THE FRUITS AND TRANSFORMING POWER OF CONTEMPLATION
3 Thursdays 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM
January 31 February 28 March 21
Contemplation is the cure for the reactive ways of the false self. Contemplation helps us experience the Presence of God and God’s transforming grace within the depths of our true selves. This 3-part series will help you receive what you have always wanted: freedom from the attachments that are an obstacle to your joy, peace and fruitfulness for the world. Do you believe that in truth, “More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of?” We will use some tapes of Father Thomas Keating as part of the series. Donation: $20 a session, includes lunch.
TEILHARD READING GROUP
5 Fridays 1:00 – 2:30 PM
January 4 February 1 March 1
April 5 May 3
Our study of Teilhard continues this year with the reading of some of Teilhard’s essays from The Heart of Matter, along with Sister Kathy Duffy’s Teilhard’s Mysticism. Please join our lively discussions about Teilhard’s vision of God’s plan for the ongoing growth and evolution of all creation into full union with God. Donation: $90, includes book.
FRIDAYS WITH JULIAN OF NORWICH
THE DRAWING OF THIS LOVE
5 Fridays 4:30 – 6:00 PM
January 4 February 1 March 1 April 5 May 10
This program is in response to a special request from some lovers of Julian. Julian of Norwich is one of those women mystics whose message has lasted over the centuries. She is best known for her quote, “All shall be well; all manner of things shall be well.” Julian offers confidence in confusion, calm in chaos, and soothing for the soul, because she is utterly focused on Jesus and his healing for us all. She is easy to understand and surprisingly relevant to our times. I’m looking forward to a great year under Julian’s care. If this Friday time works for you, please come. Donation: $90, includes book.
SPIRITUAL READING GROUP
5 Fridays 6:30 – 8:30 PM
January 4 February 1 March 1 April 5 May 10
Good spiritual reading is a must for spiritual growth. Companions on the journey help with the practice of this spiritual exercise. This will be fun as well as fruitful. Can you devote one Friday night a month to this pursuit? As usual, we will feast on a variety of spiritual gems. Donation: $115, includes all books.
Radical Spirit.................................................Joan Chittister, OSB
Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World......Joanna Weaver
Can You Drink This Cup? ............................Henri Nouwen
LIVING CONTEMPLATIVELY
5 Saturdays 9:15 AM – 3:30 PM
January 5 February 2 March 2 April 6 May 11
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. Wonderful spiritual reading will support our contemplative prayer throughout the year. It’s worth a day a month and an hour a day. Bring a bag lunch. Tuition: $185.
THE ARTIST’S WAY
DISCOVERING & RECOVERING YOUR CREATIVE SELF
10 Mondays 3:00 – 4:30 PM
January 7 February 25 April 29
January 28 March 11 May 13
February 11 March 25 June 3
April 8
The spiritual path to higher creativity is an exciting journey for those who desire to cooperate with God’s liberation of their creative energies. Come to know the great dynamic of creativity that is God’s gift to you through our study of Julia Cameron’s classic on creative living, The Artist’s Way. Donation $125, includes book. Led by Jill Snyder.
CLASSICS ON CONTEMPLATIVE PRAYER
6 Tuesdays 6:30 – 8:30 PM
January 8 March 5 May 7
February 5 April 2 June 4
Grow in the practice of contemplative prayer by coming to these monthly sessions. The evenings include two 20-minute contemplative prayer periods. We will also view a 20-minute segment of Fr. Thomas Keating’s DVD series, Opening to the Presence of God and engage in good spiritual reading on contemplative prayer between sessions. Between sessions, we will read The Impact of God by Iain Matthew. Donation: $90, includes book.
FRIENDS OF ST. TERESA OF AVILA
5 Wednesdays 9:00 – 11:00 AM
January 9 February 6 March 13 April 10 May 8
St. Teresa has the great gift of writing about her relationship with God in such a way that helps us know that intimacy with God is an invitation and gift to us all. Come join us as Teresa leads us on our journey to full union with God. This journey is for all of us. Each session will also include 20 minutes of contemplative prayer and part of a video on Teresa’s Interior Castle. We will read Falling into the Arms of God, by Megan Don between sessions. Donation: $90, includes book.
