Central Catholic Holds Unique Retreat for Faculty; Offers It as a Model

Eleven Lasallians from Central Catholic High School in Pittsburgh spent an unusual “retreat” weekend in the Laurel Mountains. Designed by Mary Ann Lloyd, a Buttimer Institute ‘01 graduate, the weekend was billed as a “getaway” and made available to all faculty and even spouses. Partially underwritten by a grant from District’s McShain Endowment, the weekend allowed time for relaxation, educational dialogue, community building activities, and a focus on key concepts of Lasallian spirituality.

The model, now in the process of being refined, will eventually be available for interested Lasallian groups. Final adaptations and additions will then be able to offer a handbook or resource for those interested in activating and/or initiating our Shared Mission in the Lasallian community.

What does a “getaway” weekend look like Pittsburgh-style? “Lots of food,” Mary Ann said, “and a variety of activities that are both interesting and carry a message.” A walk in the highlands for the Stations of the Cross was very meaningful to many. Each person was asked to write a brief personal anecdote relative to the assigned station, following by a prayer. When to stop along the way was the choice of each person as well. “The whole thing took less than an hour but the richness of each person’s connection to the passion was both humbling and inspiring”, she said.

Participants were able to enjoy a tour of the museum and chapel at the Antichian Village complex that is sponsored by the Orthodox churches of America. Learning about icons proved to be a surprising treat. The “Masks We Wear” was actually a study in St. John Baptist de La Salle’s ideas concerning self-abnegation and mortification. Another Central teacher, Mary Ann Shablousky guided folks through a mask-making session replete with plaster of Paris casts done for each person. “We addressed the issue of ‘dying to oneself’ as a process of eliminating the many masks that we are called to wear in our lives,” Lloyd stated.

“A shared mission is both personal and apostolic. The acceptance of ourselves as Apostles or ambassadors of Christ occurs in and of the world we live in. That world is replete with the ‘junk’ of our lives. Sometimes we just have to begin with a mental housekeeping that asks us to ‘get away’ from that life by ‘going away… We’ll do it again.’”