Seventy-five mothers and daughters spent a day strengthening their relationship through reflections, speakers and prayer during the third annual Behold retreat. Presented by Theology of the Body Cleveland and the diocesan Office of Marriage and Family Ministry, Behold: Friendship took place March 21 at Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine in Euclid.
Speakers included Maggie Craig, Mary Kate Glowe and Sister Phyllis Ann Lavelle, OSST.
“The Lord desires to give us friends. He does not wish for us to be alone,” Craig said. “All we need to do is ask for that gift of faithful friendship, then get to work opening our arms to receive it.”
(See photo gallery above.)
Craig, who was raised in Greater Cleveland and now lives in California, said she was happy to be at the event. She offered suggestions to attendees about identifying toxic friendships and developing true friendships. “Pray, identify the issue and ask if you are the issue,” she said. “The number one thing to keep a friendship together is asking if this person is good for me.”
Glowe, a theology teacher at Walsh Jesuit High School, reminded retreat participants to watch how people talk about others in front of you, noting they may talk about you that way behind your back. She said she finds it “attractive” to see someone “lay down their life” for her, like clergy, religious and married couples, all of whom give of themselves for others.
“Friendship is the highest form of love,” Glowe said, but we can’t be friends with everyone. She encouraged the group to seek friends who will lead them to heaven. “We’re not meant to go through things alone,” she said, but she cautioned that it’s important to seek quality over quantity when developing friendships.
Sister Lavelle, provincial superior for the Sisters of the Host Holy Trinity who operate the shrine, spoke in the chapel about Mary and her importance in the Church. She pointed out some of the stained-glass windows that feature Our Lady of Lourdes, to whom the shrine is dedicated, noting we can use Mary to intercede for us with her son, Jesus.
Retreat attendees prayed the rosary before attending the Sunday vigil Mass celebrated by Father Damian Ference, diocesan vicar for evangelization.
He reflected on the story of Lazarus, a close friend, whom he raised from the dead in the Gospel story. Father Ference talked about Lazarus’ sisters Mary and Martha and how their friendship with Jesus evolved.
“I hope your friendships have grown and developed, also,” he said to the retreatants.
Learn more about Theology of the Body Cleveland and its programs here.