'Psalms by the Sea' brings people to water's edge for reflection

Published: 2007-07-24

LONG BEACH, N.Y. (CNS) -- As waves crashed on the beach, sea gulls flew by and a family set up fishing poles, a dozen people sat on beach chairs to talk about the Book of Psalms. Carol Doherty, pastoral associate of St. Anthony's Church in Oceanside, organized "Psalms by the Sea" at Long Beach on the first Fridays of June, July, and August. The program is sponsored by Tabor Retreat Center, also in Oceanside, which offers retreats, workshops and programs for spiritual development. "The psalms are prayers that involve every emotion and many facets of the human experience," Doherty told The Long Island Catholic, newspaper of the Diocese of Rockville Centre, during the July 6 gathering. "We want to help people make the psalms their own." Gerri Campbell, a St. Anthony's parishioner, said, "I love the psalms and this is a great place to reflect on them. I feel close to God here."

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