FOLLOWING THE MYSTICS THROUGH
THE NARROW GATE
5 Wednesdays 1:00 – 2:30 PM
January 9 February 6 March 13 April 10 May 8
God made us with a longing that only God can satisfy. How can we access that place within where we know we are one with God, where there is a peace beyond our making? Can we learn to live our mystical lives, experiencing God’s Presence in all things? James Finley and Richard Rohr will lead us in their video series, first by helping us understand that we are all capable of a life of union with God and others. They touch a place within us that is hard to find on our own. James Finley particularly touches my soul. We will read An Invitation to the Contemplative Life, by Thomas Merton between sessions throughout the year. Donation: $75, includes book.
THE 12 STEPS
A PATH TO RECOVERY
5 Thursdays 8:30 – 10:00 AM
January 10 February 7 March 7 April 4 May 2
The 12 Steps are for all of us, as we all have attachments and addictions and we all desire freedom from them. This Program will take us through the traditional 12 Steps that teach us to rely on God as our Liberator from our unhealthy habits. We will also use The Recovery Bible and accompanying workbook to help us pray with Scripture related to each Step. Whether you are new to the 12 Steps or are very familiar with them, you are welcome. If you’ve always wanted to do a 12 Step program but just haven’t had the opportunity, please come and give God a chance to set you free. Led by Mary DeJoseph and Deacon Bill Wilson. Donation: $25 for the books and a Love Offering for each session.
HONORING YOUR CONTEMPLATIVE SOUL
THOMAS KEATING & THE CLOUD OF UNKNOWING
5 Thursdays 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
January 10 February 7 March 7 April 4 May 2
During this 2-hour session each month, we will combine the teachings of Trappist Monk, Fr. Thomas Keating on contemplation with our discussion of the classic on contemplative prayer, The Cloud of Unknowing. We will conclude each session with 20 minutes of contemplative prayer. This program is particularly for those who desire to deepen their practice of contemplative prayer, or centering prayer as we sometimes call it. Donation: $90, includes The Daily Reader for Contemplative Living by Fr. Keating and The Cloud of Unknowing, translated by Carmen Butcher.
CHRIST’S PRESENCE IN ALL
THE COSMIC CHRIST
5 Mondays 4:30 – 6:00 PM
January 14 February 4 March 4 April 1 May 6
Enjoy discovering Christ who is at the center of our lives and who permeates all creation throughout the universe. Ilia Delio, OSF, draws on mystics, saints and theologians to show how the love of God is at the heart of everything in the cosmos. Led by: Jill Snyder. Donation: $75, includes book.
MONDAYS WITH MERTON
5 Mondays 9:30 – 11:30 AM
January 28 February 25 March 25 April 29 May 13
Thomas Merton will continue to be our guide to living life in the Spirit. Throughout the winter and spring, we will enjoy Merton’s thoughts and wisdom in his book, No Man Is an Island. Time will also be given to experience Lectio Divina and contemplative prayer. Led by Jill Snyder. Donation: $65, includes book.
FOUR WOMEN MYSTICS
5 Tuesdays 6:30 – 8:00 PM
Are you in need of some inspiration, and consolation? Might you be up for a study of four women mystics? There is a mystic inside each of us, that place where we desire God above and in all, where we desperately need God, and depend on God. Perhaps some good spiritual reading on these mystics might quench your thirst for God and heal your soul of the anxiety and turmoil of our times. Since this is an evening program, it is available for our mystics-in-the-making who work during the day and need some mystical moments as a treat for their souls. It’s worth the time and effort. Donation: $75, includes book.
January 29 Julian of Norwich
February 26 Catherine of Siena
March 26 Teresa of Avila
April 16 Thérèse of Lisieux
May 14 Summary
THE GIFT OF LIFE & LIFE ETERNAL
“I have come that you may have life
and have it to the full.” (Jn. 10:10)
2 Fridays, February 8 & 15 9:30 AM – 2:00 PM
At some level we are always preparing for death. It is always before us. The dying process is the culmination or peak of development – the whole development of the spiritual journey in which the total surrender into God involves the gift of life itself. Death is perhaps the most complete surrender. For that reason, it is not death, but life, a movement into a fullness that we can’t imagine. We are called by God to enter into the transformative process, to open to a new reality that is our True Self and beyond…to the image and the likeness of God. This discovery of ourselves is always a losing of ourselves – a death and resurrection. Yet this is the fullness of life itself, a life abiding in the grace and truth of Christ in whom we are being built together into the dwelling place of God in the Spirit. Father Thomas Keating, via tape, will lead us through this 2-part retreat. His final days and years were filled with wisdom that we all need as God prepares us for the awesome road ahead. Donation: $25 a session, lunch included.
