A Healing Retreat for Crime Survivors in the Diocese of Fresno

Photo of participants in a Healing Retreat in the Diocese of Fresno on June 26, 2021

A Healing Retreat for Victims of Crime was offered by the Crime Survivors Ministry led by Maciel Godburn on June 26, 2021 at Saint Anthony Retreat Center in Three Rivers, California. The retreat included a Restorative Justice healing circle process where the participants were able to share in small groups of 4-6 people. Restorative Justice healing questions were answered by the participants during the circle process. Guidelines on circle process and the rules for the use of the talking stick were followed during the small group sharing. In-between the morning and afternoon sessions a Healing Mass was celebrated by the Most Reverend Joseph V. Brennan, D.D. At the end of the day, Monsignor John Griesbach led a powerful healing ceremony and Rob Hodges led the group to a Healing Walk in the labyrinth accompanied by the beautiful sound of cello music.

We praise and thank God for His faithfulness to His people. All of the retreat participants felt the healing presence of our Good Lord Jesus Christ through the small group sharing, the healing Mass by the Bishop, the closing ceremony of shared suffering by Msgr. Greisbach, the healing walk in the labyrinth, the beautiful healing music, the beautiful and comforting setup of the meeting room, and the warm, loving, and accepting presence of all present. They went away feeling at peace, joyful despite their grief and sorrow for the loss of their loved ones and the crime they had suffered. Most importantly, they left with hope for healing. For many of them the healing had already begun.

Please mark your calendar for next year's Healing Retreat, Saturday, June 25, 2022. Please invite all who may benefit from a healing retreat. Please contact Maciel Godburn for more information. rjmaciel2019@gmail.com

 

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