Hundreds of women to gather in prayer and fellowship to kick off Lenten season

By Eileen Jevis
Staff writer

Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, a time for prayer, fasting and almsgiving and a time to grow closer to God. As Christians, we are called to not only abstain from food and activity, but to give time to the Lord. In the spirit of this holy season of Lent, the Women’s Commission of the Diocese will host its annual Lenten Retreat on Saturday, Feb. 17, in Johnson City, Syracuse and, for the first time, Utica.

Jill Smith, chairperson of the Women’s Commission, said that they schedule the retreat at the beginning of Lent because it is a special and meaningful time to renew one’s focus on spiritual growth.

Featured speakers engage attendees. This is a photo from last year’s event at Holy Cross, DeWitt. Utica has been added to this year’s schedule.

The theme of the half-day retreat is based on Psalm 51:10: Create in me a pure heart, oh, God, and renew your right Spirit within me. “We are asking the Lord to put ‘the right spirit in me,’” explained Smith. “The right spirit of God can help us identify our root sin this Lent, worship God the way he wants us to, and define our highest purpose.”

Ellen Benton, evangelization coordinator at St. Joseph-St. Patrick Parish in Utica and retreat coordinator for that region, said the women in the eastern region of the diocese are thrilled that this gathering will be offered to them this year. “Women have been reaching out to promote the event and they are looking forward to celebrating our faith, preparing for Lent and coming together in fellowship,” she said.

“Each retreat offers a new and uplifting experience for me and at the end of them, I’m left feeling so much more alive in my faith,” added Mary Loftus, a parishioner at Our Lady of Good Counsel in Endicott. Loftus said each speaker has been unique in that their life experiences have varied but their Catholic faith guides and sustains them through their joys and sorrows.

Father James Tormey will be the featured speaker at St. James Church in Johnson City this year. Father Thomas Ward, pastor of St. Daniel’s Church, will present at the Syracuse retreat at Holy Cross Church in DeWitt; and Father Jason Hage, pastor of Mary, Mother of Our Savior, will address the women’s gathering at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Utica.

“For those who are considering attending, I will tell you that you will feel a wonderful solidarity with the other women as well as the realization that we are more alike than we realize,” said Loftus. “Our world often throws us obstacles in our everyday life, but these gatherings are a chance to feel renewed and strengthened. You will leave feeling not so alone and will be fortified with a strength for simply trusting in God to handle all things.”

For more information and to register for the retreat in your area, visit https://www.syracusecatholicwomen.org/. The cost is $25 per person and can be sent with the form to the Diocese of Syracuse. Registrants can also pay at the door.