PERSONAL RETREAT DAYS

Wednesdays    9:30 AM – 2:30 PM

Not a series. Take a day away from the busyness of your life to rest awhile in the Lord and experience God’s presence. Come to Francis House for silence, personal prayer and optional spiritual direction. The day begins and ends with a brief prayer together. Donation: $10; $40 with spiritual direction. Please bring a bag lunch. 

LIVING CONTEMPLATIVELY

9 Saturdays    9:30 AM – 3:30 PM

This program calls out to those who desire to live more contemplatively in the world, to grow in union with God and others, and to become more aware, intentional and free.  God liberates us and heals us through the practice of contemplative prayer.  It’s worth a day a month and an hour a day.  We will focus on three works of Thomas Merton and use his Bridges to Contemplative Living series as our guide throughout the year. Bring a bag lunch. Tuition: $325. 

IMAGES AND PRAYER

Sunday, September 26 

9:30 AM – 2:30 PM 

There are so many ways to pray! This day will be an opportunity to consider creative journaling as a method to pray. We will create images through the use of pastels, water color and collage. These will be starting points for prayer. Come spend some creative time with God. No artistic skills are necessary. Supplies will be provided.  Donation: $25. Please bring a bag lunch. Presenter: Sandy Carmichael 

CELTIC SPIRITUALITY:
ITS MYSTERY, MAGIC, MUSIC
 

Sunday, October 3 

9:30 AM – 2:30 PM 

The contemplative heart of the Celt embraced God in all the ordinary aspects of life. Explore the Mystery (the stories), the Magic (the images), and the Music Within (the landscapes) of that Celtic heart as it invites women and men of a new millennium to embody a spirituality that spans thousands of years. Donation: $25 Please bring a bag lunch. Presenter:  Sister Sheila Holly, SSJ 

ENNEAGRAM INTRODUCTORY COURSE

Saturday, October 9 

9:30 AM – 3:30 PM 

The Enneagram is a study of spiritual patterns that affords profound insight into the workings of human consciousness. It is one of the world’s oldest models for understanding how people relate to each other and to God. Based on nine personality types, the Enneagram allows us to identify the central motivation of our actions. This recognition leads to compassion for ourselves and others. This workshop is for those who are new to the Enneagram. Donation: $50 (includes materials) Please bring a bag lunch. 

CONFRONTING FEAR:
THE ROOT OF VIOLENCE

Monday, October 11 

9:30 AM – 2:30 PM 

Some say that there are only two things in the world: God and fear. Also, there is not a single evil in the world that you cannot trace to fear. Come and explore the truths that underlie these statements. Donation: $25. Please bring a bag lunch. Presenter: Sister Sheila Holly, SSJ 

NATURE, SILENCE, WORSHIP:
CONNECTING POINTS TO THE DIVINE

Sunday, October 24

 9:30 AM – 2:30 PM 

Howard Thurman, a twentieth-century African-American mystic, found God in nature, silence and worship. His experiences of the Divine led him to live from the depths of his being. Come and spend this day learning about Howard Thurman’s experiences of God and how your own experiences of nature, silence and worship can indeed be connecting points to the Divine in your own life.  Donation: $25. Please bring a bag lunch. Presenter:  Katherine Andrews, PhD 

PRAYER: ARRIVING AT SILENCE

Monday, November 8 

9:30 AM – 2:30 PM 

One by one the mystics follow God’s lead in prayer to silence. What are some of the steps in this journey? How do we recognize God’s lure and God’s lead? Spend time this day searching, contemplating, experiencing this truth. Donation: $25. Please bring a bag lunch. Presenter: Sister Sheila Holly, SSJ 

HOPE: BORN AGAIN IN OUR DAY

Monday, December 6 

9:30 AM – 2:30 PM 

What do we twenty-first century Christians mean by hope? In an age where hope seems such a challenge, how can we welcome this precious gift of God? Together we will search for answers to these questions. Donation: $25. Please bring a bag lunch.  Presenter: Sister Sheila Holly, SSJ 

END OF THE YEAR RETREAT

Friday, December 31 

9:30 AM – 2:30 PM 

Since God gives us life and time and is Lord over all, it seems appropriate to end the year in prayer. Francis House offers time, space and quiet for naming the graces of 2010 and expressing gratitude to God. The afternoon will focus on our goals, hopes and desires for 2011. Please bring a bag lunch. Love offering.