Dedicated to the Positive Recognition of the Worth of Each Person

HEC is a weekend experience that enables those with physical disabilities to make a spiritual retreat with support and assistance from the larger Villanova community.

PHILADELPHIA HEC LENTEN RETREAT DAY

When: Saturday February 23, 2008 From 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Where: Founder’s Hall, Inglis House, 2600 Belmont Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19131 Phone: 215-878-5600

We invite HECers and their guests to participate in an afternoon of prayer and reflection hosted by Inglis House residents. At this time we are not planning to hold full 3-day weekend retreats in 2008 so we encourage you to attend alternative events such as this one in order to retain friendships and shared spiritual experiences.

Since it will be in the middle of Lent, we will not be serving refreshments. The program will begin promptly at 1:00 with talks and discussions. Please support this new effort.

Transportation will not be provided. If you have any questions, please call Margie at 610-527-4791 or margie.kernicky@villanova.edu. Thanks and hope to see you there.

What is HEC?

HEC is a retreat experience founded to offer people who have physical disabilities an opportunity to come together in community to pray, reflect and celebrate their life with God.

HEC strives to offer an inviting atmosphere where all people can experience a sense of value, wholeness, and worth; a place where people feel loved and accepted for who they are.

In a spirit of faith and love, HEC provides opportunities to enjoy community experiences that are not readily available to people with physical disabilities. Through this community, all people are empowered to develop a strong connection to God, to each other, and to themselves.

HEC creates a space where able-bodied and dis-abled people alike, can join with people of other faith traditions, races, and walks of life to share life’s journey within a supportive and loving community.

HEC is a justice movement! Human rights and the potentials of each and every person are honored through the marriage of common sense, raised consciousness and Gospel inspired compassion.

At HEC, we're convinced that we each have the ability to make the world a better place, no matter what challenges we might face in life. HEC offers the community ways to make that happen. We all have disabilities - some have physical limitations while others have less apparent spiritual or emotional challenges. By nurturing spiritual growth through retreats, fellowship, life/faith-sharing opportunities, prayer, and liturgy, all participants are empowered by the Spirit to learn a way of living in which God’s love is made visible in the world.

HEC provides opportunities to:

• smile, laugh and celebrate
• encounter God actively in each other and in each of our lives
• deepen spiritually through community, retreat, and fellowship
• grow in self confidence to face the challenges of everyday life

HEC seeks to create an environment where:

• all people experience a sense of wholeness and worth
• people realize their gifts and share them more fully
• openness, practical compassion, and service are valued

Contact Persons

Fr. Shawn Tracy, OSA
St. Augustine Friary
Villanova, PA 19085
email: shawn.tracy@villanova.edu
phone: 610-527-3330, x262

Margie Kernicky
2 Barley Cone Lane
Rosemont, PA 19010
email: margie.kernicky@villanova.edu