“Be diligent in serving the poor. Love the poor, honor them, my children, as you would honor Christ Himself.”
St. Louise de Marillac
Sacred Pauses
By Katelyn Rieder, Communications intern
Throughout the year, especially during the summer months, Sisters of Charity appreciate the opportunity to step away from the busyness of everyday life and focus on deepening their spiritual lives. By dedicating time for self-reflection and renewal, they strengthen their connection with God and nourish their faith. In the reflections that follow, four Sisters share insights from their recent retreat experiences, offering a glimpse into the transformative power of these sacred pauses.
S. Margaret Mach spent a week at the Mount St. Joseph Motherhouse over the summer for a directed retreat.
At the end of the retreat’s first day, S. Margaret made her way to the second-floor front porch to sit and be still. She said, “I sat there with God as I became very peaceful and said, ‘I come with an open mind, an open heart. Please fill me, Lord.’ And as I sat on the porch, I heard a bird song that I had never heard before.” As she listened for God’s words, this new song stood out. In response, she wrote in her journal:
Were you calling me to open my ear and listen carefully during this retreat? Listening to my soul, to the music that God wants to sing in me? Listen to the wisdom [my director] has to offer me?
“To me, that was an affirmation that I was in the right place, and that I was open to any nudging or invitation that God would send me.”
One of the more significant moments on the retreat was sparked by S. Margaret reflecting on Psalm 71, presented to her by her director. She found that unlike many of her previous retreats, phrases were jumping out at her the entire week. “In one of the verses it said, ‘Upon you, I have trusted from my birth.’ That’s what has gotten me through my journey of almost 68 years in religious life—knowing that God is in the journey and is walking with me every step of the way.”
S. Margaret has also spent a number of years on the other side of the retreat experience, acting as a spiritual director. “I am very blessed to be able to walk with people on that journey for a directed retreat.”
For S. Margaret, this year’s retreat provided an opportunity to take a step back and reflect on how far she has come in her life. The readings and pieces given to her by her director all seemed to relate to her journey in some way. Whether it was just one word, or an entire Scripture verse.
“Sometimes, we just need to sit still and let God love us. If we’re not quiet, we’re not going to hear what God has to say to us. That’s why a retreat is important.”
On S. Mary Ann Humbert’s retreats, one tree in particular speaks to her.
S. Mary Ann Humbert traveled to the Jesuit Retreat House in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, for a five-day directed retreat. This is one of her preferred spots to make a retreat because of the gorgeous views of Lake Winnebago that never fail to put her heart at ease.
She finds “art journaling” a particularly powerful tool for listening to God’s communication. She was surprised this year to find God leading her through her ministry history. Various people, a notice in Intercom, unexpected opportunities clearly outlined God’s “fingerprints and calling cards” in her life.
On the front wall of the retreat house chapel is the most realistic rendering of Jesus’ suffering on the cross that she has ever seen. Praying alongside Mary and all who have witnessed the loss of their loved ones always moves her to tears. She finds it heart-wrenching to see the result of Jesus’ unwavering commitment to love, forgiveness, challenging authority, and speaking truth to power.
A statue of Jesus with a small child occupies the central focus in the small chapel. The life-sized statue of Jesus’ arm hugging the child, and his loving glance, opens her heart to experience how deeply God’s personal love is for her. A truly precious gift.
Because she made her retreat towards the end of summer, Sister also found inspiration in the changing fall leaves. “Sometimes the color changes from the outside of the leaf, sometimes it’s in the middle, but God’s creativity never stops,” she says.
Another one of her favorite spots to pray in Oshkosh is by a specific tree near the lake. “It’s old and the bottom of it is all carved out, almost like it’s disintegrating. It looks like it should be dead,” she explains. “Then all of a sudden, there’s all this green hanging on the top with new growth. I think it’s a great motto for our Community. Things are changing and disappearing, but that doesn’t mean that there still isn’t life.”
She deeply understands the transformative power of retreats, both personally and in her ministry. For nearly 35 years in Milford, Ohio, S. Mary Ann ministered as a retreat director, guiding others on their spiritual journeys. “It was such a privilege to walk with somebody who trusts you with what’s going on in their inner life,” she said. Her retreats incorporated various forms of prayer, including Tai Chi and working with clay as a medium.
When asked how going on a retreat can affect her own spiritual wellbeing, S. Mary Ann smiled brightly. “How can it not?” she said. “It gives me perspective and time to reconnect more deeply with God—the one who is the center of my life.
