Editor:
For the past three years, my husband and I have been taking our three young children (now ages 3,6 and 7) down to Cape May Point to retreat as a family at the Marianist Family Retreat Center (http://capemaymarianists.org). I had gone on retreat several times before I met my husband, but after we were married and had children, it was something I just couldn’t get back to.
After a Google search, I was surprised to find a Catholic family retreat house right here in New Jersey. I cautiously asked my husband and was surprised he agreed to go. (He probably felt bad for me, as I was home with three small children for the past few years). We chose the weekend designated for families where all children are under 7 years of age.
We had no idea what to expect. Me being the free spirit was a lot more open and confident; however, I was worried about my husband. He grew up a cradle Catholic and I didn’t want him to be miserable.
We arrived just before dinner on a Friday in May and were surprised by the team of of volunteers (all ages young adult to older). They helped bring our stuff from the car to our third floor room, took the children right from our hands and the fun family weekend began.
I will admit that the ice breaker had me worried my husband was going to pack us up and sneak us out in the middle of the night. (This was all new to him). I will say that by Sunday, he had enjoyed himself so much he offered to take us back there for a full week over the summer.
Our time on retreat is relaxed, not overly scheduled (plenty of time to enjoy Cape May and the beach which is a half-block away). Always on our ride home my husband and I say, “This is the best thing we have done for our family.”
I always feel I am the best mother I can be when on retreat because our phones are away, the meals are taken care of and there is plenty of help and entertainment for the kids. All we have to do is be with God, our family and our new friends made at the retreat.
The retreats are very economical. If there is a financial issue, they will work with you and may even have scholarship funds to help. Finances are no reason not to go on retreat.
I really could go on and on about how wonderful this is and how it has impacted our family or what wonderful families we have met. I think you get the point.
Josephine Sharkey
Navesink, N.J.
Where to write
Send letters to Carl Peters, 15 North Seventh Street, Camden, NJ 08102 or email to cpeters@camdendiocese.org. Include daytime phone number. Letters should be limited to 300 words or fewer. Material subject to editing. Opinions expressed in printed letters do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Catholic Star Herald or the Diocese of Camden.