Oblates – St Michael Orthodox Church

Walking with Jesus — Lenten Retreat

April 1, 2024April 1, 2024 parish-admin

The theme “Walking with Jesus: Reflections on the Via Dolorosa” will be the basis for the annual Lenten Retreat on April 13 at St Michael Orthodox Church. The Very Reverend Father John W. Fenton, Pastor of St Michael’s and Faculty at the Antiochian House of Studies, will offer three meditations on this theme.

Since 1991, the Society of St Benedict (Oblates) has hosted the Lenten Retreat. Surrounded by the Liturgy of Hours and Mass, this silent retreat offers time for reflection, prayer, and meditation prompted by Fr. John’s presentations.

The retreat is designed to prepare the soul during mid-Lent for the final days before Holy Week. It begins with Prime (First Hour) and concluding with None (Ninth Hour) and Benediction at 3 p.m.

Fast friendly meals and collations will be provided; however, childcare is not offered.

If you wish to attend, please RSVP by clicking this link or by sending an email to StMichaelWhittier@gmail.com. The retreat is open to all, both Orthodox and non-Orthodox.

Annual Lenten Retreat 2020

February 11, 2020November 8, 2023 V. Rev. Fr. John Fenton

To aid your Lenten Fast with prayer and meditation, the Society of St Benedict of St Michael Antiochian Orthodox Church will host the V Rev Patrick Cardine on Saturday, March 14, for a day-long Lenten Retreat.

Fr Patrick will present three meditations on the theme “Discovering Stability in Community.” Fr Patrick is the Pastor of St Patrick Orthodox Church in Bealeton VA.

His meditations will be will surrounded by prayer and Liturgy, silence for reflection and private prayer, and opportunities for confession.

The retreat begins with First Hour (Prime) prayers at 9 a.m. and concludes by 3 p.m. with Ninth Hour (None) prayers.

Fast friendly meals will be provided; however, child care is not offered. St Michael Church is located at 3333 Workman Mill Road, Whittier CA 90601.

Please RSVP by sending an email to St Michael Church (stmichaelwhittier@gmail.com) or by telephoning the parish office (562.692.6121).

Lenten Retreat March 16, 2019

February 23, 2019November 8, 2023 V. Rev. Fr. John Fenton

To aid your Lenten Fast with prayer and meditation, the Society of St Benedict of St Michael Antiochian Orthodox Church will host the V Rev John Finley on Saturday, March 16, for a day-long Lenten Retreat.

Fr John will present three meditations on the theme “The Inner Heaven of Man” which will focus our attention on the healing of Mind, Heart, and Will.

Fr John is the chairman of the Department of Missions & Evangelism for the Antiochian Archdiocese. His meditations will be will surrounded by prayer and Liturgy, silence for reflection and private prayer, and opportunities for confession.

The retreat begins with First Hour (Prime) prayers at 9 a.m. and concludes by 3 p.m. with Ninth Hour (None) prayers. Fast friendly meals will be provided; however, child care is not offered.

St Michael Church is located at 3333 Workman Mill Road, Whittier CA 90601. Please RSVP by sending an email to Fr John Fenton (frjohnfenton@gmail.com) or by telephoning the parish office (562.692.6121).

Advent Retreat on December 8, 2018

October 23, 2018November 8, 2023 V. Rev. Fr. John Fenton

The Society of St Benedict will host the annual Advent Retreat on December 8.

The Very Reverend Patrick O’Grady from St Peter the Apostle Church in Pomona will present the three Advent meditations on “Obedience, Repentance, & Pure Prayer.”

This retreat is open to all persons. It is designed primarily to give, for at least a few hours, a respite from the many distractions in December so that one can focus on the gift of Our Lord in our flesh.

The retreat begins with Prime at 9 a.m. and concludes by 3 p.m. with None. Please RSVP by email (frjohnfenton@gmail.com) or telephone (562.692.6121).

