Marygrove Retreat Center and bookstore

At this retreat center of the Catholic Diocese of Marquette, everyone is welcome, though many group retreats are for the diocese's Catholic parishes. Since its beginning, Catholicism has had a robust tradition of spiritual retreats and prayer—stepping away from the busyness of life. After Jesus's 12 disciples came back from their first mission work, Jesus famously counseled, "Come with me into a desert place. . . and rest awhile." Desert retreats had already been a Jewish practice.
People of all faiths are welcomed at Marygrove for midweek private directed retreats directed by Father Jamie Zelinski. These retreats (3, 6, or 8 days long) are mainly silent, planned according to the retreatant's needs with the director's consultation. No food is provided, but retreatants can use the kitchen. A $15 daily donation is suggested.

A complete schedule of all group retreats is at http//Xwww.marygrove.org. Those related to alcohol, grieving, prayer, and family life are especially relevant to outsiders. Some retreats are about the Cursillo Christian renewal, "to provide a Christian leaven in civic, social, and economic life," has spread from its Catholic beginnings and been used by Presbyterian and Episcopalian church organizations.

Marygrove is visibly very Catholic. Catholic imagery abounds at the retreat center and its grounds. A shrine to its patroness, the Blessed Virgin Mary, is tucked in a grove of pines and cedars; farther in among the trees are the Stations of the Cross. A nondenominational labyrinth i for "walking meditation" in the garden. The web site describes the idea behind labyrinths.

The wide-ranging bookstore is open Monday through Friday from 10 to 5. It's no surprise to find Bible, crucifixes, rosaries, and advice books for family life like God Knows Parenting Is a Wild Ride. Father Jamie, whe recently replaced longtime director Father Tim DesDurochers, has added some new titles and sections: more children's books, more on families and parenting, books on eucharistic theology and Franciscan spirituality (inspired by the ever-popular St. Francis of Assisi), and titles like A 14-Day Retreat with Martin Luther.Here are books by the late Henri Nouwen, and Radical Grace and other books by well-known spiritual author Father Richard Rohr, a regular contributor to liberal Protestant evangelical Jim Wallis's Sojourners magazine.

On M-183 at the north edge of the village of Garden. (906) 644-2771. Office and bookstore open weekdays from 10 to 5. Handicap access: call.

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