Corazón a Corazón–Retreats For Mothers and Daughters at Presentation High School

About five years ago three of us who have been in ministry with the Latino community began reflecting on the clear need for mothers and daughters, particularly teen daughters, to have quality time together.

In our reading of “the signs of the times” we have experienced the lack of opportunity for Latina mothers to grow and to deepen their relationship with their daughters. Of course, the fact that so few families have so little quality time together is not confined to the Latino culture.  

As three Latinas, two lay women and one Sister, we began to reflect on this growing need, highlighted by the fact that our Latino families live under deepening pressures as immigrants, in many cases they are Farmworkers or laborers or as moms working in the home. We understand that the mission and ministry for most religious communities is being challenged to transform from running institutions to creating new “spaces” in our marginated, poor and indigenous communities and in Latino communities.

Therefore, Lupita Vital, a Presentation Associate and Pastoral Minister in the Hispanic Community, California; Petra Robles, Administrator and Pastoral Minister in the Diocese of Monterey and Sister Gloria I. Loya, PBVM (photo), began to create Mother/Daughter Retreats. The theme of Corazón a Corazón, Heart to Heart, has been a beautiful and powerful theme for the seven retreats we’ve had during the last five years.

 This February, for an English and Spanish language retreat we asked ourselves what theme would unite both English and Spanish language groups in our reflections? Remembering the beautiful document written by Pope Francis on the Sacred Heart of Jesus, we knew this living symbol would speak to any Catholic as well as to our Latinas. Of course, we clearly felt the profound presence of the Sacred Heart as it was central to the spirituality of Nano Nagle. The time for quality input and for quiet mother/daughter dialogue was complemented and completed at the end of the day with the celebration of the Eucharist by the high school’s Chaplain, Father Victor Trinidad. No less important was the prayerful support of our Sisters living in the Península del Rey and Alma Villa residences.

We are so grateful that this bilingual retreat was supported by the leadership, faculty and staff of Presentation High School, San José. We couldn’t have had such a sacred day without their support and participation.