The peaceful Lake Lorelei in Brown County, Ohio, provides many opportunities for spiritual rest.
S. Whitney Schieltz went to one of the Sisters of Charity cottages on Lake Lorelei in Brown County, Ohio, for a week-long private retreat. As a newer member of the Sisters of Charity, adjusting to the pace of a retreat took some time. She recalled a specific conversation with her spiritual director before her first week-long retreat. “I remember saying that I almost felt guilty being on the retreat, because who else gets this opportunity?” Her director then pointed to the altar set up between them, on which was a globe. “She reminded me that we’re not just doing this for ourselves. We’re doing this so we can take care of ourselves so that we’re then able to pour our gifts back into the world in service to God and others.” Because of all these meaningful conversations with her spiritual director, Sister was able to comfortably go on retreat alone, only talking with her director before and after the experience.
In order to truly appreciate the retreat experience, S. Whitney had to let go of preconceived expectations. “I was anticipating all of these monumental conversations and great understandings, and I would get super frustrated when that didn’t happen.” Today, with several years of retreat experiences and spiritual direction under her belt, S. Whitney has a new approach. “I know that God will be speaking to me and working through me this week, but I won’t always have that ‘aha’ moment.”
For S. Whitney, retreats can provide her with an opportunity for relaxation of the mind and body. At Lake Lorelei she enjoyed swimming during the warm summer days. Being able to float in the water and be in touch with all of her senses allowed for enhanced moments of quiet and peacefulness. “During my retreat, I try to focus completely on the present,” she explains, “which is also one of the challenges I have throughout the rest of my year.”
In addition to being immersed in her surroundings, S. Whitney also spent time indoors doing jigsaw puzzles. Instead of bringing a novel to read, she prefers doing activities on retreats that do not keep her mind occupied. “It can be hard for me to sit still and do nothing for that long,” she said. Doing something like a puzzle keeps her body still while allowing her mind to think, reflect, and pray.
Not only can S. Whitney’s retreats be relaxing, but they can also serve as a wake-up call. As we get caught up in the pace of life, we may not even realize the things we’re doing or the mindsets we’re falling into. Retreats put a pause on that and allow for reflection and regrouping.
As the summer leaves change into warm shades of red, yellow, and orange, S. Annie Klapheke applies that change to her own life.
S. Annie Klapheke made her retreat at the end of October. She traveled to the Sisters of Loretto Motherhouse in Nerinx, Kentucky, and stayed at their retreat center (Cedars of Peace) for a week-long stay. This center offers several small hermitage cabins, which are perfect for an individual retreat.
“It’s my favorite week of the year,” said S. Annie, smiling wide. “I love going in October—it’s a very symbolic season.” As the seasons change from summer to autumn and leaves transform to deep shades of orange and red, Sister applies that change and vulnerability to her own life. “It’s a time to look back over the year and reflect on those different areas and see if there are things that need to change.”
As she has gone to this same retreat center multiple times, S. Annie has developed a few specific routines she likes to do throughout the week. For example, getting up before sunrise and going on a walk to watch the world slowly wake up. “I pray for a lot of people then,” she said. “That’s my time of doing my inner prayers for my friends, my family, the Community, and a whole list of people that I hold in prayer as I start the day.” Sister also appreciates getting to meet with her spiritual director in-person while staying at the retreat center.
Sister also brings her own food to have throughout the week. Specifically, she brings all the ingredients to bake homemade bread. “That helps me slow down to the pace of retreat. Plus, I get fresh bread to eat all week!”
Being alone and secluded in a hermitage cabin allows S. Annie to quiet all the noise that we experience in our daily lives. “Our world is increasingly bombarded with information, and we are constantly connected and stimulated with social media. We can easily lose silence and what can come from that when we turn the volume down.” Whether she’s cooking locally-grown food and connecting with Earth, journaling, or talking with her director, these quiet activities allow her mind to unplug from the outside world and focus on her inner-self.
For anyone considering delving more into their spirituality, S. Annie recommends starting small. Take one day, two days, even an afternoon to withdraw from distractions and give time for quiet reflection. “It’s not like you have to go for a week-long retreat for it to be effective. Absolutely not,” she said. “Any intentional time that’s carved out for reflection or opening yourself to God is beneficial and worthwhile.”
Contact Us
The post Sacred Pauses first appeared on Sisters of Charity.