At the Center. In this Issue: Fra nc i scan Spirituality Center Dedicated to anyone seeking God,

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1 NEWSLETTER FROM THE FRANCISCAN SPIRITUALITY CENTER Fra nc i scan Spirituality Center Dedicated to anyone seeking God, meaning and wholeness. VOLUME 22 NUMBER 2 MARCH/APRIL 2014 At the Center In this Issue: 29th Annual Conference Father Richard Rohr Webinar Franciscan Easter Serenity Retreat Compassionate Communication 920 Market Street La Crosse, WI

2 Register before April 1 for the Early Bird Rate of $75 29 th Annual Conference May 2-3, 2014 Open to everyone The Franciscan Spirituality Center and English Lutheran Church present: O With keynote speaker Paula D Arcy author of Gift of the Red Bird pening doors unexpected TO THE We invite you to attend this inspirational conference. Paula triumph that will enlighten and will share her personal story of tragedy to inspire you to expand your self-awareness. This Friday and Saturday conference will be held at English Lutheran Church located at 1509 King Street, La Crosse Friday Workshops: Four community members will share insights and personal stories of discovering God when least expected. Holy Invitations for Busy People with Amy Zalk Larson From None to All-Theist with Kristy Walz Spirit Songs: Music in the Holocaust with Sonja Larson Heart Lessons from an Autistic Daughter with Steve Spilde To register, please visit: or call: Fra nc i scan Spirituality Center The Franciscan Spirituality Center is a sponsored ministry of the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration. English Lutheran Church is a co-sponsor of the FSC s 29th Annual Conference.

3 At the Center newsletter is published six times a year on earth-friendly paper with a higher recycled content. Find us on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. Franciscan Spirituality Center 920 Market Street, La Crosse, WI FSCenter@fspa.org Identity Franciscan Spirituality Center is a sacred place that welcomes everyone. We are rooted in the Gospels and sponsored by the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration. Mission The Franciscan Spirituality Center is dedicated to supporting anyone in their search for God, meaning and wholeness. We live this mission because we believe: In each of us lives the Sacred. We need each other to recognize and honor that part of ourselves. Responding to spiritual hunger is necessary for growth, healing and peace. As we grow in wholeness, we contribute to the healing of all creation. Core Values In keeping with the tradition of our Franciscan founders, we hold these core values: Sacredness: Believe that in every person and all creation lives the Sacred. Respect: Acknowledge the dignity, diversity and worth of each person as a unique image of God. Community: Through prayer, empathy and sharing, create a safe, peaceful place. Hospitality: Welcome all with compassion, acceptance and celebration. Professionalism: Commit to competence, quality, trust and personal spiritual development. What We Do The Franciscan Spirituality Center guides and directs processes for prayer and offers personal presence to anyone on their sacred journey as co-creators of a just and peaceful world. The Center offers individual and group spiritual direction, guided and preached retreats, day-long programs and events. Staff is available for off-site workshops, presentations and programs. At the Center VOLUME 22 NUMBER 2 MARCH/APRIL 2014 Articles 2 Director s Column 3 Spirited Friends - Monthly Giving 4 29th Annual Conference 11 New Spiritual Space March/April Offerings 6 Program & Retreat Offerings 8 Series Offerings News & Happenings 9 Spiritual Direction Preparation Program 10 Body, Mind and Spirit 12 New Faces 7 Serenity Retreat: Resting in Quiet Hope Humility and simplicity belong together; where we have no wish to compete with our neighbor; where we can be open and helpful; where we can comfort the distressed, and encourage those who are left behind. ~ Third Order, Society of St. Francis AT THE SOPHIA BOOKSTORE Linda Kerrigan, FSPA Affiliate, recommends this book title for you: For Everything a Season by Joan Chittister. A spiritually uplifting and thought provoking book for reviewing the ever changing and contrasting seasons of our life...a wonderful choice for a book discussion group! 6 Richard Rohr Webinar Sr. Amy Taylor recommends these new book titles for you: Sacred Threshold: Crossing the Inner Barriers to a Deeper Love by Paula D Arcy Sacred Attention: A Spiritual Practice for Finding God in the Moment by Margaret D. McGee Sabbath in the Suburbs: A Family s Experiment with Holy Time by Mary Ann McKibben Dana 2014 MARCH/APRIL AT THE CENTER PAGE 1

