joy and love for our Lord.

• Time of renewal.

• Opportunities for Catholic devotions – exposition, sacraments, rosary, stations.

• EVERYTHING!!!

• All of it!! Adoration and free-time.

• The personal sharing.

• Fellowship – Sacraments – Talks

• The Mass and healing with Father. Free-time to walk, do Stations, rosary.

• Mass / Small groups

• Laura and Kristen’s messages – both so powerful.

• The inspiring and practical ways to practice faith. The sacraments.

• Rise and shine – heavenly chimes! It was all good and will be memorable

• Adoration & confession at the beginning.  Healing Mass & prayer teams. Morning prayers. Laura’s talk. Kristen’s testimony.  ALL

• Talks about: trusting God in Prayer – Mission – Trials & Suffering – God Magnifies.  Also about Gloria!!! Small groups.