Faith in God's Plan

David Thoreau, author of the most published book in America, Walden or Life in the Woods, also wrote, Faith in a Seed.  How well he described the myriad ways seeds change our environment, landscape and geography. Long before Thoreau or his admirers lived Jesus compared the power of faith in a seed to “the kingdom of God”:

“Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit”, John 12:24

A naturalist like Henry David Thoreau would explain that a grain of wheat or any seed without light and water “remains just a grain of wheat” unless the germ within the seed’s endoderm and husk breaks out, grows and displays God’s creative power in the world. There are awkward moments for all of us when we wander outside our familiar surroundings or make a retreat with people we don’t know. We may fear a stranger we meet, perhaps the sower in the parable of the sower and the seed, Jesus spoke of. What will become of all the seeds he scatters?

“A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path and was trampled, and the birds of the sky ate it up. Some seed fell on rocky ground, and when it grew, it withered for lack of moisture. Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew with it and choked it. And some seed fell on good soil, and when it grew, it produced fruit a hundredfold,” Luke 8:5-8.

“Some seed” is sown on rocky thin soil which immediately springs up and dies of thirst. Then, some seed is sown and the wind carries it into a briar patch where it can hardly breathe, take care of itself in a crowd wishing he had landed on some weed-free nourishing soil where he could thrive, have seeds of his own and contribute to the community of seed growers in the world. But what a risk. And he hadn’t taken into account the seed that fell on hard ground,“was trampled” and later eaten by “birds of the sky”. That would be the worst possibility, he thinks. Thoreau, however, would say, they were lucky seeds which the birds released after consuming their endoderm and husks disbursing them in far off lands to prosper.

 FAQs

How long are the retreats?

Two, three or four days beginning Friday morning or evening through Sunday, Monday or Tuesday afternoon. We will confirm your choice of retreat days by telephone after your registration form is completed. 

How can I contact the organizer with any questions?

Email: FatherTomSays@gmail or call (815) 793-7465. Be sure to leave a message for a return call.

What is the retreat schedule?

Our retreats begin with Morning Mass. Our group activities include the readings and our discussions of the Church's ancient tradition of the Office of the Hours three times daily, morning, mid-day and mid-afternoon. At other times we maintain silence during the day except for ordinary conversation during meals. For those interested we will have daily classes on gardening, nutrition and making sourdough bread.  Much of our gardening provides the food for our meals. At other times during the day you may do as you please, take a hike or walk our wooded farmland area, read or whatever suits you.

What will the retreat cost me?

Nothing or a good-will donation as you choose.  "Freely you received and freely you should offer", as Jesus instructed his Apostles ( Matthew 10:8 ). Your retreat will include a private guest bedroom, meals and other amenities associated with a hotel stay ( except, of course, room service--its a retreat, afterall ).

Other questions or requests

Email or call.  You may have to leave a voicemail which I will return.

Final Note

Registration is required no later than three full days before a scheduled retreat begins ( open link top left side of page ) at which time, however, there may not be any tickets available. Our retreats are purposefully small for five to seven individuals or married couples. Register early. If later you cannot attend simply email me at FatherTomSays@gmail.com as soon as you can. Others may be on a wait list.