The 36 participants of Holy Name of Jesus Parish’s women’s retreat, with retreat director and parish parochial vicar, Fr. Christopher Grief. The retreat took place Jan. 25-27 at Sarto House retreat center in Evansville, Ind. COURTESY OF HOLY NAME OF JESUS PARISH
‘Sweet Tea and Turnip Greens’ the theme of 2024 Holy Name women’s retreat
BY HOLY NAME OF JESUS PARISH STAFF, SPECIAL TO THE WESTERN KENTUCKY CATHOLIC
Fr. Christopher Grief, parochial vicar at Holy Name of Jesus Parish in Henderson, led a three-day women’s retreat Jan. 25-27. This year’s theme, inspired by both of Fr. Grief’s grandmothers, was “Sweet Tea and Turnip Greens.” Fr. Grief journeyed with the 36 retreatants, recognizing the sweetness of the Lord through difficult and “bitter” times.
Shannon Long, who attended this year’s retreat said, “I enjoyed how Fr. Christopher was able to use personal stories, rooted in scripture, showing all of us that even when we face challenges in our lives, Our Lord is with us.”
Many laughs, sharing and reflections filled the Sarto House retreat center in Evansville, Ind., these three days. He had been on several retreats himself, but this was Fr. Grief’s first experience in leading a retreat.
He said, “I prayed for this retreat to be a renewing and uplifting time for the women. Recognizing the sweetness of the Lord, shows us the sweetness and goodness in each other.”
Fr. Grief shared in the closing Mass for the retreat that, “these three days were in itself our homily. Writing it together as we shared, and opened up about the sweetness of the Lord in our lives.”
Originally printed in the March 2024 issue of The Western Kentucky Catholic.
