St. Irenaeus summarized the Christian life by saying, “the glory of God is man fully alive!” With engaging speakers, inspired music, and joyful participants, the “Fully Alive” retreat could not have had a more fitting title.
From October 22nd to 23rd at Saint Anthony’s parish in Cambridge, the Shalom Catholic Community held its second annual “Fully Alive” retreat, a Life in the Spirit Seminar. Father Walter Carreiro, who was influential in bringing Shalom missionaries to the United States, generously opened Saint Anthony’s parish hall for the retreat’s use. There were over 40 registrants, an exciting increase in numbers from Shalom’s debut last year.
The “Fully Alive” retreat featured talks from dynamic speakers such as Andrea Alberti, head of Saint Mary’s Theology Department in Lynn , Father Matt Williams with the Office for the New Evangelization of Youth and Young Adults at the Archdiocese of Boston, as well as several Shalom missionaries. The retreat included Holy mass, reverent adoration, and praise and worship music from a talented live band.
The Holy Spirit was active and present throughout the weekend. There were testimonies of miracles, signs of hope, and healing. Retreat participants were encouraged to continue walking in the footsteps the retreat began by participating in a weekly prayer group at the Shalom Catholic Community center at Saint Francis parish in Cambridge. The prayer group is open to all retreat participants and will be held every Saturday from 5-7pm. The first prayer group took place on Saturday October 28th.