Retreat center at Minnesota parish aims to 'invite the uninvited'

Published: 2006-01-05

OSAKIS, Minn. (CNS) -- St. Elizabeth of Hungary served God through healing the sick and feeding the hungry. Eight centuries later, St. Elizabeth of Hungary Retreat Center in Osakis is living up to its patron saint -- serving those who are hungry for healing, wisdom, welcome, rest, justice or just some peace of mind. "God calls us to reach out to all, especially those who we may have forgotten or who have 'fallen through the cracks,'" said Father Richard McGuire, pastor of Immaculate Conception Church in Osakis. "Since the retreat center opened in February 2003, our mission has been to invite the uninvited, as Jesus did," he said. Recent spiritual weekend retreats at St. Elizabeth Retreat Center were aimed at groups of people who might not feel at home in some churches, church services or parish events -- single mothers, men interested in recovery from alcoholism and lesbians. Such scheduled retreats, which do not occur during summer months, are also offered to less specific audiences, such as those interested in contemplative prayer.

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