Following the call of the General Curia, a group of 15 CPPS Brothers from the US, Poland, and Italy gathered in presence and five online at Lakeside, Michigan for a week-long retreat. The goal of this gathering was for Brothers to get to know each other better and also to reflect on the brotherhood vocation offered by Br. Mike McAward, Marianist. 

The retreat was organized in such a way that there were morning sessions and evening sessions. On the first day, Br. Mike talked to the CPPS Brothers about the Vocation of the Religious Brothers, its qualities, the differences between a brother and a priest, the fraternity and how a brother bears witness of it in the world, how being a brother becomes a gift that can be given away. In the afternoon, the topics presented revolved around the religious dimension of the Brothers vocation, focusing on personal spiritual life, how a fraternity may be a prophetic experience in order to witness that holiness is something all faithful people may aspire to. 

The second day was devoted to a more specific approach: The religious vocation addressed on the first day was put into the context of a mixed Congregation such as the CPPS. Some of the topics for reflection and discussion were: challenges of mixed congregations of brothers and priests; understanding that the CPPS charism is articulated in a variety of vocations; and that these vocations require a great deal of nurturing in order to remain faithful. These vocations are lived out in community and in community brothers share the gift they have received. 

Finally, the Brothers reflected on Synodality and its connection to authority models in the Church and in the CPPS community; special emphasis was given to the laity and the gift brothers might give away to the world and the Church. 

After the days of reflection and sharing, brothers were able to experience fraternity visiting some CPPS ministry sites in the area of Chicago and touring the city.