Viewers delighted by TV retreat

Here is a sampling of reaction from around the Albany Diocese:

* Debbie Hart, from St. James Church, Chatham: "I enjoyed the broadcast, and I'm eager to hear the next two segments. I thought it was very well written, and then I noticed in the credits that Bishop Hubbard had written it himself! The idea of prayer as a constant and a way of building a relationship with Jesus: Our discussion group had a go-round with that one, because the kids always say why do they have to go to church, why are they encouraged to pray -- but eventually, they understand. Also, the boy who was a high-school student, who saw Jesus in every face -- that was very striking."

* Margaret Eberle, a parishioner of Annunciation Church in Ilion: "I thought it was wonderful. The Bishop seemed so personal. It was like he was sitting right across the room from you. I enjoyed his sharing from his own life. Some of the things he said are things we heard said before, but we need to hear it again. It was important for our Bishop to say. I was very touched by the retreat."

* Yvonne Calicchia, also from Annunciation parish in Ilion: "I thought it was very nice. It brought back memories from my life when he talked about things from his own life. It was nostalgic. I also enjoyed what he said about people's response to prayer and how different people pray. Some of us do our praying like we're talking to God. At times, I felt guilty because I couldn't say the regular prayers. I feel more comfortable about it now. I've always enjoyed Bishop Hubbard's talks. It seems like he's talking right to you. We don't have the opportunity to hear him often. Through this retreat, he's reaching so many."

* Jeanne McDonald, from St. Vincent de Paul Church, Albany: "I liked it very much. The Bishop spoke from a human perspective; it didn't sound as if it was a homily. Speaking from his own personal early Church experiences was something we could all relate to. I liked how he used the vignettes. It was very human, very down-to-earth. It touched my heart. It was captivating."

* Peter Hilton, a member of St. Paul's Church in Troy: "It was very good and meaningful to me. I appreciate that the Bishop was a fellow parishioner some years ago and was baptized here. The thing that stuck in my mind most was the discussion of prayer and the different ways to pray. Many of the old-time, formalized prayers are good, but you can still pray by talking. You can pray whatever way you want, as long as it brings you in contact with God. Eucharist is the main theme, but prayer is part of it. You can't survive just by prayer without the Eucharist."

* Beverly McBride, from Assumption/St. Paul Church in Mechanicville: "I thought it was excellent, and the Bishop did a fabulous job talking about how his own spiritual life has grown. Our family talked about what it means to be a disciple and the many different ways to pray. My husband and I got into a discussion about the fact that in order to be a disciple, you have to be baptized. The Bishop said his call didn't start when he became a bishop or priest; it was when he was baptized. We're all disciples when we're baptized, but eventually we have to claim we believe in this faith."

(Contributing to this article were Kate Blain, assistant editor; Paul Quirini, staff writer; and Maureen McGuinness.)

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