Companeros,

Hope you had a wonderful Happy Father’s Day!  As we sit back today and reflect on the national celebration of Fathers, and the Church’s great liturgical feast of Corpus Christi - just a few thoughts on our 18 hours together, up on the mountain.  As you will see from the enclosed photos, it was a wow!

It never ceases to amaze me, how the Lord works out these things, just in His divine time.  Yet, he has so much planned for us, than we could ever imagine.  7 talks on the individual gifts of the Holy Spirit - each led by the absolute right person.  

Chris Weir, the newly announced President of Servite High School on the gift of Wisdom.  

Superior Court judge Dave Belz, Co-Founder of the St. Thomas More Society of Orange County utilizing the Shroud Center of Southern California to share on the gift of Understanding, and how the Shroud of Turin ties in to the liturgical celebration of the Eucharist and the reality; body, blood, soul and divinity of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.  

Br. Mauricio using the first degree relied of St. Padre Pio to share with us on the gift of Knowledge.  and in addition to all that, Fathers Spencer and Evan hearing our Confessions, Wayne giving us his personal witness on the freedom he found while behind bars, and of course Fr. Evan celebrating mass with the musical leadership of Tony Medeiros before we began our great all night Eucharistic Adoration vigil.   And that was just Day 1!

Day 2 included four more talks - the Gift of Counsel, the gift of Fortitude with Kraig St. Pierre, the gift of Piety with Sisters Mary Andre and Miriam from the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist community who teach at J. Serra Catholic High School, and Mr. Afif brining it home with a talk on Holy Fear from the foot of the cross, before Fr. Bill Barman celebrated our closing mass.

The Holy Spirit team at Santiago Retreat Center working so hard in the background to make this retreat what it was. Gustavo and Maria on the event coordination, Michael and Sean kept us secure.  Mr. Afif, what can be said?  The smoker was smoking - trip tip with all the trimmings and pulled pork that was just what Diane needed to throw down the breakfast of breakfasts.  

We climbed Mt. Zion, camped out or stayed up all night in vigil, and then climbed to big cross to close out with mass. THIS was a Men on the Mountain retreat to remember. 

As we move into our week, just a few thoughts to consider:
Ephesians 6:1-4
Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit
5 weeks of Summer Camps at Santiago Retreat Center
Beginning a 3 year journey with the USCCB to pray, study and act in revival of the knowledge and love of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, Body-Blood-Soul-Divinity.

The retreat would not have been what it was without YOUR active participation and prayer.  Thank you for walking this camino and looking forward to our next Men on the Mountain which will be a Day of Reflection on Saturday, February 5, 2023.

Until then wishing us each a Buen Camino!

in the Immaculata,
Mark