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Pope Francis' encyclical on the environment, "Laudato Si'," has inspired countless conversations about the environment around the world and in the Albany Diocese. On Aug. 21-26, an annual nature retreat at Pyramid Life Center (PLC) in Paradox will focus on the same subject.

The retreat, which has been held for about the past 35 years, is "the highlight of our whole year," said Dr. Harry Owens. Sister Monica Murphy, CSJ, director of PLC, calls it the "founding retreat" for the center.

An Oregon-based physician who practices family medicine and participates in healthcare efforts in underprivileged areas around the world, Dr. Owens said participants eagerly await the week-long retreat on nature and prayer.

Dr. Owens first attended the retreat 13 years ago. Now, he gives a presentation every year on spirit, mind, body and balance.

Claudia Gregoire, one of the nature retreat's directors, has been involved for 11 years. She's an amateur photographer who has an eye for capturing the environment. In nature, she noted, "your subjects don't talk back."

Ms. Gregoire presents a slideshow of her photos set to music at the retreat every year. She says she enjoys "being with and honoring God's creation.

"A lot of times these days we don't get to slow down and be with nature," she told The Evangelist. "My talk is on how we fit into this and how important every single person is in the plan of creation."

Dr. Owens will give a talk this year on the work he does in Third World countries, also drawing an "analogy [between] the beauty of nature and the beauty and love of God."

The doctor has worked in the Amazon jungle, Africa, South Sudan and, most recently, the Philippines. He was on the U.S. Navy hospital ship Mercy for nine weeks as part of Project HOPE ("Health Opportunities for People Everywhere").

The goal of the nature retreat, according to PLC's website, is help participants explore "how God speaks to us in sound, sight, touch, smell and taste." The site notes people will have time to explore the natural beauty of Pyramid Lake by hiking or canoeing.

Rev. Thomas Zelker, pastor at Immaculate Conception in Hoosick Falls, is looking forward to that. The priest, who has a background in forestry, will preside at some of the Masses during the retreat.

He's taking over the role of Rev. Richard Broderick, who was involved in the retreat until his death in December 2015. Father Zelker is an avid outdoorsman and hopes "just to share a little glimpse of this beautiful creation" at the retreat.

Regarding "Laudato Si'," the priest said the sharp increase it's created in the environment is something "we should have done from the very beginning."

Ms. Gregoire agreed, noting that the papal encyclical will be a big part of her presentation at this year's retreat: "not only our care for creation, but our obligation to care for one another."

(For more information, call Pyramid Life Center at 518-585-7545.)[[In-content Ad]]

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