A visitor comes for the silence to recharge his and our spirits,....

This past week we were very happy to welcome Fr. Zuccaro to a retreat here 

at The Mary Theotokos center. 

He had come to take a little time off from running his Parish in Springfield VT as well as working in his prison ministry to find revitalization in silence and 

in meditative prayer and fresh air.

The weather cooperated at first with balmy warmer than usual days but soon we were in for a storm of ice/sleet/freezing rain/snow and what ever atmospheric condition that could make the driveway impassable as well as outdoor activities of any kind, including walking to the barn, extremely treacherous!


Time to break out the chains!

Fr. Zuccaro took it all in stride as he walked back and forth several times everyday from his private accommodations in the main retreat house to our Chapel for his prayer schedule.

But these daily outdoor treacherous strolls were not enough for this active and healthy Priest. His desire to get even further away in his own private "wilderness" fired an inner adventurer spirit in his heart and he put on a pair of snow shoes and headed for a hike towards Mt. Pisgah which looms behind the retreat house.

Even after arduous hiking in very changeable weather, Fr. Zuccaro returned with his ever present contagious smile eagerly planning his next outing.

Although he was here for a quiet and contemplative retreat where he could recharge his spiritual batteries, he still took time to break bread with us and engage in some enlightening and inspiring conversations. ( Can anyone say "spiritual director"?) But this wonderful and generous skill of listening and discussing a myriad of topics was not the only gift he brought with him, he also provided a daily Mass in our Chapel, 

which was certainly a high point of the week for us.

What a blessing it was to have such an intelligent, generous, witty and personable Priest here with us this week. His conversations, his kindness and generosity, his talent for homilies gave us a much needed 

spiritual boost. 

Although he came for his own recharge, his presence raised our spirits ten fold.

Thank you Fr. Zuccaro, we hope to see you again soon.

Pax et Bonum

from

The Mary Theotokos Center