4 F R O M T H E D I R E C T O R Turning to the Light Right after New Year s Day the first gardening catalogue arrived in my mailbox. Later that week I saw the workers in a home improvement store clearing away the Christmas merchandise to make room for racks of seeds, gardening gloves and potting soil. It gave me hope since at the time we were suffering through a polar vortex, which appeared to be kind of a huge Arctic tornado that engulfed the weather maps. From January 5-7 we experienced the coldest temperatures in 18 years. The news reports said we had grown soft from mild winters and pronounced us weather wimps. The seed catalogues and gardening displays invite us to believe that despite the darkness and cold, spring will come. The sunlight will grow stronger, we will slowly thaw out and signs of new life will appear all around us. It is a mystery and also a metaphor for the human experience. In our darkest times, when it appears that all is cold and dead, we are invited to believe in the power of Love to bring about new life. The winters we face in life might be the loss of a job, a separation or divorce, an addiction or a health crisis. Suffering is both intensely personal and universal. For Paula D Arcy, the keynote speaker at the FSC s upcoming 29th Annual Conference, it happened when a drunk driver crashed into the D Arcy family car. Paula and her unborn child survived; her husband and three-year-old daughter did not. The death of her husband and child plunged Paula into a deep and terrifying darkness. FRANCISCAN SPIRITUALITY CENTER Staff Audrey Quanrud FSC Director Program Coordinator I remember this feeling when Roy and Sarah were killed. I remember trying so hard to find God when only darkness was showing. God, why do you ask us to love you in the dark? ~ Paula D Arcy Paula s story, told in her book Gift of the Red Bird, is remarkable not only for the insights she gained as she moved through grief, but for the new life that began to grow in her after her loss. A gifted speaker, storyteller and retreat leader, Paula has been named one of the Living Spiritual Teachers of our time by Spirituality and Practice. She is a keen observer of the human search for God and ways to grow more aware of God s presence in every moment of life even the winter times. Peace and all good, Steve Spilde Spiritual Director Rosalie Hooper Thomas, FSPA Affiliate Spiritual Director Amy Taylor FSPA Retreat Coordinator Barb Kruse Spiritual Director Laurie Swan Office Manager Linda Kerrigan FSPA Affiliate Spiritual Director Emily Strickler Marketing Communications Coordinator Audrey Quanrud, FSC Director and Progran Coordinator Zoua Vue Receptionist & Hospitality Mary Knutson Receptionist & Hospitality Liz Brunner Hospitality Coordinator DarleneWozney FSPA Affiliate Hospitality PAGE 2 FRANCISCAN SPIRITUALITY CENTER

5 MAKING A THOUGHTFUL COMMITMENT TO THE FRANCISCAN SPIRITUALITY CENTER Spirited F riends A MONTHLY GIVING PROGRAM Q. Who are the Spirited Friends? A. Spirited Friends make a monthly gift to help sustain the ministry of the Franciscan Spirituality Center. Q. How does this giving program work? A. You decide on a monthly gift amount that fits your budget. You authorize your bank to transfer this amount from your checking account directly to FSPA for the FSC. Spirited Friends is an easy and efficient way for you to make a monthly gift and provide reliable support that is vital to the Franciscan Spirituality Center. Your monthly gift will help the Center live out our Franciscan mission to provide for those who seek support. Each year we give scholarships to those in need for spiritual direction, programs and retreats at the FSC. By enrolling in the Spirited Friends program, you make a significant contribution all year without the need to write checks, find envelopes, buy stamps and make a trip to the post office. Become a Spirited Friend and help others on their path to connecting with God, meaning and wholeness. Visit our website for a brochure and enrollment form. Planned Giving Please remember the Franciscan Spirituality Center in your will. FSC is part of the FSPA, a 501c(3) non-profit organization. Our tax ID# Thank you for your ongoing support. Spiritual Living The Franciscan Spirituality Center is the place for people from