BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD.  

PSALM 46:10

Wellspring is a Catholic spirituality center that offers spiritual growth opportunities such as classes and retreats and promotes contemplative spirituality. The center is owned and operated by The Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales and operates on a basic vision that all of God’s people are called to holiness and that it is possible for all to live a contemplative life style while being active in ministry.

RETREATS

OUR MASSES

RETREATS

ADVENT

RETREAT

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Saturday, December 3, 2022

9:30 am - 12:30 pm

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The season of Advent is meant to be a

deeply spiritual experience.  It reminds us that

our faith in God, our hope in His promises and

our love for Him and each other are the greatest gifts that we possess.  Join us at Wellspring as

we reflect on ways to grow in faith, hope, and

love as we wait for the coming of the Christ Child.

 

Fr. Gus will guide the retreat.

To register, please email us at retreatsatwellspring@gmail.com

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WEDNESDAYS WITH ST. FRANCIS DE SALES

December 28, 2022 is the 400th death anniversary of St. Francis de Sales, the Gentleman Saint, who lived a simple life and left a spiritual legacy for the coming generations. All the religious congregations and entities following the spirituality of St. Francis de Sales are making this important day as a time of celebration, inspiring remembrances and spiritual growth opportunities.

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Wednesdays with St. Francis de Sales – A five-minute reflection on the spirituality of St. Francis de Sales will be offered every Wednesday by a member of one of the religious orders that follows the Spirituality of St. Francis de Sales. Fr. Gus offered the first of the series on Wednesday, April 27th. You may access his reflections and the reflections of other members of various religious orders each week:

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Fr. Gus Tharappel's Reflections
This Week's Reflections

masses

SUNDAY MASSES

9:00 am and 5:00 pm

DAILY MASSES

Monday - Friday

6:45 am

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The Mother of Compassion Shrine

is open daily for 

prayer and reflection. 

second Sunday of advent

REFLECTIONS FOR PRAYER AND WORSHIP

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

 

Today, we celebrate the second Sunday of Advent. The Scripture readings of today’s mass offer us a vision of a people transformed by God and empowered with the many gifts of the Holy Spirt to live a life worthy of our calling. They call us to be involved in this process of our transformation by repentance and change of heart - conversion of our attitudes, change of our behavior patterns, maintaining harmony in the community, doing good for others, looking out for other’s needs, resolving conflicts and tension amicably, using God-given gifts to benefit others in our communities, etc.

 

The first reading (Isaiah 11:1-10), gives us an inspiring vision of God doing something radically new for his people by giving them a king empowered with virtues beyond ordinary human understanding.  At the time Isaiah shared this vision, Ahaz was king of Judah (735-732 BCE). He was weak in many ways. In his desperation, he tried to forge a political alliance with foreign powers in order to fend off a hostile takeover of Judah by Assyria. Isaiah counselled against such alliance and encouraged Ahaz to rely on God and God’s way. Even after the Assyrians had invaded, the prophet urged fidelity to God rather than military might and support of allies.

 

Isaiah describes the power and the virtue of the promised king in whom the promise of God would be fulfilled. The spirit of the Lord will bless and empower this chosen king to be a man of virtue beyond all ordinary human understanding. The spirit of the Lord will rest on him and empower him with gifts (Isaiah 11:1-10) – we know them today as the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

 

The Church’s tradition lists seven gifts of the Holy Spirit as Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety and Fear of the Lord, as described in this excerpt from Isaiah (Is. 11:1-2). Isaiah saw them as God’s gifts to the king for the service of his people. We see them today as gifts for the common good - for the benefit of the community, and not for personal gain/profit. This list of gifts does not imply that there are no other gifts from the Spirit of God. There are as many gifts as there are people. The list could be seen and understood as inclusive of all gifts that God gives to each of us. It is up to each of us to open ourselves, discern and discover our own gifts with which we are gifted. We are gifted persons, a gifted community and a gifted Church. We are gifted with the Holy Spirit and spirited with His gifts. Let us be grateful. The Holy Spirit calls us to develop these gifts, share them with others and use them for the service of the community.

 

To read more of this Sunday's reflections click on the link below…