by Frank Flegel

Washing each other's feet was a highlight of the annual Regina Archdiocesan Staff Retreat held October 8, at St. Michael's Retreat House. David Sax, Executive Director of Catholic Family Services, facilitated the retreat, focusing staff on a painting by German Artist Sieger Koder which shows Christ washing Peter's feet. Sax titled the retreat "Sacred Work in a Secular Career," and used the painting as a metaphor. Sax delivered three talks, The Sacred/Secular, Ministry and Foot Washing and Self Care and Foot washing prior to each presentation. He asked retreatants to focus on the image in the painting. "What do you see and what emotion do you experience," he asked. Humility, embarrassment and service were some of the responses including Peter's hands which seemed to display acceptance and affection while at the same time showing some resistance to Christ washing his feet.

The secular and the sacred would be accepted by most as quite different. Yet, according to Sax, they can and do exist together. The actual washing of the feet took place at the end of the day as staff sang Will you Let Me be Your Servant.