Bus Day-Trip Retreat, Ender's Island, Mystic, June 28, 2023
A beautiful mixed day with clouds and sun was the back-drop for our one-day retreat. The theme was on St. Benedict. Many would say that our day and age is like that of St, Benedict. By 535 A.D. society and culture were in decline all throughout the Roman Empire.
St, Benedict's personal response was inspired, and he is considered the father of Western Civilization with his expansion of the Christian monastic movement, which extends to our own day. The monastic system played a large role in stabilizing society, creating centers of hospitality, education and worship. Please take time to read about this remarkable individual and saint.
Our retreat Master for the day was Fr. Demetri Belsito. He teaches at St. Joseph’s University in West Hartford and the School of Social Work at the University of Connecticut School of Social Work. He is also an adjunct professor at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT. He has taught many classes, workshops, and retreats for people of all ages. Father Demetri has studied the life and work of St. Francis for the past 35 years. Father Demetri also gives talks on Orthodox Spirituality, Iconography, the Lives of the Saints and the Fathers of The Church.