CRHP - Christ Renews His Parish

A few months ago, I attended a retreat at my parish. I went into it not knowing anything about the purpose of the retreat, who would be there, why I would need such a retreat… In fact, the more I think about it, I’m not sure if there was any piece of myself that desired to go; not that I was opposed to attending (the idea of a weekend away from home with other like-minded women always sounds wonderful) but I never gave it much thought. I signed up and knew I would go. I didn't spend time in prayer in preparation. I just knew that I was going.

It occured to me as I pulled into the parking lot that I didn’t know anyone who would be there. Never before have I put myself in that situation. I always like to know at least one person, but as I drove to the retreat, I felt no fear. Then I prayed, "Well, God, I think you're the one who brought me here. Can you also send someone I know, or at least recognize from my church?" Before I turned the car off, two women pulled into parking spaces on either side of me; both familiar and both from my church. Thank you, God!


Christ Renews His Parish is a Catholic curriculum designed to enrich, encourage and “shine up” the faith of the men and women of the church. With an overnight stay right in the parish hall, all your meals together, and the Bible and God’s love as the centerpiece, the CRHP weekend allowed me to see all the layers we put up around ourselves to protect us from society and our own fears. Slowly throughout the weekend, I was able to peel those back. It hurt, like ripping a band-aid off your arm hurts, but once it’s off, the wound doesn’t look so bad. Medicine can be applied and healing can begin again. Scars? Sure, but I realize now that the scar is a reminder of where I’ve come from, a mark of a lesson learned, and a reminder that although our bodies are in God’s image, our choices can mar our appearance. But God is a loving God. He forgives all those who ask for forgiveness. And through retreats like CRHP, he offers a helping hand to pull us off the floor, he dusts us off, and loves us enough to let us try again.

I remember learning to ride my bike. I was so afraid of falling, of skinning my knees, that I almost didn’t learn. But my dad was right there. He held onto my seat until he could feel my balance growing. When he let go, he still ran next to me. When he stopped running, his watchful eye still followed my path. When I fell, he was right there to pick me up, dust me off, and help me start again.

That’s what this feels like; the band-aids are off, ointment has been applied, and I’ve been dusted off for another go - and now I have a prayerful team of sisters surrounding me. Christ Renews His Parish. Yes He does!