If you cannot make a retreat because of COVID-19 restrictions, consider making a “personal retreat” at home. These retreat activities are modeled loosely on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola. 
Set aside some quiet time one weekend for prayer and reading and reflecting on Scripture. Even an hour or so each day can help “recharge your spiritual batteries.” Here are ideas for a“personal retreat.”

• Embrace Silence. Turn off your phone, television and computer.  Find a comfortable place to be without distraction.

• Rest. Take a nap. Sit by a fireplace or in the sun on the patio.  
• Reflect on the truths revealed in Sacred Scripture. For example:
• The Lord invites you to prayer ... and the Holy Spirit helps
  • • Luke 11:1-13 – “Lord, teach us to pray.”
    • Romans 9: 26-35 – “The Spirit gives us words to pray.”
    • Isaiah 55 – “ Come, you who are thirsty, listen.”
• God loves you always:
  • • Isaiah 43:1-7 – “You are precious in my eyes.”
    • Psalm 23 – “The Lord is my shepherd.”
    • John 14:15-28 – “I will never forget you.”
• In sinning, you turn from God Who always offers Mercy
  • • Luke 15:11-32 – “The Prodigal Son”
    • John 8:1-11 – “Woman caught in adultery”
    • Psalm 139 – “O God, you know me …”
    • Psalm 51 – “The Miserere”  
• Jesus died for the forgiveness of your sins
  • • Matt 27:1-61 – “The Passion and death of the Lord”
    • Psalm 88 – A Lament
    • Philippians 2:5-11 – “He empties Himself … “  
• Jesus rose from the dead that you might have eternal life
  • • Luke 24:36-49 or John 20:19-29 – The Resurrection
    • John 3:16 – "God so loved the world ..."
    • Ephesians 1:15-23 – On our Salvation

• Practice the ancient art of Lectio Divina, quiet, slow contemplative prayer with Scripture, such as the passages above. Here is a link showing how.  
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  • Pray. Pray from your heart. Pray to discern God’s will for you. Pray the Rosary. Pray for the particular physical and spiritual needs of people you love. Pray for the salvation of those who would do you harm. Pray to praise God, to say you’re sorry, to ask for what you need, and especially to give thanks. Pray mostly by listening within the Silence.  
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  • Do an Examination of Conscience.  Here is a link to some examples.
    • If your health risk permits it, take time on Saturday at 3:00 pm, to go to Confession at STM.  
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  • Reflect on The Way of the Cross. Here is a link to virtual version of The Stations of the Cross at STM parish.  
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  • And to end, Celebrate Mass, either at the parish or by streaming online.