all walks of life and spiritual paths to come together to learn more about God, themselves and how to use spiritual principles to build a peaceful life and world. We hope this will be a place for you to find your peace and renewal! Community Prayer is every Wednesday from 11:30-noon.We will listen with the ear of the heart to the Gospel for the coming Sunday and pray for the needs of the world, our community and each other. All are welcome, please join us. Evening Centering Prayer is the first and third Tuesday each month at 5:30 p.m. Experience the stillness and silence of community prayer with others seeking solitude. All are welcome! Depressed Anonymous is a 12-step group where people dealing with depression can generate positive energies, form friendships and find support. Meets every Monday from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Call Vince Hatt at for more information. Freewill offering accepted. Return & Recovery for Military Veterans Program of A4TH invites veterans and loved ones to the FSC on Tuesdays from 1-4 p.m. March 4 and April 8 for free expressive art and support. Discover a unique way to treat PTSD and other mental health conditions in a welcoming and peaceful space with counselors, artists, mentors and other veterans who have shared experiences. Enneagram Study Group is a discussion group for those interested in using the Enneagram to explore their spiritual life and relationships with family, friends and co-workers. The group meets monthly on the second Wednesday from 5:15-7 p.m. Freewill offering accepted. Drumming Circle meets the second Thursday of the month from 5:30-6:30 p.m. The focus of this circle is prayer and ceremony. Interspersed with drumming, we share stories and reflections. Bring your favorite drum. Freewill offering accepted. Conversations that Matter is a men s group that provides the opportunity to dialogue with other men on issues that matter in their lives. This group meets twice a month on either Tuesday or Wednesday evening from 7-9 p.m. Call Vince Hatt at for more information. Saturday Morning Men s Group enjoys coffee and muffins while discussing a current book related to spirituality. This group meets the third Saturday of the month from 9-11 a.m. Call Vince Hatt at for book information. What is Spiritual Direction? on March 17 at 5:30 p.m. is an opportunity for you to meet our spiritual directors and learn how spiritual direction can help you. Light supper will be provided, please call to register. Free and open to everyone MARCH/APRIL AT THE CENTER PAGE 3

6 EARLY BIRD RATE Full conference is only $75 if you register before April 1! Opening TO THE 29 th Annual Conference May 2-3, 2014 with keynote speaker Paula D Arcy at English Lutheran Church doors unexpected Join Paula D Arcy as she gives her keynote, Walking the Path Before You at the 29th Annual Conference. During both morning and afternoon sessions Paula will share her story and lead us through the many ways we encounter God in our life as we open new doors to the unexpected. Keynote Speaker: Paula D Arcy Walking the Path Before You Paula D Arcy, a writer, retreat leader, and conference and seminar speaker, travels widely in the United States, Canada and abroad. She is also President of the Red Bird Foundation, which supports the growth and spiritual development of those in need and furthers a ministry both to those in prison and those living in third world or disadvantaged cultures. Paula s ministry grew from personal tragedy. In 1975 she survived a drunken driving accident, which took the lives of her husband and twenty-one-month-old daughter. Pregnant at the time, Paula survived the accident to give birth to a second daughter, Beth Starr. A former psychotherapist who ministered to those facing issues of grief and loss, Paula worked with the Peale Foundation, founded by Dr. Norman Vincent Peale, from 1980 until his death in Today her work includes leading workshops and retreats related to spirituality, aspiring writers, and women s gatherings, including Women s Initiation and Rites of Passage. In recent years she has teamed with Father Richard Rohr to present seminars on the Male/Female Journey and Spirituality in the Two Halves of Life. Paula also presently serves as adjunct faculty at Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio and Seton Cove in Austin, Texas, the summer Institute of Adult Spiritual Renewal held at Loyola University, Chicago, Ill. and The Living School, sponsored by Richard Rohr s Center for Action and Contemplation in Albuquerque, N.M. When the terrible darkness of grief lifted, I emerged deeply sensitized to all suffering. My life had been directly and forever altered by a force of great Love that moved even in the midst of considerable heartache and pain. Now I wanted to give back to the world in some way. I wanted others in need to know the power and reach of that Love. ~ Paula D Arcy PAGE 4 FRANCISCAN SPIRITUALITY CENTER

