The Vocation Discernment Retreat at Mont La Salle during the Memorial Day was a great success. There were eight young men from around the District who attended the retreat. In all, over twenty people took part in most of the retreat.

From Friday to Sunday, the novices were excellent hosts as they spoke about their own vocational journeys, interacted with the attendees, cooked several meals, and opened their home to everyone who came. Brs. Michael Avila and Camillus Chavez from Saint Mary’s College brought four participants and took part in all the activities and events. And the Brothers from the Provincialate community and the Holy Family community interacted and socialized at various points of the retreat.
The retreat included time for conversation, personal reflection, one-on-one conversations with designated Brothers, socials, meals, prayer times, some common sessions, and a relaxed atmosphere for discernment. Participants in their evaluations wrote:

“The community among the brothers is something special and admirable.” “I was able to really connect with Brothers through their personal talks and sitting with them at dinner.” “I learned that the brothers are truly brothers living in community and breaking bread.”

“The brothers are in fact real people with a sense of humor. They have order in their lives as well as some fun.”

Much thanks is to be given to the novitiate community for hosting the retreat, to the other Brothers at Mont La Salle for participating in socials and some of the discussions, and to the Brothers from SMC who supported the retreat in so many ways.

At the end of the retreat, five of the young men signed up for the Contact Program.