About the Event

The Regina Academy at St. John the Baptist is honored to present a grace-filled Advent retreat inspired by
the life and hopeful faith of Maria Middleton, a beloved former student whose journey of faith began within
our school community and whose unwavering trust in God continues to inspire hearts.

Maria’s final words, “Think Hope,” now serve as the heart of a movement and a reminder that our hope is
anchored in Christ. During this sacred season of Advent, the retreat offers an opportunity to step away from the
noise of the season, prepare your heart for the coming of our Savior, and be inspired by the powerful witness of a
young woman who lived with unwavering faith and trust in God.

Set against the peaceful backdrop of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa, the day will include Mass, a
Rosary procession to Maria’s gravesite, and talks from Kathleen McCarthy, who served as Maria’s spiritual director
during her illness, as well as her parents, Brian and Susan Middleton.

Kathleen is a Catholic author, radio broadcaster, and seasoned lay evangelist. For more than 40 years, she has
shared messages of the Father’s merciful love, the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist, and the power of the
Holy Spirit—touching countless lives through her ministry and gift for storytelling