A Time of Reflection and Sharing
     Sunday, October 23, fathers and sons filed into the Armory for the Mount Michael Father-Son retreat. It was a time to relax and a chance for quality time between a father and his son.

     Following a talk by Abbot Raphael Walsh about father-son relationships, Abbot Walsh gave the sons questions they could ask their dad in private. What was it like being a teenager with your father? What are challenges to being a father and a husband? These were supposed to stimulate conversation between the father and son so the son could learn more about his father.

     After the questions, volunteer moms then served a catered meal to the attendants.

     After dinner, the fathers questioned their sons about their relationship and their future. What parts of independence are you looking forward to? How do you see yourself as a father? What parts of our relationship can I improve? Again, the questions stimulated conversation so the father could learn more about his son.

     The retreat ended in the chapel with psalms and a blessing. However, this blessing was different. The father blessed the son and the son blessed the father. The pair left the chapel ready to take on the world again, their relationship strengthened and refreshed.

     Senior participant Sean Cox commented on the night saying, “I had a great time with my dad. It was nice just to catch up and spend time with him.”

                                                       - Article and Pictures by Aaron Lockee