The diocesan Office for Black Catholics’ Annual Spiritual Retreat was a time to focus on the gifts of the Holy Spirit and spiritual renewal. On the morning of Nov. 16, participants prepared for that discussion by reflecting on the personal challenges in their lives.
The event Nov. 15-16 at Roslyn Retreat Center, Richmond, began with Eucharistic adoration Friday evening. The following morning, Cathy Woodson, coordinator for the lectors’ ministry at St. Elizabeth, Richmond, and the morning’s guest speaker, asked the roughly three dozen participants to compose their own lament.
A lament is a prayer that expresses overwhelming sorrow or frustration, but is still “buoyed by hope” (CCC #2630). Prayers of lament can be found in the Bible in many places, from the Book of Lamentations to many of the Psalms to the Agony in the Garden.
“Embrace a practice of lamenting to get out anything that would stand as a barrier between you and the Holy Spirit,” said Woodson.
After fifteen minutes of silent composition, a few people chose to share their reflection.
“When we’re going through trials and tribulations, whether small, medium, or large, God wants us to learn a lesson from our experience,” said Deacon Frank Nelson, who serves at Holy Rosary, Richmond.
“The Israelites spent 40 years in the desert,” said Abby Causey, executive director of Virginia Catholics for Racial Justice. “Sometimes, it has to get worse before it gets better.”
Throughout the day, reflections on Scripture and spiritual practices led by Woodson and Pam Harris, assistant secretary for pastoral ministry and social concerns in the Archdiocese of Washington, would seek to alleviate those lamentations through union with God.
Also in attendance were Father Tochi Iwuji, director of the Office for Black Catholics and pastor of Holy Rosary, and Bishop Barry C. Knestout, who offered Mass for the group at the retreat center chapel at 4:30 p.m. that evening.
Gifts of the spirit
The first Scripture reading of the day was from Isaiah 11, which says of the Messiah in verse 2, “The spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him: a spirit of wisdom and of understanding.”
“We have been given that spirit as well, through inheritance with Jesus,” reflected Ashley Dixon, parishioner at Basilica of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Norfolk.
“If we’re open to receiving” the Spirit, Dixon added, “then it’s ours to keep.”
In eight small groups, Woodson then instructed participants to read Galatians 5:22-25 aloud: “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ have crucified their flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also follow the Spirit.”
Each group was assigned one of the gifts of the Spirit to consider more closely.
Deborah Branch spoke on the difference between kindness, which comes from the Spirit, and niceness, which might mean smoothing over a social situation.
“Let’s not get it twisted. Kindness is not something you do just because someone has been kind to you,” said Branch. “Kindness is what you do because you see the face of Christ in others.”
Mary Harris, parishioner at Holy Rosary, spoke on another distinction: the difference between gentleness and weakness.
“You can’t be weak and be gentle,” she said. “To be gentle implies the potentiality of strength.”
‘I needed sustenance’
After lunch, Pam Harris led the group through a guided meditation to the “inner upper room,” sharing mental space with Jesus.
“The Holy Spirit is guiding our day, our afternoon,” said Harris.
One of her gentle but powerful reflections during this peaceful time touched on the dignity of the human person in the eyes of Jesus: “Remember you are dust – ah, but what dust!” Harris said.
Bishop Knestout arrived before 10 a.m. and stayed throughout the day as an active participant before celebrating evening Mass.
“The theme of the Holy Spirit is very appropriate right now,” the bishop said. “So much of what we’re discussing at this time of the year, in the life and the work of the Church, is calling upon the Holy Spirit.”
Marybeth Devany, parishioner at St. Michael the Archangel, Glen Allen, said the day was rejuvenating.
“I needed sustenance,” said Devany, “and this retreat has been sustenance.”