A Canterbury Tale

Fr. Tyrrel Dear writes:

Truly it was an exceptional experience, which I hope might suggest to others the possibility of making such a retreat for themselves.

 Hello, God Lord, I have been busy, too busy. I haven’t forgotten You. But then again I haven’t listened to You recently as You or I have wanted. So Roxy and I thought we should go to a favorite convent where we could be quiet and rest in Your presence, but then we realized how far it was to travel – and so we thought of the Canterbury Retreat & Conference Center here in Oviedo, less than 50 miles from home.

 After telephoning to make sure there was space available, we went over Sunday afternoon and stayed until Wednesday afternoon.

 The room was comfortable, the food excellent, the setting was beautiful and the staff was gracious – as everyone who has been there can attest to.

 Truly, it was one of the most refreshing three days and spiritually enriching ìretreatî we have had in years! Only God to direct us as we disciplined ourselves not to talk for two hours each morning and again for two hours each afternoon while we read and wrote in our notebooks.

 We read a lot. We walked around the lake several times, and we napped each day, without any phone calls or watching any TV. We also arranged to have one of the local parish clergy to counsel us and to hear our confessions on Tuesday morning. It was WONDERFUL! I would like to encourage everyone who wants a closer walk with Jesus, Father and Holy Spirit to do this, as soon as you can, and as often as you can. I am sure you will find it well worth the time and effort – and at very little cost. We plan to do this twice a year.

 This is a completely unsolicited article, offered in thanks to the Diocese and Canterbury for providing such an incredible resource for our use.