Mark your calendar to join us the first Wednesday of each month for an inspirational day of prayer and reflection. We begin at 9:30 a.m. with coffee and pastries, a morning presentation at 10:00 a.m.; Mass in the chapel; a delicious lunch and an afternoon presentation at 1:30 p.m. There is also an hour of free time after lunch to walk the beautiful grounds, pray the labyrinth, or just to relax outdoors at the pond. Our day concludes at 3:00 p.m.
The program will focus on accompanying Jesus throughout the hours of his glorious passion, death, and resurrection, using sacred scripture and the writings of St. Francis of Assisi as guides.
T’ai Chi Chih is a particularly enjoyable, contemporary Qigong set of easily learned movements that circulate and balance our vital life of force, or “chi”. Regular practice of these gentle movements results in a state of well-being from the inside-out and brings far reaching benefits. T’ai is a wonderful form of movement almost anyone can learn, even those with arthritis and fibromyalgia. Some movements can be adapted to be done seated. Please wear comfortable clothing and flat-soled shoes.
This retreat, based on Joyce Rupp’s latest book, offers both inspiration and encouragement for personal growth. Opening the “door” is a way of speaking about an invisible passageway through which we enter the endless territory of beauty and truth secluded in our interior world. This symbolic door of the heart bears a similarity to physical doors in that it, too, opens and closes. Our heart-door opens inward to the deepest, truest part of who we are. There we find the inherent goodness seeded in us at our birth. The door then opens outward to the world where we bring this giftedness and share it with others. The retreat will include conferences on the journey of discovering one’s authentic self, quiet times of reflection, small group dialogue, and creative prayer experiences. Joyce Rupp, international speaker and retreat director, describes herself as a “spiritual mid-wife.” Her ministry includes writing, conferences and spiritual direction.
About the Presenter:
Joyce is the award-winning author of numerous popular books including Praying our Goodbyes, and her latest, Walk in a Relaxed Manner: Life Lessons on the Camino (Orbis Books), which received a first place award from The Catholic Press Association. Her sixteen books are now published in eight languages. She has spoken in Canada, Europe, New Zealand, Africa, Australia and Asia. Her professional education includes degrees in English, Religious Education, and Transpersonal Psychology. Joyce is a member of the Servants of Mary community and a volunteer for Hospice. She is the recipient of U.S. Catholic’s national award for furthering the cause of women in the church. To learn more about Joyce, go to www.joycerupp.com.
Suggested Reading:
Title
Author
Publisher
Praying Our Goodbyes
Joyce Rupp
Ave Maria Press 1989
Little Pieces of Light: Darkness and Personal Growth
Joyce Rupp
Paulist Press1994
Dear Heart, Come Home: the Path of Midlife Spirituality
Joyce Rupp
Crossroads 1996
The Circle of Life:
The Heart’s Journey through the Seasons