(Note: Child care is not provided.)

Lenten Retreat on March 10, 2018

February 24, 2018November 8, 2023 V. Rev. Fr. John Fenton

The Rt. Rev. John Abdalah, Bishop of the Diocese of Worcester and the Western Rite Vicariate, will present the annual Lenten Retreat at St Michael’s Church on March 10. His Grace’s three meditations on “Being Right with God” will draw attention to the Sacrament of Penance (Private Confession).

This retreat, hosted by the parish’s Society of St Benedict, will follow the Benedictine model of a “silent retreat.” Therefore, there will be ample quiet time for personal prayer, reflection, and meditation.

This event is intended to provide a break from the busyness of this world, to offer time to learn how to live the season of Lent, and to refresh and prepare the soul for the Lenten journey.

The retreat begins at 9 a.m. with prayer according to the rule of St Benedict, and concludes at 3 p.m. Lunch will be provided, and a free will donation is appreciated. Child care, unfortunately, will not be available.

For more information or to RSVP, please call or email the St Michael parish office.

St Michael Orthodox Church is located at 3333 Workman Mill Road, across the street from Rio Hondo College.

2017 Lenten Retreat

February 18, 2017November 8, 2023 V. Rev. Fr. John Fenton

The Society of St Benedict will host their annual Lenten Retreat on Saturday, March 4, at St Michael Orthodox Christian Church in Whittier.

“The Character of the Godly Heart” is the theme of the retreat. Rev. Dr. Calinic Berger, Assistant Pastor at St Nicholas Cathedral in Los Angeles, will offer three meditations during the retreat. In addition to the meditations, this retreat follows the Benedictine model of a “silent retreat.” Therefore, there will be ample quiet time for personal prayer, reflection, and meditation.

This event is intended to provide a break from the busyness of this world, to offer time to learn how to live the season of Lent, and to refresh and prepare the soul for the Lenten journey.

Fr. Calinic earned a PhD in Systematic theology from Catholic University of America in Washington DC. He has been a Visiting Professor of Dogmatic Theology at St. Vladimir’s Seminary in Yonkers NY, and has taught and published on Orthodox theology and spiritual life in a variety of venues.

For more information or to RSVP, please call or email the St Michael parish office.

St Michael Orthodox Church is located at 3333 Workman Mill Road, across the street from Rio Hondo College.

Advent Retreat

November 8, 2016November 8, 2016 V. Rev. Fr. John Fenton

T 1225241_orig he Society of St Benedict, a ministry of St Michael’s Church, will hold its annual Advent Retreat on Saturday, December 10. [download retreat flyer].

The meditations for this year’s retreat will be offered by the Very Reverend Edward Hughes, Pastor of St George Orthodox Church in Lawrence, Mass., and Vicar General for the Western Rite Vicariate.

The retreat will begin at 9 a.m. and conclude at 3 p.m. It will include praying select offices from the Benedictine Breviary, Mass, and quiet time for reading, prayer, confession and reflection. During the course of the retreat, Fr Hughes will offer three meditations. [download the schedule]

In keeping with the Benedictine tradition, this is a silent retreat. This means that, apart from the meditations and the prayer offices, silence will be kept for reading, prayer, and reflection.This retreat, and its companion Lenten retreat, have been offered for several years, and attract persons from several Orthodox and non-Orthodox parishes.

To RSVP or for more information, simply use the contact form below or call the parish office (562.692.6121).

The Society of St. Benedict is a ministry of St Michael’s Church, open to any Christian who desires to meet regularly to pray and live under the guidance of the Rule of St Benedict in their own situation. The primary aim of the Society is to support and encourage oblates of Benedictine monasteries, and so it recommends that each of its members maintain an active relationship as an oblate (or its equivalent) in a regular monastery.

Oblates 2013 May Newsletter

May 28, 2013June 2, 2013 Mark Hudson

Christ is Risen! Truly He is Risen!

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