7 FRIDAY BREAKOUT SESSIONS AT THE 29th ANNUAL CONFERENCE On Friday, May 2 participants will choose two sessions to attend in the afternoon before meeting Paula D Arcy for a book signing and social at the Franciscan Spirituality Center. Holy Invitations for Busy People Presenter: Amy Zalk Larson If we are to experience change and newness in our life, we need something much greater than strategies, tools and advice. We need a new way of being a contemplative way of being that allows us to encounter the hidden God. Explore seven invitations into the contemplative way of being in the midst of your busy life. Spirit Songs: Music in the Holocaust Presenter: Sonja Larson As a music performance student, Sonja Larson researched the role of music in prisoner s letters and diaries and Holocaust survivor s written and oral accounts. In this session, Sonja will describe how music played an important spiritual role by providing the victims of genocide with the means to find hope and comfort in a void of humanity and compassion. From None to All-theist Presenter: Kristy Walz Kristy Walz was just shy of 40 when she joined a church for the first time in her life. Although she grew up in a loving family, it did not include religion. The stories and traditions of religious expression were like a foreign culture to her. As a busy professional, wife and mother, she became aware of the hidden God in the people she was meeting. In this session, Kristy will describe how slowly, a uniquely personal adult spirituality began growing where seemingly there was nothing before. Heart Lessons from an Autistic Daughter Presenter: Steve Spilde Ten years ago Steve and his wife, Jeannette, adopted a little girl from China and named her Sophia, from the Greek word meaning wisdom. At the time, they didn t realize how appropriate this name would be. When it started to become clear their daughter had significant learning delays related to autism, Steve began reflecting on the many ways loving this child was changing him. Steve will share the lessons Sophia has taught him and how he discovered love at a deep transformative level. Books by Paul D Arcy are available for sale at the Sophia Bookstore at the FSC. Friday, May 2, 2014 SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE English Lutheran Church 1-1:30 p.m.... Registration 1:30-2 p.m.... Opening Prayer 2-3 p.m.... Breakout Session I (select from four sessions) 3-3:30 p.m.... Break 3:30-4:30 p.m.... Breakout Session II (select from four sessions) 4:30-6 p.m.... Dinner (on your own) Reconvene at the Franciscan Spirituality Center, 920 Market St., La Crosse 7-9 p.m.... Book signing and evening social with Paula D Arcy For more information on the 29th Annual Conference, visit Optional $7 lunch is available on Saturday. Don t miss out on Early Bird pricing! Call to register. Saturday, May 3, 2014 English Lutheran Church 9 a.m.... Registration 9:15 a.m..... Opening Prayer 9:45-11:45 a.m.... Walking the Path Before You Part I with Paula D Arcy 11:45-1 p.m.... Lunch (on your own or choose on-site lunch option) 1-3 p.m.... Walking the Path Before You Part II with Paula D Arcy 3 p.m.... Adjourn $75 Early Bird Registration ends April 1, MARCH/APRIL AT THE CENTER PAGE 5

8 2014 Program &Retreat Offerings If the investment is beyond your financial means, we can help. Please call Laurie Swan, office manager, to confidentially discuss our scholarship options. We are dedicated to anyone in their search for God and wholeness and want to support you on your spiritual journey. March 8 Saturday, 9-11 a.m. Investment: $10 Presenters: Richard Rohr, OFM & FSC Staff Registration deadline: February 26, 2014 Richard Rohr Webinar: Meeting the St. Paul you never knew This year Richard Rohr, OFM is taping three teachings on themes from the Christian tradition. He offers new ways of understanding the teachings of Jesus, St. Paul, and St. Francis. The FSC is a subscriber to this series and will replay the second event on Saturday, March 8. Father Richard will introduce us to the biblical writer