37 years ago I drove across the causeway to enter a life I thought I was called to. While it turned out not be a call, the time on Enders island helped me discern what I might do with my life. It also launched a faith journey that continues today. Joe Waite's classes on John's Gospels got my head spinning and truly began the quest to explore and understand my faith.

37 years later, I probably know less than I thought I knew then.

In a book by Dr. Tim Johnson he talks about faith. He makes a rather profound statement that speaks directly to my faith. He says that he not a Christian, but he is a follower of Christ. To explain - his faith is rooted in the Sermon on the Mount. He measures his actions and life and faith, by how well and how closely he lives his life according to the Sermon on the Mount - not by the name of the team to which he belongs.

While I still consider myself a Catholic, I have come to appreciate what John says (sic) there are others (followers) who are not of this flock. And, I have dedicated the rest of my life to try to be a follower of Christ and to explore and understand how these other flocks live their lives according to the Sermon on the Mount.

I will always be thankful to Joe and his teachings, and for the time I spent on Enders with Tom, Jim, Dave, Stank, and the other characters who made up the Edmundite community 37 years ago and who - forever - shaped my life.

Enders Island is a special place.

I just retruned from a weekend retreat with twenty men. Father Tom led us in a number of discussions on prayer and meditation and our ability to turn our life over to the care of a loving God. I have been on a number of retreats before at "The Island" and each is a progressive journey into a deeper relationship with God.

Certainly, time alone in the chapel, walks along the beautiful sea wall and times of private meditation are extremely conduscive to this renewal process. But it is also the ability to share this experience with a group of men who face similar struggles and challenges in life and who are also on a spiritual journey which enhances this very rewarding experience. The caring Enders staff and the excellent cuisine is an added bonus in this wonderful place. Thanks for a very special visit.

There is a sense of peace that comes over me when I visit the island. It is a difficult sensation to describe, but it seems to be a place where God's love is made manifest in the physical beauty of the place. It almost feels like you are leaving one world and entering another when you cross the causeway. I look forward to attending an eleventh step retreat as soon as I am able.

I was recently blessed with the opportunity to visit the island. WOW! What a feeling you get just walking through the gardens. It's hard to put into words-- serene, peaceful, just an all-over feeling that you are surrounded by something quite special.

I think the Stations of the Cross (you have to see them) were so moving. I found myself able to meditate as I never have before, with only the sounds of the ocean in the background. As I said, it's hard to describe with words alone, but once you step out onto the island, you understand.

I'm looking forward to coming again -- real soon!

We need "islands" from time to time! We are made for communion, it is true. We are made for relationship, for love. But we need silence and beauty and solitude, I think, to be able to find, to recover and to protect that center, that sanctuary in us where communion can occur. The noise and the busyness is so pervasive, "out there" in the world. A human person can forget who he or she is.

We need prayer. Thank you at Enders for keeping a place for prayer!

I'm pretty new to Enders Island, but the few times I have been able to get out the island I found it to be most enjoyable. The folks there are friendly and atmosphere is very relaxing.

I have been fortunate to participate in a number of spirital retreats at the Island and was given a feeling of "home" from the very first time I stepped foot here. As a place which invites peaceful reflection, spiritual renewal and captivating beauty I have felt the warmth of my childhood home here. The chapel is stunning and a place to sit quietly and feel God's presence. The gardens and walks leading to the sea offer one a spectacular view of God's creation and beauty.
I have been joined by many other men of all faiths who find Enders a welcoming and restful place to renew their relationship with the God of their understanding. Enders will always be a place I call "home."