Mission
Eternal Flame of Hope Ministries seeks to bring people closer to God through nature, spirituality and art. The centerpiece of this vision is a wonderful retreat property called “Heaven’s Embrace” in the lower Catskill Mountains of New York State. Amidst towering oaks and cascading waterfalls, nature opens one to beauty, mystery, and awe -- a prerequisite for the love of God.
People of all ages, ethnicities and races are welcome. Our setting is especially conducive for young people to develop a sense of yestery and reverence, allowing them the opportunity to express their experience in art. The fine arts as well as music and poetry, allow them to remember, reinforce and represent their experiences to others.
This setting and its creativity lead to an implicit spirituality. We articulate this in the Roman Catholic Tradition through communal prayer and the celebration of Mass. All people of good will are welcomed to join us as we recapture, in word and image, the whisper of the Spirit in nature given to us by God.
Spiritual Mission
On May 30th 2018, Eternal Flame of Hope Ministries was changed forever when it was given to me, Fr. Richard Bretone, our "interior mission". for nearly the last 20 years I have wondered if our "exterior mission" of bringing people closer to God through art, nature and Eucharistic spirituality would mature into a specific community ministering to a definite group of people. For about 20 years, I have worked tirelessly on a retreat property in the lower Catskill Mountains near Barryville, New York. There, our volunteers and I have created an amazing setting called Heaven's Embrace for prayer and reflection with a beautiful chapel, magnificent waterfalls, shrines, trails and the potential for much more. However, I always wondered if there was ever to be a specific community formed for a unique and special mission.
On this day I was given this:
"Eternal Flame of Hope Ministries is a community of loving service under the watchful gaze of Jesus, Mary and Joseph...If there is no service, there is no love!"
Why Jesus, Mary and Joseph?
"Jesus is our redeemer and reconciler and our sustance in the Eucharist. Mary is our intercessor to Jesus, and Motherly companion during difficult times. Joseph is our helper in all the manual labor and skilled craftsmanship needed at Heaven's Embrace, and iin all of the items we craft from the depth of our spiritual love. Also, Joseph is there at the moment of transition from this world of tears and time to the joy of all eternity. He is our guid and mentor of a peaceful journey to our ultimate destiny.
Who do we minister to?
"Ministering especially to the poor in spirit (Mt 5:3) for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven."
Who are the "poor in spirit"?
"Substitute the word 'hope' for 'spirit'...Blessed are the poor in hope, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven('s Embrace)".
And now begins the "Interior Mission" of Eternal Flame of Hope Ministries. I pray that you will join us in our efforts to help those "poor in hope"!