Annual Appeal

                                                                                                                                                                                                                    November, 2012
 
Dear Friends of Our Lady of Calvary Retreat,
 
Since I began my ministry as the Interim Administrator of our retreat house bak in early August, I have reunited with many people who I knew from my time here in the 1990's.  It has been so wonderful to renew these bonds.  Wonderful, loyal women and men who have remained committed to this ministry.  I have also met others, especially younger women, who have come to value what Our Lady of Calvary represents...women who recognize that in the midst of busy lives, it is important to have an oasis to renew and revitalize themselves.  In addition I have begun to work side by side with a staff and a team who remain dedicated to the house and work tirelessly for the good of this ministry.  All of this has renewed my own commitment and love for the gift that OLC is to the world and to the Church here in our little corner of creation.  I have been reminded over and over again how very important it is that our retreat house remains vital and alive.
 
However, I would be less than honest if I failed to share with you that financially we are struggling to make ends meet.  As many of you are also well aware, the costs associated with maintaining a home are difficult to meet.  The rising cost of fuel alone has hit all of us hard and every day there seems to be yet another repair needed.  As my own dear mother used to say, "There always seems to be too much month at the end of the money."
 
While we struggle to cut our expenses, the other way to make ends meet and to reduce the red ink on our financial reports, is to increase revenue.  To this end we are making concerted efforts to promote our programs, especially our women's weekend retreats.  Our newly-established Outreach Committee has been trying to come up with creative ways to spread our Good News.  One of their projects is the formation of a Speakers Bureau made up of women who are making themselves available to speak to groups about what we have to offer at OLC.  They have also produced an incredible promotional video.  I hope you have the opportunity to view this short video and perhaps discover ways to share it with others.  Good things are happening at OLC and we need to get that message out.
 
There are many ways in which you can share in our endeavors:  first and foremost through your prayer, as well as by promotion of our programs, and by participation in all that happens at OLC.  And as always your financial support is vitally important and it is for this reason that I write to you today.  Your response to this, our Annual Appeal, is a very tangible way to help.  Our world, our Church, our women need this important ministry.  Please help us to keep it viable and alive for many years to come.  It is our communal legacy.
 
On behalf of the OLC Community I thank you for all you have done and can continue to do for this ministry.  May God bless you and your family at this time of harvest and thanksgiving.
 
Gratefully,
 
Joanne Fahey, C.P.
Interim Administrator
 
 
 
 

OUR LADY OF CALVARY RETREAT CENTER
31 Colton Street • Farmington, CT 06032  • (860) 677-8519 • olcretreat@sbcglobal.net