Message from the Board:

Some might say:  Where is God? Or how di I know that God cares? These are questions that most of us ask at times and to find these answers we must look outside of ourselves. It is these times when the Spiritual Center Retreat House can help. The peace of God, the people, the grounds and the programs do make a difference. Jesus Christ has favored us with His grace and we want everyone to share in this peace. Thank you for your continued prayer, support and involvement at the Spiritual Center. Enjoy God's Peace.

Deacon Greg Bornhorst, Board President

Message from the Director:

The sun shone brightly, and temperatures were near perfect as God continued to Bless the Spiritual Center Retreat House for the celebration of our 10th Anniversary of its' re-opening. Volunteers and staff members directed vehicles and provided golf cart rides directly to the covered porch. Guests coming in the front door were greeted with the sweet sounds of Paul Mizer on our baby grand piano. Many folks just pulled up a chair and spent the better part of the afternoon listening, humming and swaying to the beautiful music played by Paul and his daughter, protegee, Karina Mizer.

Several staff members assisted our guests with walking tours of the Retreat House, highlighting improvements, and areas not typically visited during a seminar or retreat. Guests also visited our beautiful woods, talking with our volunteers who maintain the paths, flowers, waterways and grottos.

A delightful Italian meal with a variety of desserts was prepared and served by out own kitchen staff and volunteers. Something new from the kitchen was "Dave's Delectable Coffee Cake," which sold out before the end of the day, but will be available for purchase during upcoming weekend retreats.

The Spiritual Center's Piecemakers graced Montini Hall with their outstanding hand-crafted items. I purchased some great pot-holders that not only work well, but look great in our kitchen at home. I am so thankful to the Piecemakers for their generosity of time, talent and materials.

Later, that afternoon, the Grandma's and Grandpa's brought their toe-tapping music to the Multi-Purpose Room. Oh, the smiles and good time experienced by those present.

There were scrapbooks and photo albums for viewing prepared by Karen Timmerman and her family just for this very special day.

The Board of Directors prayed in our Chapel throughout the afternoon and the Blessed Sacrament was exposed. Then they closed the celebration with Benediction. What a perfect end to a perfect day! However, this celebration never would have taken place had it not been for the Sisters of the Precious Blood who had the foresight to build this beautiful structure in 1961, and then continue to operate the Retreat House until 1997, over thirty years. As staff, board and volunteers, we have another twenty years of service to equal that of the Precious Blood Community. At a recent Deanery meeting I paraphrased something Sister Barbara Ann Hoying stated at the Sister's 175th Anniversary Celebration on August 16. "I stand on the shoulders of all the previous Directors of the Spiritual Center:  Brother Tom Bohman, Mr. Larry Reichley, Mr. Dan Roche and the numerous Sisters of the Precious Blood who served as directors, cooks, housekeepers, spiritual directors and retreat masters." I am also indebted to those individuals who believed in the re-opening of the Spiritual Center and gave huge amounts of time, effort and money. Your courage breathed new life into this sacred space for many generations to come. I recall Paul's Letter to the Thessalonians as I sincerely say, "I keep thanking God for all of you and remember you in my prayers."

Peace and Fall Blessings,

Charlene

Thank you to all who attended the Christmas Benefit Dinner and Dance held in Maria Stein on December 12, 2009.

Door Prize winners were:

15 cubic foot deep freeze (donated by Buschur Regrigeration) - Don Kremer

"Gentle Love" print by Fr. Jim Trick (donated by Spiritual Center Gift Shop - June Schmidt

$100 Savings Bond (Osgood State Bank) - Mary Bensman

Free oil change (Chickasaw Garage) - Fran Stucke

Free groom for pet (Maria Stein Animal Clinic) - Pat Mescher

$25 Gift Certificate (Huelsman Automotive) - Pat Prenger

$25 Cash (Minton's Veterinary Service) - Mary Frey

$25 Gift Certificate (Scott's Carry Out) - Annette Bruns

$25 Gift Certificate (Maria Stein Grain) - Fr. Jim Trick

$25 Cash (Ohio Recycling, Inc.) - Jim Dirksen

$20 Cash (Chickasaw Veterinary Center) - Dick Anderson

$20 Gift Certificate (Village Sports Shop) - Jerry Pulskamp

$10 Gift Card - (Korner Cafe) - Dick Stucke

One large pizza (Niekamp's Farm Market) - Ginny Knapke

16" Pizza (Silver Spurr, Town Tavern) - Steve Hausfeld

18" Pizza (Town Tavern) - Harold Krieg

Big Snowman - Diann Bornhorst

Little Snowman - Rita Heitkamp

Reindeer - Bob Unrast