On the weekend of March 28 – 30, about thirty women gathered at Saint Andrew’s Camp 

and Retreat Center for a spiritually enriching Lenten Women’s Retreat, featuring guest 

speaker Mother Melania, Abbess of Holy Assumption Monastery in Calistoga, CA and 

author of many books. Over the course of the weekend, Mother Melania shared her wisdom 

and insights with attendees. 

On Friday evening, attendees were treated to a talk titled "The Beatitudes and the Pursuit of 

Happiness," offering fresh perspectives on finding joy and purpose through Christ's 

teachings. Saturday's main sessions, "Be Who You Are in the Body of Christ," encouraged 

participants to understand and accept with humility who God created us to be and how the 

parts of Christ’s Body must serve, cooperate with, and depend on the other parts. Mother 

Melania’s words resonated deeply, fostering both personal introspection and growth for 

those in attendance.

The Lenten Women’s Retreat was not only spiritually edifying and uplifting, but was also a 

wonderful time of fellowship and renewal. Participants relished the opportunity to connect 

with one another, many forming new or strengthening existing friendships. Overall, it was a 

truly edifying experience that left those in attendance refreshed and uplifted