“The Church at Her Best: Living by Faith, Hope, and Love,” was the theme of the Michigan Area’s annual retreat, held April 5 at St. Peter Catholic Church in Mt. Clemens.

“When the world is at its worst, the Church needs to be at Her best,” said Fr. Augustine Puchner, O.Praem, ChC, who served as retreat master. Fr. Puchner is prior of the Norbertine community in Springfield, Illinois, a daughter priory of St. Michael’s Abbey in Orange County, California.

As in Jesus’ time, the world “is a dark and sinful place,” but because of Christ’s sacrifice, “now the world has access to the grace that saves us,” Fr. Puchner said. “The Church offers to the world the gifts that truly save.”

Fr. Puchner, who has served as chaplain to the Order’s Western Association, said that the Order’s calling to serve the poor, sick, and suffering “is a revolutionary idea” introduced by Christ. He pointed to the 4th and 13th centuries as examples of “the strength of the Church to influence cultures with the goodness of the doctrines of Jesus.”

Fr. Puchner also gave a brief history of the Norbertine Order. Founded in 1121 in France by St. Norbert, the Norbertine, or Premonstratensian Order has the motto “Prepared for every good work.” Unlike other orders that have a specific charism, such as teaching or nursing, Norbertine priests are “canons regular, “ meaning that they adapt themselves to the needs of the community where they live.  St. Michael’s Abbey was founded by seven Norbertine priests who fled Communist Hungary in 1950, eventually settling in Orange County. The Springfield priory opened in the summer of 2023.

In keeping with the Michigan Area’s First Saturday practice, the event included the full First Saturday devotion: Mass, recitation of the Rosary, meditation on the mysteries of the Rosary, and the opportunity for Confession.

Mass was concelebrated by Fr. Puchner and Fr. John Maksym, pastor of St. Peter’s; Fr. Maksym also heard confessions.

At the conclusion of the retreat, Michigan Area Chair Andy Smith, KM, presented Fr. Puchner with a little gift with a Detroit connection: An icon of Blessed Solanus Casey.

Following the retreat, the Michigan Area held an orientation for members who are joining this year’s Lourdes pilgrimage, with advice from those who have participated in multiple pilgrimages.

The Michigan Area is grateful to Fr. Maksym, Tina, Denise, and the entire team at St. Peter’s for being wonderful hosts at our retreat.

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