7303 N 112th St, Waverly, NE, USA
May 15 - 17, 2026
About this Retreat
Deacon Matthew Hecker spent more than 30 years in education, from a parish youth director, a high-school teacher and coach, to later earning degrees in counseling and educational administration and serving at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln as dean of students. He was the first permanent deacon ordained for the Diocese of Lincoln in 2021.
Dr. Hecker and his wife Dani are members of St. Joseph Parish in Lincoln. They have three children and two grandchildren. He is Catholic chaplain for the Lincoln/Lancaster County Chaplaincy Corps, and has worked in Diocese of Lincoln Family Life & Discipleship Office and Office of Communications, as Superintendent of Schools and director of the Permanent Diaconate Program.
Details of this retreat
Wild at Heart
May 15-17, 2026
with Deacon Matthew Hecker
Discovering the secret of a man’s soul (ages 21-39)
The retreat will begin on Friday with an 8pm Rosary and Mass. The retreat will conclude Sunday with Mass and noon lunch.
View or Download: Standard Weekend Schedule
Deep in the heart of every man lies a longing for adventure, a battle to fight, and a beauty to rescue. Yet many men find themselves feeling restless, uncertain, or disconnected. This retreat offers young men a powerful opportunity to rediscover who God created them to be.
Deacon Matthew Hecker invites men ages 21-39 to embark on a journey drawing from Scripture, the lives of the saints, and the Church's rich understanding of manhood. This retreat explores the fundamental questions that stir in every man's soul: What does it mean to be a man? What is my purpose? How do I live with courage, strength, and integrity in a world that often seems to have lost its way?
This retreat addresses the real struggles men face—the pressure to perform, the fear of failure, the hunger for validation, the challenge of authentic relationships, and the call to sacrificial love in a culture that promotes self-interest and self-pleasure.
Deacon Hecker will guide participants in understanding how Christ embodies the fullness of masculinity. Explore what it means to live as spiritual warriors, to lead with virtue, to protect and provide for those entrusted to our care, and to embrace the adventure God has written into your unique story.
Whether you're discerning your vocation, navigating relationships, building your career, or simply seeking to grow deeper in your faith, this retreat provides a space for honest conversation, spiritual renewal, and practical guidance. The restlessness in your heart is not something to be suppressed or ignored—it's an invitation from God to live fully alive as the man He created you to be. Your heart was made to be wild, fierce, and free in His service.
Join us and answer the call to authentic manhood.
Our Lady of Good Counsel Retreat House offers a sanctuary of prayer and recollection on a spacious acreage near Waverly. There are 50 single rooms, each with a private bath.
We want our retreats to be accessible to everyone, please consider an additional donation, or contact the Retreat House to inquire about financial assistance or if your parish pays part of the cost. If the retreat you’re interested in is full, contact us to be put on a waiting list. A few double rooms are available upon request. Airport transportation to/from LNK or OMA is also available upon request.
(Due to the in-person nature of the discussion, there is no online option.)
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