who has often been misunderstood. Paul s message is not individualistic but cosmic, not moral but mystical, not so much about Jesus but about the Christ, says Father Rohr. The morning includes time after the talk for discussion about what we have heard. March 11 Tuesday, 6-7:30 p.m. Investment: $10 Presenter: Tom Roberts, LCSW, LMFT Registration deadline: March 3, 2014 The Sound of Bowls: An evening of calm and clarity with Tibetan singing bowls Due to the great interest in this contemplative experience, Tom is offering The Sound of Bowls again! If you missed Tom s presentation in January, we hope you can make it this time. Please register in advance, space is limited and this program will fill quickly. Traditional historic singing bowls produce sounds that invoke deep states of relaxation, naturally assisting one in entering expanded states of consciousness and meditation. The sound of the bowls creates a deep level of communication with our inner world that opens us to the Divine. Enjoy an evening of captivating renewal in the presence of ageless bell sounds. You are invited to wear comfortable clothes and bring your own pillow to sit on the floor. March 13 Thursday, 6-8 p.m. Investment: $10 Presenter: Audrey Quanrud Registration deadline: March 5, 2014 The Personality Factor: Understanding differences in our closest relationships Temperament differences in close relationships can be fun to observe, but they can also be the source of misunderstandings and frustration. Understanding personality type can help you not only appreciate and enjoy your loved ones more, it can help you avoid the pitfalls of assuming that everyone is just like you. This evening will provide you with an overview of four basic temperament groups. If there is someone in your life you just don t get, you will have fun exploring why you might just see the world quite differently. March 15 Saturday, 9-11 a.m. Investment: $15 (Children under 12 years are free but must be accompanied by an adult.) Presenter: Audrey Quanrud Registration deadline: March 3, 2014 A Franciscan Easter Explore the mystery and meaning of Lent and Easter through the eyes of Clare and Francis of Assisi. We will use drama and story, food and feasting, and flowering bulbs to recall important events in the Gospel and their meaning for us today. This will be a fun and interactive morning for the entire family. March 27 Tueday, 9-4 p.m. Investment: $30 includes lunch and room/day Presenters: FSC Staff Registration deadline: March 17, 2014 Franciscan Day of Solitude: Lent Franciscan Days of Solitude are regular pauses in the busy rhythm of life for rest, reflection and renewal of your spiritual life. This Lent, we invite you to come to the FSC for a day of silence and solitude. Visit the chapel, pray and rest in your bedroom, or take a walk on the grounds. We begin and end the day with prayer together. PAGE 6 FRANCISCAN SPIRITUALITY CENTER

9 MARCH & APRIL March 28 & 29 Friday, 7-9 p.m. and Saturday, 9-4 p.m. Investment: $95 includes lunch on Saturday Bedrooms are available for $42/night Retreat Director: FSC Staff Registration deadline: March 14, 2014 Serenity Retreat: Resting in quiet hope When we came to believe, we hoped. Believing in a power outside of ourselves, we get a glimpse of our new life. With each step we take we find traces of this hope-filled life. No matter where you are in our journey, this retreat will awaken you to the solid grounding that hope brings. We ll explore the transformation of struggles into processes of hope. We ll create sacred images that will invite you forward to a future that comes as gift. This is a closed retreat for those recovering from alcoholism or chemical dependency. Financial assistance is available from The Norman L. Gillette, Sr. Scholarship fund. March 30-April 5 Sunday, 6:30 p.m. through Saturday, Noon Investment: Full $375 includes retreat, meals and bedroom; Commuter: $225 retreat only Retreat Director: Tom Speier, OFM Registration deadline: February 28, 2014 The Francis you don t know During this retreat, let Francis life speak to you. Walk in prayer through the pages of his history and embrace the Francis you just might not know. It was through Francis struggles, not in spite of them, that he grew so close to Jesus. The Lord helped him to finally let go and entrust his dream to his fellow brothers and sisters. April Thursday through Saturday, 9:20 a.m. each day Investment: Full $62 includes retreat meals and bedroom; Commuter: $30 retreat only