Past Reflections

Find past weekly reflections by date

July 12, 2009 - A SAD GOODBYE TO SAINT GABRIEL'S YOUTH RETREAT HOUSE

by Father Edward L. Beck, C.P.

This weekend is a sad one. We will celebrate our LAST public Mass at St. Gabriel’s Youth Retreat House on Shelter Island, New York. Due to the severe financial crisis that the Passionists are now facing, we can no longer afford to keep and operate this great YOUTH RETREAT CENTER. Also, because we need to generate additional revenue for our very survival, we are being forced to put the whole property up for sale. A sad turn of events indeed. This is particularly hard for me personally because this is the Retreat Center where I received my Passionist vocation. Some of you know this story from my book GOD UNDERNEATH, and you will remember that I was forced to go on this spiritual retreat as a Junior in High School. It was a requirement of the High School that I attended. I went kicking and screaming and left laughing and uplifted. I witnessed something I never had before: a deep connection with my faith and spirituality. It made sense to me in a way it never had previously. And it did mostly because of the religious and priests in the black habits and Passionist hearts who were so very human and welcoming and brimming with a zest for life and their mission. Over the years the Passionists have ministered to hundreds of thousands of teenagers all over the Tri-State area. Many have returned or have written to tell us how much the retreat meant to them at a crucial time in their lives. They felt the hand of forgiveness or the embrace of acceptance or the joy of being loved. Ministry to youth is so crucial, especially in these uncertain times. I hope that the Passionists can continue to do this ministry in someplace, in some way. But, alas, it will no longer be at St. Gabriel’s on Shelter Island. That chapter in our history ends with the final Mass this weekend. But the memory and impact lingers for a lifetime. And not just in my soul but in the souls of many who have found God on that seashore and were never the same afterwards. Thank you St. Gabriels and the many priests and brothers who have ministered there over the past 46 years of YOUTH MINISTRY. Blessings - Father Edward L. Beck, C.P.