2010

"The Gift of Years:" Book Discussion Group
Do you look on aging as more of a burden than a blessing? Vital living embraces both — with emphasis on blessing! Coe join us to reflect together on themes from the latest book by Joan Chittister, OSB. Through honest discussion, we’ll hope to uncover life’s truest meaning and deepen our cherished life in God, learning more together about growing older gracefully. For those 60 and over.

Presenters: Gaynell Cronin; Beth McCormick, OP Learn more . . .

The Shattered Heart: Surviving a Broken Relationship
Whether you’re in the midst of a separation, have lost a close friendship, or are trying to survive a divorce or the dissolution of an intimate relationship, the journey to healing is rarely an easy one. Sometimes, we unnecessarily prolong our process through false starts, avoidance practices, or immersing ourselves in blame. In this workshop we will explore how mending from the trauma of a broken heart is truly a spiritual practice that involves tending and being with our words, listening to the invitations of grief, and exploring practical ways to “grow strong at the broken places.”

Presenter: Janet E. Corso Learn more . . .

What Kind of Pray-er Are You?
Spend an adventurous day discovering how the MBTI (Myers Briggs Typology Inventory) can help you gain insights into some of your basic personality traits. We will learn how these traits influence the form of prayer you’re attracted to, nurtured and challenged by. Besides reflecting on input, and sharing questions and new understandings, we will spend ample time practicing the prayer preferences that facilitate our personal spiritual growth.

Presenter: Nancy Erts, OP Learn more . . .

Come for a Fall Weekend Retreat or Reflection Day: Tending Our Longings: A Call to Deeper Relationships
What calls us to relationship? What do we do with the deep longings that arise from the solitude of the soul? This reflection day or weekend retreat will engage us in pondering the nature of desire and its significance in forming relationships with others and God. We are invited to awaken and channel our desires into depth and meaning that opens us up to the mystery of contemplative love. These reflections will come from the Christian tradition and from insights from Jungian depth psychology.

Presenter: Brother Don Bisson, FMS Learn more . . .

Bereavement Support Group
Grief is a normal emotional process in response to loss, illness or a life situation. Though everyone grieves differently, some of its common symptoms are sadness, anger, guilt, loneliness, fatigue and shock. Studies show that sharing our grief in a safe supportive environment, with others who are also grieving, can facilitate the healing process. Honor your grieving as a sacred, transitional time through joining this support group.

Presenter: Judy Slominski, RN Learn more . . .

Transitions of the Soul: Traveling with Pomegranates
In their book Traveling with Pomegranates, Sue Monk Kidd and her daughter, Ann Kidd Taylor, explore feminine thresholds of spiritual growth and renewal as together they navigate life’s transitions. Come reflect and share about the tasks of moving from one stage to another. Learn to love yourself as you are and accept your shortcomings as you discover again the mystery within all that is. If possible, bring a daughter, mother, grandmother, aunt, niece or friend who has supported you through the changing stages of a woman’s life in search of the Holy. (Reading the book is helpful but not required.)

Presenters: Gaynell Cronin; Claire Cronin Dinger Learn more . . .

Men's Issues in Spiritual Direction and Growth
This workshop will assist both men and women who journey with men in spiritual direction, friendships, sponsorships in recovery and other forms of helping and supportive relationships. This special day will focus on specific areas such as: the unique masculine modality of processing material; men’s issues in personal growth; and men’s challenges in both recovery and inner healing.

Presenter: Brother Don Bisson, FMS Learn more . . .

The Fearless Factor: Bridging the Gap Between Fear and Opportunity
In a time when anxiety about the economy, unemployment, and so many other issues is at an all-time high, stress, anxiety and depression can undermine our health and well-being. Now, more than ever, it’s important to utilize strategies to work with the fears in all areas of our lives. This workshop will uncover the hidden methods we use to sabotage opportunity and will develop strategies which will help build confidence, greater communication and overall improvement in self-esteem. Among the topics to be covered are: what fear is and how it appears in our lives; the values that shape our actions; and strategies and plans to convert fear. Participants are encouraged to bring a copy of The Fearless Factor, available at http://www.thefearlessfactor.com/book.   Handouts will be provided but the book will also be used.

Presenter: Jacqueline Wales Learn more . . .

Loss: A Necessary and Sacred Journey
In a semi-silent atmosphere, this retreat/workshop will assist participants in exploring the psychological and spiritual dimensions of loss: the challenges and opportunity that loss invites us to; the possibilities of personal transformation in our sacred stories; and the opportunity to befriend our losses. Besides presentations, there will be time for personal integration and for sharing.

Presenters: Dr. Beverly Musgrave; Rev. Dr. Neil J. McGettigan, OSA Learn more . . .

Calm Down, Relax and Experience God's Love
An informational and experiential seminar, this practical program will teach participants contemplative prayer methods in the Christian and mystic tradition. Recent scientific information shows how contemplative meditation affects the brain hemispheres and the central nervous system, making one more calm and relaxed. Using meditative music, power point presentations, and various prayer experiences, Fr. Loyola will use this information and facilitate the journey from the conscious mind to the spiritual unconscious, and the indwelling presence of God. Comfortable clothing is recommended. Participants may want to bring notebooks for note-taking.

Presenter: Rev. Loyola Amalraj, Ph. D. Learn more . . .

Introduction to "The Sedona Method"
As we explore the simple, easy-to-learn process of self inquiry called the Sedona Method during this gentle workshop day, we will notice how our minds and bodies become deeply relaxed, while at the same time more alert, receptive and energized. While not a psychotherapeutic process, the series of specific questions that will be posed can assist us in effectively letting go of mental and physical tension and stress that create obstacles in our lives. Often helpful in creating a state of emotional well-being, all may ultimately benefit with an increased ease in problem solving, greater creativity and productivity, and increased freedom from past hurts or unresolved trauma.

Presenter: Delilah Praete Learn more . . .

God's Got Your Number
“God loves us as we are but loves us too much to let us stay that way.” – Anne Lamott
Join others in exploring how an ancient spiritual tool, the Enneagram, can be used to move us toward becoming our best selves. Once we become aware of our number on the Enneagram and its meaning, we will learn about and practice ways of prayer that help us transform limitations into strengths, compulsions into gifts and vices into virtues.

Presenter: Nancy Erts, OPLearn more . . .