Mary’s Retreat Talks
Living Water - Trust to Ask // Bernadette
The Samaritan woman met Jesus at the well and talked about Jesus' Living Water, which would quench her thirst for all eternity. This passage about Living Water can be understood through the lens of Jesus' Passion - a gift of mercy. Bernadette unpacks the underlying call to trust in God and shares stories of entering into that trust from her own life.
Living Water - Freedom to Receive// Bernadette
The Samaritan woman at the well gave us a beautiful example of how Jesus wishes to set us free from our wounds and sins. We better understand how Jesus saw women, our unique woundedness, and affirms our dignity and equal worth. Bernadette shares why Mary is a key intercessor for us to enter more fully into the freedom God intends, and how we are called to be integrated witnesses of Jesus' Living Water.
Woman, behold your son // Br Matthew Warner
In Jesus's last moments on the cross, he gave John his mother as his own. This is a key moment where Mary's identity as mother of us all is revealed even more profoundly. Brother Matthew shares about the significance of this last act and what it means for all of us.
"[Son] Behold your mother" // Angela Rubang
In Jesus' last instants on the cross, he gave Mary to John, the beloved disciple. John received Mary as mother for all of us, and cared for her the rest of her Earthly life. Angela shares her story of accepting Mary as her mother and reflects on how we can grow in humility and receptivity like John.
Q&A with Brother Matthew
Brother Matthew answers questions from the Mary's Retreat participants including:
How can we relate to Mary as a human she is both perfect and immaculate?
How did Mary revolutionize the role of women?
Why is Mary considered to be the mother of all?
Is Mary the mother of Heaven and Earth?
Our Lady of Kibeho // Nancy Sangwa Saro
Mary endured incredible suffering. She was there when Jesus carried the cross. She was there when he took his last breath. How can Mary’s life strengthen us in our moments of deepest pain? Our Lady of Kibeho’s apparitions, 13 years before the Rwandan genocide, offer hope and comfort when we find ourselves in darkness.
Nancy will speak about the weight of suffering and what she has learned from Our Lady of Kibeho about how God loves us through and in the pain, leading us to hope.
Mary, A Model for Discovering Our Feminine Identity // Eileen Wieck
Who is Mary and how can women today relate to her? As women, where do we find our true identity and sense of security? Where did Mary find her worth and dignity? What does this really have to do with me? In looking at Mary's role in salvation history, we are going to discover a unique plan that God has invited all women to enter into! Are you ready to embark on that journey with Him towards becoming a woman of maturity, confidence, and unshakable faith? Sound impossible? With God, nothing is impossible!
Follow her on Instagram @etwieck or @allthingswomen_
Mary and Joseph’s Marriage // Teresa and Alan
Mary’s walk with the Lord was not made alone. She was not only a mother, but also a wife and a best friend. Her marriage to St. Joseph was immediately tested with poverty, displacement, and uncertainty.
What can Mary and Joseph teach us about the joys and challenges of marriage, building a loving family, and trusting God’s plan?
Teresa and Alan share their journey of how Mary and Joseph show them to trust in God’s providence, through big life decisions across career, international moves, and raising a family.
What Women Saints Can Teach Us // Meaghan Osborne
The Church has honored and elevated the voices of women for centuries, as seen in our communion of saints. The best part is that the Church isn’t just interested in one “type” of woman or voice. The Church acknowledges and celebrates that EVERY woman is worthy, dignified, and called to holiness. In this talk, Meaghan will talk about the incredible diversity and power of the female voices of the Church.
Mother Teresa & Me // Mariana Zayas
The saints are the Christian MVPs who have fought the good fight and are cheering us on from heaven - hoping and praying that one day we get to join them! In this short testimony, Mariana shares the special friendship she has with Mother Teresa, how this saint has accompanied her since high school and continues to intercede on Mariana's behalf to Jesus and Mary.
Follow her on Instagram @marianalarissa
Living Your Fiat // Sister Joseph Marie
We all want to joyfully say YES to God. But how do we know His plan when we are faced with an overwhelming number of seemingly good choices in life? Sister Joseph Marie will share with you some principles to help you know God’s will and give you a few tools and examples for making wise decisions.
Follow the sisters on Instagram @dominican.nuns.menlo or contact via email vocations@opnunsmenlo.org
Superpowers from the Holy Spirit // Bernadette
The Holy Spirit came to the disciples at Pentecost and gave them the strength and audacity to build the Church! Bernadette will speak about the unique superpowers the Holy Spirit gives each of us so we can build and glorify the Church. She’ll talk about empowerment, female leadership, and our path to becoming today’s saints.
You can reach her via the retreat Instagram @marysretreat
God’s Plan for Healing // Jessica Barajas
As humans, we can walk around life with great careers, going to top schools… while also carrying deep wounds of anxiety, fear, abandonment, envy, and a false sense of where our worth comes from. These are layers of hurt that have been passed down to us generationally since Adam and Eve and new layers we create. But there’s a point when we’re tired of half living. God made us to live and love ourselves and others freely. Jessica will share her story of how Mary, the sacraments, holy friendships, therapy, and spiritual direction, have all worked together in her ongoing healing and freedom in God’s love.
Follow her on Instagram @barajas_jess
The Miracle of Love and Healing // Nelcy Cárdenas
Nelcy was given a special cross to bear, suffering years of migraines. Throughout her long-term illness she journeyed with faith, prayer, and unceasing hope which led her not only to a miraculous physical healing, but to knowing true love.
You can contact her via email nelcy.cardenas@gmail.com
Holy Women Dream Holy Dreams // Kiki Rocha
Women are created resilient! How then do we move past trauma, past abuse, past a promiscuous life, or bad self-image and unapologetically take ownership of our lives and begin to dream holy dreams again?
Follow her on Instagram @KikiiiTheBrave or @thegloriousbravewoman
Content warning: This talk covers deep wounds including sexual abuse, trauma, abortion.