This past August 7 to 10, LifeSite came of age in a special way. During that time we held our only fifth annual working staff meeting and retreat.
But this was the first time it took place in the U.S., in the beautiful Virginia countryside a few miles from our Front Royal, U.S. office at the Archdiocese of Arlington's retreat center.
This was also the first year that we had all the members of both the LifeSite U.S. and Canada boards meet jointly and also join in the staff meetings. It was a wonderful, prayerful and highly productive few days.
I know that many of the newer board members were deeply impressed by the high level of expertise and experience among LifeSite staff members, as well as the strong spiritual emphasis that we always place on all that we do and that was reinforced throughout the three days.
We were privileged to have HLI president Fr. Shenan Boquet celebrate daily mass for all the Catholic staff and board members, as well as lead other prayers and participate in all the discussions.
Other guest participants who took a very active part in the discussions were Michael Hichborn of American Life League, Stephen Mosher of Population Research Institute, Jim Hughes, president of Canada’s Campaign Life Coalition, and John Smeaton of Britain’s Society for the Protection of Unborn Children. Smeaton participated in a lengthy session on international issues via Skype from England, as though he were right there with us. LifeSite reporter Hilary White also joined that and other sessions via Skype from her home near Rome.
One crucial reason for having this annual gathering is to build community among the LifeSite staff, since most work from their homes and rarely get the opportunity to actually personally meet with each other. We talk every day via Skype or by telephone and email, starting every day with our joint morning prayer. However, actually being with each other and talking, laughing, singing, strategizing and sharing experiences in person is a much-needed and special experience.
Not everyone can attend. It is prohibitive to fly our part-time staff from great distances abroad. We just don’t have the funds. But we try to get as many staff as we can to come to these annual retreats.
The meetings are exceptionally well organized. Much is accomplished and little time is wasted during these meeting sessions. The agenda is usually packed with serious discussion and planning, although we also always set aside some time for much needed laughter, social times and spiritual breaks.
Being in the Virginia countryside has its unusual aspects. Virginia is also gun country. When John-Henry Westen and Fr. Boquet decided to go for a long walk outside the grounds to discuss some deep issues they had to compete with an hour long, outdoor shooting practice from nearby neighbours. However, they took it in stride.
I wish you could all be a fly on the wall during our annual retreats. We keep trying to tell you about the LifeSite team and our mission, but nothing makes it come alive more than being there with us at one of these retreats. The energy and passion that is alive there among all of the team is something to behold. It is then that one really begins to understand what we are about and the very deep commitment that the entire staff has to this mission of truth.
By the end we part spiritually uplifted, re-energized, and better informed with new plans and solidified personal relationships with some of the best people in the world.
The 2014 meeting and retreat was by far the best yet. Kudos to the Front Royal staff for a first rate job in organizing it.
LifeSite work is admittedly personally very challenging for every member of the team. But you know, they feel privileged to be called to it.
Thanks for any support that you are able to give to this mission with a donation!
Steve Jalsevac
Co-founder (1997)
Managing Director
LifeSite