The following is from Beth Bartolotta, former SJM School principal and a regular participant in Eucharistic adoration at St. Justin. Read why she encourages all parishioners to attend an ACTS retreat.
Dear SJM Parishoners,
While I am unable to attend your ACTS retreat as I am on an ACTS team for an upcoming retreat at St. Simon, I highly, highly, highly recommend your serious consideration in attending. My husband, Leo, and I attended our first ACTS retreats ten years ago and have participated on teams of many more. Leo is on the ACTS Team for the St. Justin Men’s retreat. We have watched ACTS transform our parish, St. Simon, as adults of different ages now know one another, pray together, socialize together, support one another, serve in various capacities together, and more.
One of my daughters has attended ACTS and has her own parishioner friend group of all different ages. I have met more people through ACTS than I had in twenty years of other ministries in my parish.
Please know that ACTS does not take the place of a silent White House Retreat. Both are wonderful and both are very different. Even if you’ve never been on a retreat (as was the case with my husband and with me prior to ACTS), you can participate as much or as little as you wish. Just as some of Christ’s Apostles were more vocal and active and others were more contemplative, so too are those who attend and serve on the ACTS retreats.
I will be praying for the success of your retreats and will also be praying that your heart is open if the Holy Spirit is calling you to attend these first retreats or subsequent retreats at St. Justin!
God’s blessings,
Beth Bartolotta