Day Retreat "Who Is My Neighbor"

The parable is clear and straightforward, yet it also evokes the interior struggle that each of us experiences as we gradually come to know ourselves through the people who cross our path.  The decision to take care of or not take care of those lying wounded along the roadside can serve as a criterion for judging every economic, political, social, and religious situation we meet…Each day we have to decide whether to be Good Samaritans or indifferent bystanders.

About the Presenter:
Fr. Doug Doussan is a retired priest of the Archdiocese of New Orleans and is serving as Chaplain of the Archdiocesan Retreat Center.  He was formerly the pastor of St. Gabriel the Archangel Parish in New Orleans and St. Joseph the Worker in Marrero. He served as Archdiocesan Priest Personnel Director and Priest Continuing Formation Director.  He received a Masters' Degree in Liturgy from Notre Dame University and special training in Conflict Resolution from Conrad Grebel College in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.  He also served as Chair of the Pax Christi USA Council and was co-founder of the Pax Christi New Orleans Council.  He has given countless training workshops locally and nationally in inclusive parish organization, lay leadership formation, and consensus decision making.

Matt Rousso was born in Morgan City, La 1940, attended Sacred Heart Academy (Morgan City), St. Joseph Seminary (Covington), Notre Dame Seminary (New Orleans). For 24 years he engaged in pastoral ministry in parishes of the Archdiocese of New Orleans.   After several extended stays doing pastoral work in Ecuador (1981-1986), and a full year there as a missionary (1987) Matt became associated with the Maryknoll Missionaries. Since 1991 he has been engaged in Mission Education and Promotion with the Maryknoll Missionaries, directing the Maryknoll Mission Education and Promotion Office in New Orleans. Along with a rather extensive lecturing and conducting mission spirituality programs in and around New Orleans and Louisiana, he coordinates and facilitates Short Term Mission Immersion programs in Central America., especially in his work with senior seminarians of St. Joseph Seminary College, Covington Louisiana. . . Actions on behalf of justice and promoting solidarity with the poor of developing countries has always been a key aspect of his ministry.   During the past four years of Pope Francis’ papacy, Matt has felt a special calling to enable others to hear and reflect on his writings, especially  “Evangelii Gaudium: Joy of the Gospel” and “Laudato Sí: On Care for Our Common Home.”  Matt has lectured extensively on these documents and given retreats/workshops to Religious and Parish Groups, etc. in the Archdiocese and surrounding dioceses, as well as in Texas and Florida.

Registration Information:
To register for this retreat, you may do so by filling out the form below or calling our retreat office at 504-267-9604.  Due to COVID-19 our capacity is limited and first priority will go to those who registered in advance. 

This day retreat includes light refreshments and lunch as well as Mass and time for personal reflection and prayer. Registration opens at 8:30 a.m.

The cost of this retreat is $35. REGISTER