Retreat Director: Jolynn Brehm, FSPA Registration deadline: March 17, 2014 Triduum Retreat: Entering the heart of Jesus Reflect on God s great love as we journey into the heart of Jesus during Holy Week and move from darkness to light. These timeless Scripture stories will give us a glimpse into the extravagant love of Jesus in the days leading up to his Resurrection. Opportunities for conversation and sharing may reveal blessed connections of God s love in our own lives. Join us each morning during Holy Week for a brief 30-minute retreat to reflect and ponder the events of the Holy Triduum. April 12 Saturday, 9-3 p.m. Investment: $45 includes lunch Presenter: Barb Kruse Registration deadline: April 1, 2014 Compassionate Communication Compassionate communication offers a way of communicating that centers our attention on what is most human about us. With a focus on true honesty and empathic listening, compassionate communication guides us in how we express ourselves and hear others. In this session you will: Learn to pay attention to how you listen. Explore the gift of your emotions and how they communicate what is alive in you. Discover how some core beliefs can be obstacles to communication. Tap into the beauty of your values and needs. April 18 Friday, 10 a.m. Investment: Free and open to the public. Meet in front of the St. Rose sign on the corner of Market Street and Franciscan Way Presenters: FSC Staff Like us on Facebook for more information about these upcoming programs and events. Social Justice Stations of the Cross An annual tradition, the Social Justice Stations of the Cross is a silent prayer walk from the heart of La Crosse to the river. Along the way we stop to pray and sing at places that represent suffering in our community and world today. The 2-mile walk recalls the journey of Jesus along the Way of Suffering as he carried his cross to Calvary. Adults, students and families are all welcome to experience this special Good Friday event. Please dress according to the weather MARCH/APRIL AT THE CENTER PAGE 7

10 2014 Series Offerings SERIES NEW SERIES! Meeting Jesus in Lent March 6, 13, 20, 27; April 3 & 10 Thursdays, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Registration deadline: February 26, 2014 Investment: $10 each or $45/series Presenter: John McHugh How do the stories of Jesus that are proclaimed in Lent speak to our lives today? Each week John McHugh will break open the Gospel for the coming Sunday in a way that will help you encounter Jesus more deeply this Lent. John weaves a deep knowledge of the scriptures with powerful personal stories to make the Lenten Gospels come alive for his listeners. Awakening to Spirituality March 25, April 22 & May 6 Tuesdays, 5:30-6:45 p.m. Investment: $25 for the full series or $10 per session Presenter: Amy Taylor, FSPA Awakening to Announcements March 25 Registration deadline: March 17, 2014 Everyone receives announcements in their lives. Some announcements are joy-filled, some are challenging, and we do not even pay attention to some. Come and join the conversation as we discuss the ways in which announcements impact our spiritual journey. Awakening to Pace April 22 Registration deadline: April 14, 2014 The speed of living is increasing every day. We are encouraged to multi-task most of our waking hours, choosing to slow down to observe is countercultural. Come and join the conversation as we discuss how a spiritual journey unfolds over time and requires our full attention. Awakening to Attention May 6 Registration deadline: April 28, 2014 Listening is an important part of the spiritual journey; sometimes we listen to others more than we listen to our own hearts. Come and join the conversation as we discuss the ways in which we can become more attentive to the inner voice of our heart. FINAL SESSION A path for transformation The Enneagram and Your Spiritual Path February 28-March 1 Friday, 7-9 p.m. and Saturday, 9-4 p.m. Registration deadline: February 21, 2014 Investment: $95/session, includes lunch on Saturday. Bedrooms are available for $42/night. Presenters: Rosalie Hooper Thomas and Marci Madary, FSPA Affiliates In exploring our personality characteristics we gain a greater awareness of our motivations, behaviors and understanding of others. While this brings peace and harmony to our daily lives, we just have part of the journey. As we set aside our ego distortions, we allow space for a deepening awareness of our true nature and the experience of the Divine