SEPTEMBER 2010

WALKING ON WATER: HEALING THE PETER WITHIN US

September 17 - 19

(Begins 7 p.m. Friday and Concludes with Mid-Day Meal on Friday)

Within each of us there is a Peter: one who tries to walk on water in life's storm and fearfully sinks.  We find our hollowness as we try to please others and swing from angrily boasting ("I will follow you even if no one else does!") to shamefully lying ("I don't even know the man!").  We get discouraged as we fish all

night and catch nothing.  We struggle with how to repair broken relationships and to say, "You know that I love you."  We, in our second half of life, need to make Peter's journey in order to experience Jesus healing our fear, anger, guilt, shame and grief to transform  us from "Simon" the broken to "Peter" the rock, most gifted disciple.

Presenter:   Fr. Matthew Linn, S.J.   Fr. Linn is a member of the Jesuit community in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  He has written extensively and given retreats on themes of healing all over the United States as well as internationally.

Fee:    $150 (includes a $40 non-refundable deposit to hold reservation, due 2 weeks prior to program.)

INTRODUCTION TO LECTIO DIVINA

AND CONTEMPLATIVE PRAYER

September 21 and 28, October 12 and 19,

November 9 and 16, December 7     7:00 PM - 8:30PM

Pope Benedict XVI has recommended the ancient tradition of Lectio Divina, stating "This practice will bring to the Church - I am convinced of it - a new spiritual springtime."  Praying the scriptures in this way is one of the recommendations made at the 2008 Synod of Bishops on the Word of God.  This seven-session program is designed to be both instructive and experiential.  While each session is a self-contained, stand-alone unit, there is growth and development in doing the entire series.

September 21 - "What is Prayer?" will present the major points of the Catechism on prayer and give a review of the difficulties experienced in beginning a prayer life as well as practical suggestions for overcoming them.

September 28 - "What is Lectio Divina?"  will be an introduction, using the inspired Word of God, how to choose texts, finding our work, praying through our lives, letting the Word of God be a mirror and a light for our path.

October 12 - "What is meditation?"  In this session we will take a close look at this major aspect of Lectio, meditation - what it is, what it is not, practical suggestions on how to do it, working on the composition of place.

October 19 - "What is contemplation?"   Looking at this desired state of Lectio,  we will speak of what contemplation is, what it is not, more practical suggestions, and the prayer of surrender.

November 9 - "The False Self"   In this session, we will look at the selfish ego and the defensive programs of happiness, how to be aware of them, how to deal with them in our lives, and at the patience needed in the practice of prayer.

November 16 - "Subtler Manifestations of the False Self"   This session consists of descriptions of the blocks on the road to holiness, how the "ego" reconstitutes itself and the need for examination, the benefit of spiritual accompaniment, and growing in awareness and surrender to God's will.

December 7 - This will be a wrap-up session, finishing the remaining points, and time to look at our journey together, sharing our experience.

Presenter:   Fr. Gary Banks, S.T.  is at the Shrine of St. Joseph in Stirling, New Jersey.  He is a graduate of the Pontifical Institute in Rome and has pursued Biblical Studies at Catholic University, D.C., Hebrew University in Jerusalem, and St. Georgen in Frankfort am-Main, Germany.  His studies in Spiritual Theology were at Gregorian Institute in Rome.  Fr. Gary served as a seminary professor while pastoring in inner city Los Angeles, California.  He has been a missionary in the Caribbean and Mexico.

Fee:   $10 per session or $60 for the entire 7 sessions (includes refreshments and materials.)

FOR EACH OF THESE PROGRAMS, PLEASE CALL TO REGISTER AT LEAST ONE DAY PRIOR TO PROGRAM.

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WOMEN'S RETREAT: GENEROUS BEYOND MEASURE

October l-3 Begins 7:00 p.m. Friday;
Concludes with Dinner at Noon on Sunday

God's love for us is beyond measure.  In this autumn season of bounty, we are called to consider the depth and richness of God's overflowing love for each one of us, just as we are.  We will prayerfully explore what response we are being called to make to this love at this particular time in our lives.

Presenter:    Sr. Beth Butler, M.S.B.T. is a member of our retreat team at Mother Boniface Spirituality Center.  Previously, she has served on the General Council of the Missionary Servants of the Most Blessed Trinity and has had years of experience  in social work, counseling and Canon Law.

Fee:      $150 (includes a $40 non-refundable deposit due 10 days prior to retreat.)

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ADVENT AWAITING, ADVENT AWAKENING!
December 3-4, 2010
Begins 7:00 p.m. Friday, Concludes 7:00 p.m. Saturday

Many of us think about and do a lot of preparation for Christmas Day.  Join us for reflections on some of the many Advent readings that awaken us to "God who is closer to us than we are to ourselves."  Create in yourself the inner stillness and sense the presence of God within.

Presenter:    Sr. Betty Anne Meade, M.S.B.T. is a member of our retreat team at Mother Boniface Spirituality Center.  She has a background in social work, counseling and spiritual direction.

Fee:      $95  (includes a $25 non-refundable deposit due 10 days prior to retreat)