Summer is a good time of year to step back from the business and busyness of daily life and focus on our relationships with Jesus and those we are called to love. Unfortunately, few among us are able to leave behind home, work, and family for a real retreat from the responsibilities of the world. For this reason, the Assisi Project is pleased to announce a special series of summertime mini-retreats called Saints for All Seasons.

Throughout his long priestly ministry, Pope Francis has called people of all ages and backgrounds to learn about and pray with the saints. The Holy Father believes in his heart that the saints bring us closer to Christ, closer to the Church, and closer to each other. He says: “The saints are still here, not far from us; and their images [and relics] in our churches evoke the ‘cloud of witnesses’ that always surrounds us (cf Hebrews 12:1)…The saints remind us that even in our lives, however weak and marked by sin, holiness can unfold (4-7-21).”

In this spirit of unfolding holiness, all are invited to join us in July, August, and September for a series of two-hour mini-retreats. These mornings of prayer, reflection, and adoration will focus on the lives of three amazing saints: Saint Veronica Giuliani, Saint Mary Major, and Saint Teresa of Calcutta. Each mini-retreat will begin with the celebration of Holy Mass at 8:00am in Saint Anthony Chapel in Gloucester, Massachusetts. After Mass, Father Jim and-or Cliff Garvey will offer a reflection on the life, inspiration, and veneration of a saint whose life of holiness has inspired men and women all around the world. There will be time for questions and faith sharing, too.

After our reflection and discussion, we will pray in silent adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and in veneration of the holy relics of each saint of the day. At 9:30am, we will conclude our time together by praying the Holy Rosary followed by Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. Here’s our summer schedule of mini-retreats:

Saint Veronica Giuliani
Saturday, July 1st
Begins with Mass at 8:00am
Saint Anthony Chapel

Saint Mary Major
Saturday, August 5th
Begins with Mass at 8:00am
Saint Anthony Chapel

Saint Teresa of Calcutta
Saturday, September 2nd
Begins with Mass at 8:00am
Saint Anthony Chapel

We hope and pray that you and your family will be able to join us for all or even just part of this special series in celebration of the saints! For more information, please contact Cliff Garvey at cgarvey@assisiproject.com. Save the dates! Bring a friend! All are invited! All are welcome! May the Lord give you peace!

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Founded by Father Jim and Cliff, the Assisi Project is a Fellowship of Franciscans in Spirit that is dedicated to helping believers of all ages to more faithfully live the Gospel of Christ in the spirit of Saints Francis and Clare. In response to the pandemic, Father Jim asked Cliff to look back on nearly two decades of ministry as a catechist, spiritual director, and leader of retreats and pilgrimages; and to create a regular series of podcasts (audio recordings) as a way of continuing his adult faith formation ministry. As of this weekend, Cliff has already created more than fifty podcasts and with more on the way! These podcasts are free and always available! Just click on the link below our library!

• The Assisi Project Podcast

For more information about the Assisi Project, please contact Cliff at cgarvey@assisiproject.com. All are welcome to support our podcast ministry via PayPal or smile.amazon.com; or by sending a donation to the Assisi Project, Post Office Box 3158, Gloucester, Massachusetts 01931-3158. Thanks for listening! May the Lord give you peace! Saint Francis of Assisi, pray for us! Saint Clare of Assisi, pray for us! Our Lady of the Angels, pray for us!

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