American Martyrs to hold 10th DREAM Weekend

CEDAR FALLS — On July 28 and 29 American Martyrs Retreat House will celebrate the 10th anniversary of the DREAM Weekend. New Year’s Eve of 2007, Dan Rigel attended the New Year’s Eve Retreat at AMRH and fell in love with the place. He realized the facility needed some repairs and updates, so he met with Sr. Jeanine Kuhn (AMRH director at the time), to discuss the “dream” he had. The dream was about getting volunteers and donors together to have a weekend where repairs would be made and the retreat house “spruced up.” Rigel and Sr. Jeanine prayed about it, and when a large donation arrived to help with expenses, they decided to proceed.

The DREAM is not all about work, it’s also about fun, fellowship and prayer. Prayer starts and ends each day with a lot of fun and fellowship before, during and after. Many friendships have been forged at this weekend and also several vocations. Two men who are DREAMers entered diaconate formation and have been ordained permanent deacons. Two women DREAMers, who are also sisters (siblings), have entered a religious community and will become sisters.

The DREAMers, those who donate time, talent and treasure, are responsible for helping to keep AMRH alive and well. The schedule for the DREAM this year is 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. During this time inside and outside projects will be worked on. On Friday evening at 5:30 p.m. a social will be held with a catered dinner at 6 p.m. After dinner we will move to the chapel for prayer and then a program on the last 10 years of the DREAM. DREAMers need to RSVP for the celebration by Friday July 21, or for questions contact us at dbqamrhsec@dbqarch.org or 319-266-3543.

Volunteers build furniture for the facilities at American Martyrs Retreat House at a recent DREAM Weekend. Help is needed for this year’s event. (Contributed photo)