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An Investment in Your Faith — The Importance of Retreats
While there are many ways to make an “investment” in your faith — attending Mass, spending time in prayer, or serving others — sometimes it takes something a little out-ofthe-ordinary to really help you go deeper in your relationship with God. Retreats — whether over a whole weekend or just a few hours, across the country or right in your own backyard — can often be exactly what you need to get out of your everyday routine, allowing God into your life in new ways.
However, if you have children, you also know just how difficult it can be to “get away” in the midst of everyday life. But for a number of couples at St. Vincent de Paul, choosing to make the sacrifices necessary to get away on retreat — either as a couple, or as individuals — has been worth it.
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Parishioners Scott and Camille Wanetka have attended several retreats in recent years and found that it is not only a blessing to their faith, but also to their relationship.
“Retreats seem to help us to refocus on who we are and why we are here,” Camille says. “They help us to remember the eternal perspective and how important putting God front and center in our lives is vital.”
With all the demands of busy work and family life, it can be easy to make excuses. However, for couples who are willing to make the effort, they say it always pays off.
“We try to make an annual retreat recently to the Cloisters on the Platte, but it is hard to take the time, and it’s easy to say we are too busy,” Scott says.
“Retreats provide rest and a way to reflect on our life,” Camille adds. “For example, asking ‘What is going well? What needs to change? How can I serve God and those around me better?’”
Whether designated specifically as a silent retreat or not, getting away from the “noise” and busyness of normal life can provide the space to reflect and listen to God in a unique way. This refueling of one’s faith and relationship with God often leads to deeper and more meaningful prayer after returning home.
“The retreats we have been on that are a few days have been silent, which is scary at first, but so good!” Camille says. “God speaks in silence, and retreats have helped us to realize the importance of having a time each day to be silent and let God direct our day.
“Retreats have encouraged us in our prayer life — both as a couple and individually — no matter the demands of the day,” she adds. “When we don’t take time to pray and communicate with each other and Him things seem to derail!”
In addition to strengthening their own faith, Scott and Camille hope that their example also helps inspire the faith of their three sons. Despite the fact that it may be challenging to arrange childcare, or for one of them to be parenting solo for a weekend, they hope to witness to their children the importance of prioritizing their prayer and relationship with God.
“We make retreats a priority for each of us and sometimes have to encourage each other that we need to get away,” Camille says. “We have found that God provides and gives us the help needed, if we just trust Him.”
The Wanetkas encourage other couples to make an effort to get away on a retreat, either together or by themselves. While many couples appreciate the importance of having a weekend away together, or even making time for a “guys’ weekend” or “girls’ getaway,” retreats allow for a break, while also deepening one’s faith and providing meaningful refreshment.
“Retreats are so refreshing and provide a different perspective,” Camille says. “We have met many wonderful people at retreats and have grown spiritually from the time away and from the examples of those present. You will never be disappointed when you take time to be with God and deepen your relationship with and love for Him.”
