Making space for God’s love: A Retreat for Ministry Leaders

On Saturday, June 14, 2025, pastoral staff and lay ministers from across the Diocese gathered at the Martha Retreat Centre in Lethbridge for a day of reflection, renewal, and rest. Guided by Fr. Tim Boyle and supported by the Pastoral Ministry Office, the retreat offered sacred time to encounter God’s love more deeply, through prayer, beauty, silence, and sacramental insight. Below are reflections from participants who share how the day stirred their hearts and strengthened their calling to serve.

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Letting God Work Through Me: A Sacrament Coordinator’s Insight
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I attended the retreat at Martha Retreat Center in Lethbridge on June 14, 2025 organized by the Pastoral Ministry Office of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Calgary, and I find myself still inspired by what I experienced and learned. Guided by Fr. Tim Boyle, I was reminded of the profound depth of God’s love especially as it manifests in the Holy Trinity and the figure of Sophia, wisdom itself. As he reflected on these truths, I was struck by how central God's love is to everything we do in ministry. It made me realize that without this divine love, the sacraments, creation, and even our efforts in faith formation would lack their true purpose.
 
Throughout the retreat, I became more aware that my role as a Sacrament Coordinator is not about hierarchy or titles, but about reflecting God's boundless love to those I serve. This shift in perspective was powerful for me. It challenged me to approach my ministry with humility and a renewed sense of selfless service rooted in divine benevolence. I felt a deep calling to see my work as an extension of God's love, as an act of sharing His goodness, patience, and compassion.
 
The icon of the Transfiguration especially resonated with me. It reminds me that transformation is possible, not just for the figures in the Bible, but for myself as well. Seeing Jesus at the center of the icon inspires me to emulate His example, to become more Christ-like in my attitude, words, and actions. It encourages me to assess my strengths and weaknesses honestly; trusting that through God's grace, I can grow and improve in serving others.
 
Most profoundly, I was reminded that true service is humble. It’s about echoing God's humility, serving others not for recognition, but out of love. This retreat has rekindled my passion to serve with renewed enthusiasm, knowing that my work is part of a larger divine story. I am encouraged to lead with love, to emulate Christ’s humility, and to allow God's transformative power to shape both my ministry and my life.
 
This experience has deepened my understanding that Sacramental ministry is not just about tasks, but it's about creating space for God's love to work through me, bringing hope, healing, and transformation to those I am privileged to serve.
  
Carlo Peregrina, Sacrament Coordinator
Sacred Heart Parish, Calgary

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For others on the retreat, the day brought a similar sense of grounding and grace.

Cristiana from All Saints Parish in Lethbridge shared how the retreat met her in a moment of spiritual weariness. “I’m sincerely grateful for the day spent at Martha Retreat Centre, it was grace that quenched my thirst for Truth,” she wrote. Surrounded by a culture that pushes self-achievement and image, she said it was easy to slip into promoting a version of Catholicism that’s more about appearances than the cross. Yet the retreat pulled her back to the heart of the Gospel: “Instead of being a herald of a triumphant faith, I was reminded to be a witness to a Saviour who enters into our suffering to bring real life.”

Mimi, from St. Mark’s Parish in Calgary, described the retreat as a much-needed chance to breathe and be still. “It was a blessing to be welcomed into a holy time and space,” she shared. She appreciated the rhythm of the day, especially Fr. Boyle’s gentle and creative approach. “His use of imagery and the contemplation of photographs coaxed the mind to expand its understanding, while the celebration of Holy Eucharist, followed by a period of meditation with the aid of an icon, encouraged the heart to open to the promptings of the Lord." 

Both Cristiana and Mimi expressed deep gratitude for the space to pause, pray, and be reminded of what really matters. “Thank you for setting the meeting time and space for this unforgettable encounter with the Lord,” Mimi added.
As Cristiana put it, “What a magnificent God we have: only He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the humble!”