Rev. James D. Conley, D.D., S.T.L. | Diocese of Lincoln website

In a recent column, Amanda Weeder, Marketing and Ministry Coordinator at Our Lady of Good Counsel Retreat House in Waverly, emphasized the importance of taking time for spiritual renewal through annual retreats. She highlighted that busy schedules often leave little room for quiet reflection, yet the need for rest remains significant.

Weeder explained that retreats are not just for a select few but serve as an essential opportunity for all Christians to seek peace and strengthen their connection with God. According to her, “A retreat isn’t a luxury for the few. It’s a lifeline for every Christian seeking peace, clarity, and deeper connection with the Lord.”

She described how hundreds of people visit the retreat house each year to step away from daily distractions and find clarity in stillness. “God speaks most clearly when we slow down enough to listen,” she noted.

Weeder outlined several reasons why attending a yearly retreat is beneficial: reconnecting with faith, embracing silence as an invitation rather than emptiness, building inner strength, returning to daily life renewed, and inspiring others through personal transformation. She said, “A strong spiritual life is the steady foundation for everything else. Retreats nurture that interior strength, helping people return to daily life with greater peace, purpose, and spiritual clarity.”

Recognizing that not everyone can commit to a full weekend away from responsibilities, Our Lady of Good Counsel Retreat House offers Desert Days—single-day opportunities focused on prayer and silence. Upcoming dates include Jan. 22 (Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children), Feb. 18 (Ash Wednesday), March 17 (St. Patrick/St. Joseph), April 24 (Our Lady of Good Counsel), and May 13 (Our Lady of Fatima) in 2026.

Longer retreats such as Ignatian weekends are also available throughout the year for those seeking deeper reflection.

Weeder concluded by inviting individuals interested in learning more or registering for retreats to visit www.goodcounselretreat.org.

“At Our Lady of Good Counsel Retreat House, we invite you to rediscover the peace your heart longs for. Let us help you find God once again in the silence, in the stillness, in the beauty of retreat. Come away and rest a while. Find your spiritual home at Our Lady of Good Counsel Retreat House, where silence becomes sacred and God’s voice becomes clear,” she wrote.