DELIGHT IN GOD
WITH ST. HILDEGARD OF BINGEN
3 Mondays 9:30 – 11:30 AM
February 11 March 11 April 8
Connect with God through the inspirations of St. Hildegard of Bingen who came to know God deeply through Scripture, nature, music…just to name a few. This most recent woman Doctor of the Church offers us simple ways to be more aware of God’s generous love. Led by Jill Snyder. Donation: $35, includes materials.
GOD’S LOVE UNFOLDS
4 Mondays 1:00 – 2:30 PM
February 11 March 11 April 8 May 13
Together we will discover God’s love unfolding in the universe story, which is our story. This 4-part series will open you to a discovery of the connectedness of everything. Nothing falls outside of God’s loving gaze. Explore your connection to God through contemplative prayer as well as the book, Field of Compassion - How the New Cosmology Is Transforming Spiritual Life by Judy Cannato. Led by Jill Snyder. Donation: $60, book included.
THE MATURING OF YOUR SOUL
PILGRIMAGE INTO THE LAST THIRD OF LIFE
3 Fridays 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM
March 8 April 12 May 17
To age is to transition into the last period of growth. The invitation from God in the final years of life is to deeper intimacy, and to living more courageously, consciously and contemplatively from your soul, as you prepare for your eventual transition into new life. We are offering a 3-part series that meets monthly for the 65+ who are in this most graced season of life. Come to as many as you can. No need to attend all three. Donation: $25 per session, lunch included. You will receive some reading material for between sessions, and relevant books will be available for you if you wish to purchase them.
MAINTAINING INTERIOR PEACE
3 Wednesdays 3:00 – 4:30 PM
March 13 March 27 April 10
We live in a day and age characterized by an extraordinary amount of agitation, fear and anxiety. This tendency manifests itself in our interior as well as our exterior lives. How can we find peace of heart and learn to respond graciously to the upsetting situations we must all face? This series takes place during Lent. Would you like to choose the practice of interior peace as the focus of your Lenten Journey? You will receive a small, readable book for your reflection between sessions. Donation: $50, includes book.
SACRED DARKNESS
ENCOUNTERING DIVINE LOVE IN LIFE'S DARKEST PLACES
3 Wednesdays 6:00 – 8:00 PM
March 13 March 27 April 10
By learning to embrace darkness rather than run from it, we can experience God’s love in ways and in places where we would least expect it. This is a 3-part Lenten Retreat on the necessity and beauty of darkness as a means of encountering God in our lives. How appropriate that we are having it at night! Donation: $50, includes Sacred Darkness, which we will read between sessions.
THE IMPACT OF GOD
3 Wednesdays 6:30 – 8:00 PM
May 8, 15 & 29
I can’t help myself. This final series for the season is the best of all. John of the Cross is too deep and steep for most of us to grasp, but Iain Matthew has captured the essence of John’s message as God making space for Himself. John of the Cross testifies to a God who longs to meet us and to love us in our deepest need. John’s writing draws us gently along the road of deepening relationship with this God of love, into the immense depth of life-giving prayer. John gives us courage to believe in the possibility of change in our own lives, however unlikely or impossible this may seem. Come to know John’s message through Iain Matthew. Truly, it will change your understanding, experience, and relationship with your God. Donation: $60, includes book.
GIFT CERTIFICATES
Gift Certificates for any amount are always available if you would like to treat someone to a retreat or program at Francis House. Call if interested, or get one when you come. A great birthday present!
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Please register for all programs by calling 609-877-0509. Be sure to include your full name and PHONE NUMBER and the title of the program on our voice mail. Registering by phone is preferred!
If you wish to register by email, refer to "Contact Us."
Spring 2019 Series
Francis House of Prayer
TrenTON DIOCESAN SPIRITUAL CENTER
Francis House of Prayer © 2013