Retreat brings Chancery staff together

By New Outlook  

How many times have you experienced something and asked yourself, “Is there a spiritual meaning to this?” Father Paul Coury posed that question to Chancery staff for the Diocese of Tucson last week. The priest, who belongs to the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, is a former director of the Redemptorist Renewal Center in Tucson. The longtime priest spent the day with staff encouraging the more than 60 men and women to reflect on their work serving the Church and the needs of the diocese. This year’s theme was titled, Heroic Messengers of Hope.  

The day began in prayer, then transitioned into presentations and group discussions, it ended with Mass. Father Paul centered his presentation on this year’s Jubilee of Hope. In his comments Father Paul reminded the staff, “Hope is a constant awakening. We must get back into the spirit of how you were made.” He asked if anyone had experienced a “luminous feeling” something he described as transformation which can result in feeling overwhelmed but then somehow connected, “Life is about change,” which Father Paul likened to the gospel, “Transformation can happen like an explosion. These moments come in at odd times, but God knows.” Following a change, he said we are awakened, “Every moment is overflowing with the intimacy of God.”  

Father Paul encouraged the staff who represented all departments ranging from properties to the bishop’s office to seek moments where they can awaken to love and then decide what to do with it, “After you’re awake, store and share these precious moments.” Chris Barrios has worked for the diocese for more than 30 years, she currently serves in the finance department, “It was an emotional day. A lot of good came from it. Though we work together we don’t all necessarily know each other. It was nice to be in one place learning more about one another and how we can better serve the diocese as a team.”  

Drawing on the power of hope Father Paul said should remind us that, “We are all one in goodness and we should return to the spiritual depth that we once had.”  

If you’d like to learn more about retreat offered at the Redemptorist Renewal Center, please visit https://desertrenewal.org/