Essence. This workshop focuses on the spiritual gifts of each type using exercises, meditations and practices to open you to the transformative spirit of God. FINAL SESSION Women Leaders in Scripture Phoebe and Mary: Pioneers in Ministry March 19 Wednesdays, 5:30-6:45 p.m. Investment: $10 Presenters: Barb Kruse & Audrey Quanrud From the Hebrew Scriptures through the earliest days of Christianity, women stepped forward to lead because of their faith. They differ in their leadership styles and the circumstances of their lives, but in each case they are women who risked boldly. Each of us is called to lead; in these women, perhaps you will find inspiration. Come hear their stories and reflect on the ways their lives may touch our lives. In this session we will consider the leadership traits of women called to ministry through the witness of two women leaders in the early Christian church, Phoebe and Mary (mother of John Mark). PAGE 8 FRANCISCAN SPIRITUALITY CENTER

11 Spiritual Direction Two spiritual directors share why they chose to enroll in this program at Franciscan Spirituality Center and their appreciation for participating: Gail Schultz has her own spiritual direction practice located half-way between Wisconsin Dells and Wisconsin Rapids. Before I began SDPP, I was expecting that I would learn techniques and skills to help me become a spiritual director over the three year program. Other programs I investigated were much shorter, and the temptation was there to choose a program that allowed me to finish more quickly and start my spiritual direction practice. SDPP became a spiritual journey for me. I learned to be less controlling while developing a greater sense of self. I gained confidence in my gifts, and the ability to relate to others in my life with more respect and love. Preparation PROGRAM Application deadline: June 30, 2014 I felt very well-prepared (but still nervous!) when I began my spiritual direction practice. Between the regular meetings with my supervisor, weekends of learning-practice-prayer, assigned texts and written work, excellent speakers, internships and practicums, and the support of my classmates as we learned from each other, SDPP provided a solid foundation to follow your heart to companion others in recognizing the sacredness of their lives. For more information visit It s normal to have a lot of questions when thinking about becoming a spiritual director. Becoming a spiritual director is a huge decision. Being present to others while they share their soul is a sacred offering that is filled with great responsibility. Marcia Bentley has her own spiritual direction practice, Inner Works Madison, in Madison, Wis. Francis is a favorite historic, religious figure of mine. His colorful early life of privilege transformed into a deeply devoted, committed and For many, enrolling in a spiritual direction program is a path to passionate life as he listened to the calling in his heart. The Franciscan deepen your spirituality and prayer life. For others, it is because spirit permeates everything at the Franciscan Spirituality Center. As of a desire to be present to those searching for meaning in their soon as you step inside you leave behind the world s chaotic busyness and life or a way to develop skills in compassionate listening. Spiritual St. enter into an atmosphere of peace, kindness, compassion, simplicity, and directors don t give people answers to their most sacred questions, respect for the individual and reverence for all creation. they invite them to go deeper to reflect how God is present in their life. What a gift! The program is designed to encourage learning and transformation on many levels. The deep immersion of the weekend workshops offered rich Co-directors: wisdom, knowledge and strong connections with my fellow students. The Barb Kruse: / bkruse@fspa.org individual supervision, and the reading choices, honors the specific gifts Linda Kerrigan: / lkerrigan@fspa.org and unique learning processes of each student. This is a beautiful, rich For more information visit FSCenter.org. and deeply moving program and I highly recommend. it MARCH/APRIL AT THE CENTER PAGE 9

