Rock Island|Local Event
Archbishop Fulton J Sheen Program
Event Details
Benet House Retreat Center at St. Mary Monastery in the Illinois Quad Cities will offer a special event, What it Means to Serve: Inspiration from the Life of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, Wednesday, November 4, 2026, 6:00PM to 8:00PM.
We invite you to join us as we explore a life of service in the footsteps of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen. In this special program, reflecting on the life, works and thought of Archbishop Sheen, we have the opportunity to be led to a deeper relationship with the Divine. Renewing and strengthening this relationship provides us with inspiration and wisdom to serve all within our daily life.
The Program will explore video content and excerpts from Venerable Sheen's book "Life is Worth Living" as a means to inspire us in a life of love and service. On this subject Sheen offers, "You may not like somebody, but you can still love them...because loving is good for the soul." Archbishop Sheen also guides us to introspect using the story of the Good Samaritan. He suggests instead of asking, is this a worthy object of charity? Ask, are we a worthy subject of charity, do we bring compassion to our actions of service. During the program there will be time for group discussion. Tea and conversation will follow the event.
Fulton John Sheen was born May 8, 1895, in El Paso, Illinois. Archbishop Sheen, best known for his popular syndicated television program, Life is Worth Living, is held today as one of Catholicism’s most widely recognized figures of the twentieth century. His life of service is an inspiring example to all. Archbishop Sheen became the first-ever American-born bishop to be beatified by the Catholic Church. Venerable Fulton J. Sheen's beatification was celebrated September 15-26, 2026, in Peoria IL and St. Louis MO.
Date and time: Wednesday November 4, 2026, 6-8:00 pm
Location: Benet House Retreat Center, 2200 88th Ave W., Rock Island, IL 61201
Cost: Free will offering
Following this initial event, in March 2027 Benet House Retreat Center will offer a 5-Week Series, The Joy of Service: Inspiration from the Life of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen. Each week will delve into an area of service in the Life of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen: Learning, Praying, Teaching, Suffering & Giving. Through exploring the life, virtues, and apostolic works of Archbishop Sheen we rouse our good heart and desire to serve. We will find his messages continue to have great relevance today. Reflecting and discussing together we energize our spiritual work. Take home a reinvigorated heart of service infusing each moment of your normal schedule with deep purpose and meaning resulting in a life filled with joy and love.
We will use 2 books for the 2027 series, Life is Worth Living, and Treasure in Clay. The series will be in-person only. Registration for the 5-week series is limited to 25 people and is now open.