This was the Sunday group at the PAPA Lent Retreat. We had many others come however we only got a pic on Sunday. Thank you to all who came to the Lent Retreat. It was a blessed time of quenching our thirst for the Word of God. Thank you, Father Michael for pouring upon us words of Wisdom to ponder in the desert of Lent. Denise Lanik
LENTEN RETREAT 2025
What is the purpose of a Lenten Retreat? Most say it is a chance to leave the hum drum of present life activities. It is a time for introspection and spiritual growth. A time to “SHAKE THINGS UP” and THINK CRITICALLY about you and your relationship with the Lord.
Our retreat began with reading together aloud the Gospel of Matthew 4 – The Temptation of Jesus. Why? Our Retreat Master, Father Michael J. Truongluan Nguyen, C.Ss.R. explained, “Act of Reading is connected to the Art of Conversation. When you read the Word of God; you listen to the Word through your voice and in your echo chamber of your mind. You hear God’s voice and it touches your heart. Listening is an Act of Love.”
Here is a summary of answers to questions from the retreat and comments from retreatants.
QUESTION 1 – Among all the living people in the world today, name three greatest persons for you.
Answer 1 – Father , Son, and Holy Spirit
Answer 2 - Jesus, Cardinal Sarah, Father Michael
Answer 3 - Fr. Dat, Fr. Michael, Gertrude, Fr. Richard Rohr, and Bishop Baron
Answer 4 - My son MJ, my husband, MG friend and caregiver to her paralyzed son,
Fr. Pavone, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
Answer 5 – Pope Francis, Bill Gates, Oprah Winfrey
QUESTION 2 – Name three most powerful persons living in the world today.
Answer 1 – Jesus, Pope Francis, Donald Trump
Answer 2 – President Trump, Pope Francis, the Priest
Answer 3 - The most insignificant person in the room, Individual human beings, the power of
three; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Answer 4 – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
Answer 5 - Pope Francis, Elon Musk, and Donald Trump
QUESTION 3 – In your opinion, what is the Truth?
Answer 1 – Jesus Christ, the Word of God, the Holy Spirit guides us to the Truth
Answer 2 – Jesus says, “I am the Way, Truth, and the Life.”
Answer 3 - Holy Trinity: Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. Jesus is reality and the Holy Spirit guides us to the Truth. God is Agape(love).
Answer 4 – A person, Jesus Christ. Truth is absolute.
QUESTION 4 – What is the best way to live your life?
Answer 1 – Follow the 10 commandments. Think before speaking and listen well. Charitable works of mercy.
Answer 2 – Our Savior’s example. Works – Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy. Prayer, Mass, Sacraments as often as possible. Morality in my life. Healing.
Answer 3 – Live in God’s Will. Agape love. Prayer
Answer 4 – Agape love. Nourish soul by building knowledge of Catholic Faith. Living in God’s Will.
Answer 5 – Surrender my Will and live in God’s Will. Study God’s Word. Prayer. Works of Mercy – Agape love. Simplify. Meditate. Praise God. Be a good mother, grandmother, and great grandmother.
Answer 6 – Loving God and loving one another. Putting God first in my life. Serving God and his people. Giving thanks to God for his grace and blessings.
QUESTION 5 – Along that line, what is life for you?
Answer 1 – Live through parents, children, husband, church, and God. Be in relationship with the Lord and others. Bring others to conversion.
Answer 2 – Live God’s Will. Praying daily for family, friends and country. Pray the rosary. Receiving Sacrament of Reconciliation often.
Answer 3 – Agape love (charity). Saving souls and building knowledge of Catholic Faith. Learning and living God’s gift of Divine Will.
Answer 4 – Living in God’s Will. Receiving Jesus in Eucharist often. Praying for priests, family, and all human beings. Receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Visiting and communing with my family, sharing God with them or just love them.
Answer 5 – Openness to God’s Will. Living a virtuous life. Being merciful, forgiving, and compassionate. Seeking forgiveness and reconciliation for my sinfulness.
