The summer may just be starting, but those lay parish leaders who like to plan ahead might want to mark their fall calendars with a retreat day: Wednesday, Sept. 30, 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m., at St. Stephen Diocesan Center.

Directing the retreat for lay ecclesial ministers will be Jesuit Father John Chandler of the Newman Center and Maxine Pollock of Scrub Bucket Gospel Ministries. The registration fee will be about $25 and will cover lunch.

Invited are those who serve island parishes in the areas of administration, business, religious education, liturgy, RCIA, music, social ministry, youth and young adult ministry and anything else.

Sponsoring the retreat are four diocesan offices: Social Ministry, Worship, Religious Education and Parish Resources

In a letter to parishes promoting the event, Sharon Chiarucci, director of the Office for Parish Resources, told lay ministers that “Your spiritual well-being is critical to your ministry and to the spiritual well-being of those with whom you minister.”

She compared the day to Jesus’ invitation to his hard-working disciples to “come away to some lonely place and rest for a while.”

No money is available for neighbor island travel, but Father Chandler and Pollock could do a future island hop if there is enough interest. Rides to and from the airport are available for neighbor islanders attending this retreat.

Questions? Contact Chiarucci, (808) 203-6733, toll-free 1-877-263-8855, ext. 733, or schiarucci@rcchawaii.org.