PREACHER:
Parish Missions, Retreats for Clergy and Religious, Spirituality Workshops for All
When the grammar school principal was looking for me, Sister Seraphim, my second grade teacher, replied, “Just look for a group of students. Wherever two or three are gathered, Albert is preaching in their midst.” I must have been a tad bit precocious.
My priestly ministry is primarily centered on the ministry of the Word. At least once a month, I am packing my bags and going somewhere to preach a parish mission or a retreat. It has taken me awhile but I have finally made my peace with living out of a suitcase and sleeping in different beds.
My approach to parish missions is a no-brainer: I preach all the weekend liturgies to introduce the theme of the parish mission. I preach a three-night parish mission geared exclusively to adults. Each evening is centered around a Liturgy of the Word and a 45-minute homily. The service lasts exactly one hour.
Parishes Where I'll Be Preaching Parish Missions in 2013:
FEBRUARY:
- St. Patrick Church, Urbana, IL
- St. James Church, Springfield, NJ
- Prince of Peace Church, Lake Villa, IL
MARCH:
- Cathedral of St. Raymond, Joliet, IL
- St. Mary Church, Huntley, IL
SEPTEMBER:
- St. John Neumann Church, Las Vegas, NV
- St. Agnes Church, Springfield, IL
OCTOBER:
- Divine Savior Church, Downers Grove, IL
- St. John the Baptist Church, South Bend, IN
NOVEMBER:
- Our Lady of the Lake Church, Chapin, SC
I also preach retreats and give workshops to priests, permanent deacons, cloistered nuns and religious sisters. I also give days of recollection to various groups or parishes.
Retreats and Workshops I'll Be Giving in 2013:
JANUARY:
- True Self/False Self Workshop, Our Saviour Lutheran Church, Naperville, IL
- The Spiritual Journey Workshop, Bethany Center, Lutz, FL
- Spiritual Director Training, Peoria, IL
FEBRUARY:
- Spiritual Director Training, Peoria, IL
MARCH:
- Spiritual Director Training 1-3, Springfield, IL
- True Self/False Self Workshop, Hospital Sisters Health System Managers, Springfield, IL
- Spiritual Director Training, Peoria, IL
APRIL:
- Guided Retreat, Bethany Center, Antigoniosh, Nova Scotia
- Spiritual Director Training, Peoria, IL
- Preached Retreat, Sisters of Christian Charity, Wilmett, IL
- True Self/False Self Workshop, Hospital Sisters Health System Managers, Springfield, IL
MAY:
- Spiritual Director Training, Peoria, IL
JUNE:
- Preached Retreat, Franciscan Sisters of Chicago, Lemont, IL
- Preached Retreat, LaSalette Missionaries, Providence, RI
- Spiritual Director Training 1-4, Springfield, IL
- Day of Recollection, St. Padre Pio OFS Fraternity, Georgetown, TX
JULY:
- Outdoor Novena to Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Carmelite Monastery, St. Louis, MO
- Workshop on the Spiritual Life, St. Theresa Catholic Church, Austin, TX
AUGUST:
- True Self/False Self Workshop, St. Mary Catholic Church, Huntley, IL
- The Spiritual Journey Workshop, Christ the King Retreat Center, Buffalo, MN
- Spiritual Director Training 1-5, Springfield, IL
SEPTEMBER:
- Spiritual Director Training 2-1, Springfield, IL
OCTOBER:
- True Self/False Self Workshop, Cathedral of Hope, Dallas, TX
- Preached Retreat, Mercy Health Convent, Oklahoma City, OK
NOVEMBER:
- Preached Retreat, Cedarbrake Retreat House, Belton, TX
- True Self/False Self Workshop, St. Mary of the Angels, Singapore
- True Self/False Self Workshop, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, Austin, TX
- Spiritual Director Training 1-6, Springfield, IL
DECEMBER:
- Spiritual Director Training 2-2, Springfield, IL
- Advent Day of Prayer for Diocesan Workers, Diocese of Austin, TX
If you are interested in a parish mission or retreat, I suggest you call where I have already preached this year (listed above) and get the “skinny” on my content and preaching style. Though many people are polite and “guarded” in written evaluations, they will “sing like a canary” when asked over the phone.