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Holy Cross Catholic Retreat Center
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The Men from St. Luke and St. Matthew gathered to welcome 59 retreatants for an ACTS weekend May 3-6, 2012. |
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Fr. Giles Carie, OFM Conv., died April 17, 2012, in Las Cruces NM. He was born George Carie on January 25, 1935 in Vincennes, IN to Urban and Helen (Bono) Carie.
Fr. Giles entered the Conventual Franciscan Order in 1952 at Angola, IN, making his solemn profession of vows in 1956. He studied for the priesthood at the Collegio Serafico St. Bonaventure in Rome, Italy, receiving two degrees in Sacred Theology, and was ordained there on March 18, 1961. He returned to the U.S. and began serving in pastoral ministry, moving in 1964 to the southwestern U.S. where he was to spend most of the rest of his life. In addition to his work in parishes, Fr. Giles served as a canon lawyer in the Dioceses of El Paso (TX) and Las Cruces (NM), and for the Archdiocese of Santa Fe (NM). He served in parishes in New Mexico (Artesia, Lovington, Hobbs, Doņa Ana, Carlsbad, Las Cruces, and Tortugas) and in El Paso. He also served at the Holy Cross Retreat Center in Mesilla Park, NM, where he was living before his final illness.
He was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his brother Noel, of Memphis, TN.
Visitation will be at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Tortugas, NM, Sunday, April 22 2-8:30 pm. The address is 3600 Parroquia Street, Las Cruces, NM. Rosary at 4:30pm and a vigil service at 7 pm Sunday, with time to share memories of Fr. Giles. The funeral is Monday, April 23, 10 am, with burial in the Tortugas Cemetery. A luncheon will be served in the parish hall.
Donations may be made to the Holy Cross Chapel Fund, Holy Cross Retreat Center, 600 Holy Cross Rd. Mesilla Park, NM 88047, or to the Province of Our Lady of Consolation, 101 St. Anthony Drive, Mount St. Francis, IN 47146. To make a donation online, or for more information about Fr. Giles life and work, please visit www.franciscansusa.org
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The Priests from the Las Cruces Diocese met once again at the Retreat Center for their annual Assembly. About 40 men gathered with Bishop Ramiriez to learn about good principles for management and integrating ministry with caring for volunteers and sound business practices. Three people from Villanova University led the workshop. It was followed by the business meeting for the diocese. |
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We welcome the women from St. Pius Parish in El Paso for their ACTS retreat at Holy Cross Retreat Center. In this picture you can see them gathering in the small Chapel for the team mass. |
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Holy Cross Catholic Retreat and Conference Center, located in Mesilla Park New Mexico. is a non-profit, religious, ecumenical retreat/conference center operated by Conventual Franciscan Friars.
We invite you to visit us for a private or group retreat in our serene environment.
Holy Cross Retreat welcomed 46 couples for an Engaged Encounter March 3 and 4th. There will be eight EE groups coming during 2012, continuing forty years of preparation for the Sacrament of Marriage. |
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The Secular Franciscans from El Paso and Las Cruces gathered at Holy Cross to celebrate Epiphany on Sunday, Jan. 8, 2012. About 85 people enjoyed a bountiful meal prepared by those who came, sharing of Franciscan patron saints and Scripture passages, door prizes, an Epiphany blessing for the home, and music.
The fellowship uplifted the spirits of all who were able to attend. Next year it will be in El Paso. |
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The OFM friars from six provinces in the U.S. shared in their annual retreat from Jan. 9-13th. Since the beginning of the retreat ministry the friars have come for a time of prayer and fraternity.
Sr. Ramona Miller from the Rochester, MN Franciscans led the retreat using the writings and spirituality of St. Clare of Assisi. With 58 friars present, it was one of the largest groups in the past few years. They will return next year to continue their annual retreat.
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The men on the ACTS retreat from St. Stephen in El Paso prayed the rosary together in the early morning each day.
This is a new experience for some, and a quite special moment for others.
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A women's retreat group from St. Stephen's Church in El Paso shared in an ACTS retreat Nov. 10-13, 2011.
Here they are enjoying one of the meals prepared by the Holy Cross cooking staff.
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Confirmation retreat! The youth from La Purissima Parish in Socorro, TX came to Holy Cross Apr. 30-May 1 for their annual Confirmation retreat.
The catechist and Deacon William guided them through a wonderful experience of faith renewal, prayer, and enjoyment. Here you can see them building a pyramid as part of the community building and trust.
The parents and families of the youth came for the closing mass outside near the gazebo to share in the special event. They hope to return each year! |
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Fr. Tom Smith using a pottery wheel during a Parish retreat at St. Francis Newman Center in Silver City. The theme was "From Clay to Community" and he was able to use the images of working with clay to inspire spiritual growth as individuals, family, and as a church.
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One of 45 couples who participated in the Engaged Encounter on March 5 and 6, 2011. This couple is sitting in the atrium while discussing some of what they had written for each other.
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The ACTS retreats are very strong in the El Paso and Las Cruces area. Holy Cross Retreat Center hosts about eleven of the renewal weekends each year, for both men and women, and in English and Spanish.
Fr. Tom is working with them directly to get to know them better and to maintain good relations. Here is a picture of a group on Oct. 28-31, 2010 from San Patricio Cathedral Parish and Queen of Peace Church in El Paso.
They had 51 candidates, with team, music ministry, and priests totaling 91 people. Holy Cross was filled with the power of their prayer, music, and joy! Here, Fr. Trini Fuentes from Queen of Peace Parish spoke about the sacraments with the candidates, in our atrium. |
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Both the local English and Spanish speaking groups of Secular Franciscans, several Franciscans sisters, and other guests joined with the friars for a pleasant celebration of the "Transitus" on October 3rd.
We began outside, walked and sang with a candlelight procession to the Chapel, then continued with a bilingual reading of various Franciscan and Scriptural accounts. |
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Fr. Don Adamski OFM Conv. was the presider and preacher. The ceremony concluded with a blessing with a relic of St. Francis of Assisi and a reception for about 35 people. It is good to celebrate our heritage and invite others to join together.
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