MORNING OF PRAYER

Wednesday, September 8

9:30 AM – 1:00 PM

The first program of the year is a morning of simple silence with periods of Lectio Divina and Contemplative Prayer throughout. It’s the best way to start a new year at Francis House and to celebrate the birthday of Mary the Mother of Jesus. Love offering. Lunch included.

LECTIO DIVINA RETREAT

Tuesday, September 14

9:30 AM – 1:00 PM

Lectio Divina is a form of prayer that saturates us in Scripture. It allows the Word of God to penetrate into our entire being and take root in our everyday life. It teaches us to pray with Scripture by reading, reflecting, responding and resting in God’s Word for 20 minutes. Would you like to practice this? Love offering. Lunch included.

TASTE AND SEE

12 Thursdays    8:45 – 9:45 AM

September 16 to December 9

Invite God into your relationship with food! This weekly gathering will help us eat healthfully, enjoy food as God desires and enjoy God even more than food! Are you willing? Pray for the grace and act as though you have it. We will also read  Addiction and Grace by Gerald May and Savor: Mindful Eating, Mindful Life by Thich Nhat Hanh.  Donation: $100 for the series or $10 single session.

FRIDAY MORNING RETREAT
LISTEN TO THE MASTERS

Francis of Assisi, Evelyn Underhill,
The Cloud of Unknowing and Mother Teresa

4 Fridays    9:30 AM  –  Noon

We all need consolation. These readings provide just what we need for strength and encouragement on the journey. We will spend one morning each month together, and the rest of the month praying over the content of these treasures, allowing their words to saturate us with wisdom and peace. These retreat mornings provide time for private prayer and direct our prayer and reading for the month.  Donation: $150 (includes 4 books)

CENTERING PRAYER
INTRODUCTORY WORKSHOP

9:30 AM – 12:30 PM

Sunday, September 19

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 day. Donation: $25.

FALLING INTO THE ARMS OF GOD
STUDY OF ST. TERESA OF AVILA

3  Wednesdays    9:00 – 10:30 AM

This 3-part program is for those who would like to read St. Teresa’s Interior Castle but find it challenging. Megan Don, in Falling into the Arms of God, has simplified the task without diminishing this spiritual classic. If your prayer life needs a lift and you feel God’s invitation to go deeper, please come. It is worth the effort to understand how God takes you through the seven dwelling places of your soul.  Donation: $50 (includes book)

HEALING AND NURTURING
THROUGH NATURE

Saturday, October 9

9:30 AM – Noon

God heals us through our connection with nature. We will share important moments spent in nature and do some activities that will help us “Reconnect with Nature.” These are important in our ongoing relationship with God, ourselves, one another and nature and will be helpful for healing on many levels.

Donation: $20. Presenter:  Sister Mary Anne Zakreski, SSJ

LANDSCAPES OF THE SOUL:
A SPIRITUALITY OF PLACE

6  Mondays   9:30 AM  – Noon

A new awareness of place is developing in those who are serious about their spiritual lives. This new awareness seeks to pay attention to how the ordinary places, the places where we live our everyday lives, shapes and forms our spiritual consciousness. Come to be with others who are experiencing this new awareness and to deepen this activity of God in you. These sessions will provide time for private prayer and will enrich our prayer and discussion. Donation: $175 includes book. Presenter: Sister Sheila Holly, SSJ

BECOMING CENTERED

Tuesday, November 9

9:30 AM – 1:30 PM

Most of us find it challenging to stay in touch with ourselves and God in the midst of so much activity and responsibility. Centering Prayer helps us to experience the Presence of God within, so that we can relate to others from that place of interior peace and freedom. Growing in peace makes all the difference in your world. Donation: $20. Lunch included.

THE SOUL OF NUTRITION

Wednesday, November 17

9:30 AM – 1:30 PM

Why is nutrition important? What difference does it make in my life? I already know how to eat right, so why don’t I? Learn how to make small but significant changes/adjustments for a healthier relationship with your body, mind and spirit. Donation: $25. Healthy lunch included. Presenter: Bernadette Parisi, CMT, RYT, Wellness/Fitness Educator.

THE PRACTICE OF LETTING GO

Friday, November 19

9:30 AM – 1 PM

The season of Autumn is our teacher. Life provides many opportunities to let go of our attachments to belonging and security, affection and esteem, power and control. Is God calling you to practice letting go? “What God arranges for us to experience at each moment is the best and holiest thing that could happen to us.” (Jean-Pierre de Caussade) Donation: $20. Lunch included.

PREPARING SPIRITUALLY FOR CHRISTMAS

Tuesday, December 21

9:30 AM – 1 PM

Give a morning to preparing your heart and soul to celebrate the Mystery of God’s coming into our world at Christmas and into your life every day. Donation: $20. Lunch included.