A Busy Autumn at the Redemptorist Renewal Center at Picture Rocks
by Charlie Wehrley, C.Ss.R.
Life is currently hopping at Redemptorist Renewal Center (RRC) with weekly priest retreats and a busy sabbatical program. September through May is our high season in terms of weekly retreats. We have 10 participants in our sabbatical program this autumn, including two from Ireland, one from the United Kingdom, and one from Ottawa, Ontario Canada. The other six participants come from across the U.S., ranging from Fremont, CA to the Bronx, NY.
The 10-week program features morning sessions with a wide range of topics and speakers. Topics include: Pathways to Contemplation, Desert Spirituality, Laudato Si, Growing Old Gracefully, Forgiveness, Being a Mystic in Today’s World, and Migrants & Refugees: A Call to Be Prophetic. The program also includes various outings for the participants, including a visit to the Kino Border Initiative, Kitt Peak Observatory and visit to the Grand Canyon/Sedona.
Upcoming Redemptorist retreats include a “Contemplative Intensive” retreat directed by Fr. Stephen Rehrauer, and “Self-Forgiveness: The Life Restoring Cleanse for the Soul” and “Healing the Wounded Inner-Child” by Fr. Charlie Wehrley who had recently directed a “Gospel of Kindness” retreat for married couples at the Franciscan Renewal Center in Scottsdale, AZ.
Fr. Brian Johnson is busy with pastoring Our Lady of the Desert Church on campus and offering a Bible study class. Fr. Huy Vu is pastor of Santa Catalina where he is very active in the daily running of the church, which provides many lay ministries. Back in the summer, Fr. Huy broke ground for the first parish rectory.
Our most senior members of the community, Fr. Peter Connelly and Fr. Jim Shea, help out by presiding at Mass here on campus. Fr. Jim also does help out at various parishes around Tucson. Our Associate Director Peter Tran is planning to retire soon. Br. Dan Hall has arrived to take on Peter’s role of scheduling retreats year-round. Peter will remain with us until Dan has been trained in the position. For more information on activities at RRC, visit our website at: www.desertrenewal.org
Are you wishing to deepen your prayer life this year? Get our free mobile prayer app based on St. Alphonsus method of mental prayer.
