THE INTERIOR CASTLE
OF ST. TERESA OF AVILA

St. Teresa is the master teacher of the spiritual life. She takes us through the seven mansions of our soul as we journey to full union. This journey is for all of us. We will become acquainted with each of the seven mansions so that we can more easily recognize and follow the path as God leads us, one mansion at a time, into full union with God, the desire of our heart. Donation $65, includes book

CENTERING PRAYER
INTRODUCTORY WORKSHOP

What is Centering Prayer? Is God calling me to this form of prayer? Do I have a desire for union with God that seems unfulfilled by other types of prayer? How do I “do” Centering Prayer? Will Centering Prayer really change me? Is the fact that I can’t quiet my mind a problem? Come and see. It is well worth the time. Donation: $25

OPENING THE DOOR:
FRIDAY MORNING RETREAT

Is God drawing you to a deeper life of prayer, beyond words, with more stillness and silence?  These Friday mornings will help you open the door of your heart to God in Contemplative Prayer.  Can you give one morning a month to learning about and practicing this prayer as a means of opening your whole self to God who heals and transforms you? Contemplation is the cure. God is the Divine Physician. Donation: $125, includes book

BALANCE

Does having a Rule of Life appeal to you? S. Joan Chittister, O.S.B., has made a great contribution by applying the Rule of St. Benedict to the ordinary daily life of all people. Benedict’s Rule provides a spiritual framework around which to organize your everyday life. S. Joan has divided the Rule into small sections to be read daily over a period of four months, from January to April.  Give the first third of 2012 over to balancing your life and see what a difference it makes. Donation: $30, includes lunch and book

THE THREE STAGES OF PRAYER

Do you sometimes have the awareness that your prayer could be fuller or deeper or “more” somehow but you can’t quite “get there”? We will take the journey in this morning retreat from “saying” prayers, to “praying affectively” from the heart to “contemplative union” – all in a morning! Why not? It is our heart’s desire! Donation: $30, includes lunch and book

FINDING SERENITY IN STRESS

Is stress to be banished or befriended? Can I be serene and stressful simultaneously? Can I find the serene place within me which can embrace my stressful soul and let me live more peacefully? Donation: $30, includes lunch and book

PERSONAL RETREAT DAYS

Not a series.Take a day away from the busyness of your life to rest a while 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.

ASH WEDNESDAY RETREAT

“Well begun is half done,” they say. Begin your Lenten Journey on retreat with some silence and prayer to help you listen for God’s direction for your Lenten prayer, fasting and almsgiving. How is God calling you this Lent? Liturgy included. Donation: $20. Please bring a bag lunch.

SIMPLICITY AS A LENTEN PRACTICE

Isn’t it amazing how we crave to simplify our lives even as our world becomes more complex, noisy and chaotic – where multi-tasking is the rule, not the exception? Would it help you to focus on simplicity for your Lenten practices this year? Contemplative Outreach publishes a booklet guiding us through a 40-day practice of simplicity, perfect for Lent! It will make a difference in you by Easter – guaranteed. Donation: $40, includes book and lunch

LENTEN SERIES: SPIRITUALITY AND FASTING

We will gather at the beginning and end of March. In between we will read The Spirituality of Fasting by Msgr. Charles Murphy. My hope in offering this series is that we can rediscover the meaning and value of fasting as a spiritual practice that empties us and helps us be more attentive to God and God’s desire to fill our deepest longings. Let this series be a grace for you this Lent. Donation: $50, includes lunch both days and the book

THE INNER JOURNEY OF FORGIVENESS

Using the classic article of Fr. George Aschenbrenner, S.J. and the exercise in growing in forgiveness by Fr. Carl Arico, we will, with God’s grace, taste and savor the gift of being forgiven and forgiving others who have harmed us. Receiving and extending forgiveness sets us free to live in gratitude and joy. Donation: $30, includes materials and lunch

STATIONS OF THE CROSS:
SIMON AND VERONICA

This morning retreat will be dedicated to the Stations of the Cross, particularly Simon Helps Jesus Carry His Cross and Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus. Come and pray. Lunch included. Love offering.

THE SPIRITUALITY OF STRUGGLE

S. Joan Chittister, O.S.B., has a wonderful way with words and expresses clearly our need for hope in the midst of struggle. During this retreat we will view three 30-minute DVDs by Sister Joan and discuss her message of hope. Bring your struggles with you! Donation: $25, includes lunch

DISCERNMENT OF SPIRITS
AWARENESS – AWARENESS – AWARENESS

The speed of life often keeps us from being aware of God’s presence and grace. Often we wonder, “Where are you, God, and what are you doing?” This retreat day will give us practice in noticing God’s action, called consolation, and the pull away from God, called desolation, so that we can follow the ways of God and notice more quickly the movements of grace as God gives it. Awareness is everything! Donation: $25, includes booklet and lunch

PRAYING WITH SCRIPTURE

What a delightful way to spend a Friday morning – in silence, focusing on God, praying with Scripture, having TIME, precious TIME, with God. Donation: $25, includes booklet and lunch

LETTING GO:
THE SPIRITUALITY OF LIFE’S SECOND HALF

Join with other 50+ year-olds to see how we can live life’s second half even better than the first half; that is, with more joy, integrity and gratitude. What’s the clue? We will let Ronald Rolheiser’s video on the topic meet our shared wisdom and have a wonderful day celebrating the value of life’s second half. Donation: $25 includes lunch

A MORNING WITH MOTHER TERESA:
TEACHER, MYSTIC AND MOTHER

Mother Teresa gets to the heart of our life with God; love for the poor. Spend this morning retreat witnessing her love for God and receiving her challenging and inspiring message that God is present in every human being. Donation:  Love Offering, includes lunch

BE NOT AFRAID – PRAYING THROUGH FEAR

Anxiety and fear accompany us throughout life. How can they lead me toward God, bring me closer to God somehow and be an opportunity to grow in faith? Why does Jesus say, “Be not afraid” more often than anything else? Donation: $20, includes lunch