QUESTION 6 – Suppose you die today and you meet Jesus. The Lord asks, “Give me 3 reasons why I should let you into Heaven?
Answer 1 – I love you. Give alms. Follow your commandments. Pray the rosary and go to Mass. Atone for my sins.
Answer 2 I come with empty hands. You died so I could be saved. You died so I could have eternal life. Lord, please let me in!
Answer 3 - Divine mercy. Grace of Faith. Agape love (Charity).
Answer 4 – I am sorry for all my sins, please forgive me. Nothing I can say or do could ever be enough to repay you for your unfathomable love. You love me, I love you, I love Mother Mary, I need you and can’t live without you.
Answer 5 - Lord, I love you. I am sorry for my sins, please forgive me. Have mercy on me, Lord.
Answer 6 – I love you, Jesus, with my whole heart, soul, and body, and mind. I am sorry forever offending you. You died for me so that I might have life with you in heaven.
QUESTION 7 – What would you do to convert a sinner into a righteous person?
Answer 1 – I give myself to God, I will think, listen, speak, love. Work as God through me, this gives another person the greatest space, and opportunities to convert.
Answer 2 – Be a good example. Share practices, how good you feel, and show love for God and neighbor. Invite them to Mass, retreats, and gatherings with others who have strong faith. Agape love.
Answer 3 – Smile when I see them. Pray for them. Show them kindness.
Answer 4 – Acknowledge my own sinfulness and brokenness and God’s merciful love. Try to be a good role model by following God’s call to discipleship.
Answer 5 – Pray for that person! Ask the Lord to give you the right words to say. Show by your example. Encourage them to read the Bible. Assure them that the Lord forgives us of our sins if we ask for forgiveness and be truly sorry, and pledge not to sin again.
COMMENTS and THANKS for the LENTEN RETREAT
May God bless all of us as we pray fast and give alms. ❤️🙏
Thank you, Father Michael, for another wonderful retreat.
Very informative and very helpful in our walk with Christ during this Lent.
May God continue to bless you in all your work. Olivia Bannan
Thank you, Father Michael, for an amazing Lenten Retreat!
We all learned so much and will continue to think about your teachings and put them into practice.
I loved how we must learn to read the Gospels and listen to God’s Word which will touch our hearts.
God bless you for all you do to bring us closer to Jesus! Mary Jo Barr
Thank You, Father Michael,
For a wonderful Lenten retreat!
🙏 for your time,💛
Gracias, muchas gracias💛 Alicia Arellano
Another Big PAPA hug to you Father Michael for this most beautiful gift of yourself and the Holy Trinity shared during this retreat! They keep getting better and better! Yes, there is no greater gift of love than that given to us by God! May we reap all that you have sewn “with the Holy Spirit” during this retreat! In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen. Praying for your safe travel, everywhere you go! God Bless you always!
Thanks to PAPA kitchen and all helpers for your sacrifice and love in hosting us during this wonderful retreat! Linda Oldag
Fr. Michael,
Thank you once again for a beautiful spirit-filled Lenten Retreat🙏♥️
We are so blessed to have you come and share your words of wisdom and love of God to help us learn and grow during this time of Lent.
May God continue to bless you in all your work – teaching and helping people everywhere you go to learn about the Love of Jesus and how to get to Heaven!!🙏♥️
Marilda Hugo
Thank you to all who came to the Lent Retreat. It was a blessed time of quenching our thirst for the Word of God. Thank you, Father Michael. for pouring upon us words of Wisdom to ponder in the desert of Lent. Denise Lanik
In Conclusion
Listening is an Act of Love. Jesus speaks to us through His actions and Words in the Gospels. We are in a war with the enemy, Satan. He will, "lie, steal, and devour" us. Jesus went into the desert to show us the weapons He gives us to fight the battle.
Prayer, fasting, and almsgiving are weapons. Jesus used them in the desert.
Now is the time to go back review your notes. Ask questions to clarify your understanding. Practice using your weapons and fight for your soul.
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