12 body, mind & spirit Tai Chi Session Two: Mondays, February 17 & 24, March 3, 10, 17 & 24 Time: 12:15-1p.m. Investment: $36/6 classes Presenter: Bernice Olson-Pollack Tai Chi is an ancient discipline that involves both standing and balancing positions. The positions replicate the activities of everyday life, providing mindful attention to how they are expressed with the body. The slow meditative patterns of movement awaken energy, align the body, and improve balance and breathing. Vinyasa Yoga Session Two: Mondays, February 17 & 24; March 3, 10, 17 & 24 Wednesdays, February 19 & 26; March 5, 12, 19 & 26 Time: 5:30-6:30 p.m. Investment: $48/6 classes, register for Monday & Wednesday: $86/12 classes Presenter: Bernice Olson-Pollack Vinyasa yoga has been practiced for thousands of years for its health benefits. These include mental focus, balance and flexibility, relaxation and stress relief. Wednesday sessions will also include strength training. Golden Yoga Session Two: Tuesdays, February 18, 25; March 4, 11, 18 & 25 (Limited to 20) Thursdays, February 20, 27; March 6, 13, 20 & 27 (Limited to 12) Time: 11:15-Noon Investment: $36/6 classes, register for Tuesday & Thursday: $65/12 classes Presenter: Bernice Olson-Pollack On Tuesdays, traditional yoga poses are modified with the use of a chair so that participants do not need to get on the floor. Thursday participants should feel comfortable getting down on the floor. Bring a yoga or exercise mat that is at least ¼ - ½ thick. Both sessions provide a safe approach to improved flexibility, strength and balance. Bernice Olson-Pollack is a staff member of the Wellness Center at St. Rose Convent. She holds a masters in counseling and has years of hands-on experience in life coaching, personal training and yoga instruction. She is a registered Yogafit instructor and a certified personal trainer with the American Council on Exercise. S P I R I T U A L D I R E C T I O N Compassionate Listening Sometimes you just need someone to listen as you work through the complexities of life. The process of sharing your story and opening up to the conversations in your heart with a trusted confidante, or a spiritual director, offers a deeper self-awareness and understanding of your relationship with others, including God. Schedule your first one-hour appointment with a spiritual director by calling the FSC at Scholarships are available for your first visit. What is Spiritual Direction? Spiritual direction is the powerful gift of compassionate listening. We have four trained and experienced spiritual directors on staff to meet with you whenever you are ready. When you feel the need or desire to share your sacred stories with someone who will listen intently and patiently to your words and feelings, without judgment and with love, we are here. Spiritual directors won t give you solutions, advice or answers, but rather invite you to go deeper into your life story. This compassionate listening can provide immeasurable healing and spiritual growth. We are here for you. Our Spiritual Directors Linda Kerrigan, FSPA Affiliate lkerrigan@fspa.org Barb Kruse bkruse@fspa.org Rosalie Hooper Thomas, FSPA Affiliate rthomas@fspa.org Steve Spilde sspilde@fspa.org PAGE 10 FRANCISCAN SPIRITUALITY CENTER

13 OUR CENTER New Spiritual Space Have you been to the FSC lately? You ll be happy to know that the dust and commotion has cleared and these newly remodeled rooms have emerged. The Rose Room is a community spiritual gathering room. Enjoy this space with others in group spiritual direction or an impromptu meeting to connect and converse with friends and acquaintances at the FSC. If you d like to reserve this space, we appreciate advance reservations for your group or organization. Clare s Upper Room is a private meditation and prayer room for our guests. Enjoy the privacy of this space to sit, reflect and center yourself in prayer, alone or with your spiritual director. This room will have an open door policy, but please be mindful of others Clare s Upper Room who might desire to take a break from their day to sit in stillness and solitude. The Rose Room OTHER ACCOMMODATIONS In addition, the Grace Hall renovation project is now complete. This long, narrow room was formerly filled with theater seating, today it has become an open, spacious space nestled between our beloved Emmaus and San Damiano meeting rooms. This space is available for meeting reservations and has capacity to accommodate up to 30 individuals. Sister Linda Mershon will bless this room with a dedication at 2 p.m. on February 13. Bedrooms Our bedrooms have either private or shared bathrooms, a twin or full bed, easy chair, a desk and a chair. Bath and bed linens are provided. Meals can be arranged. Consider staying overnight for only $42. Hermitages Our hermitages are a one-room cabin in a rural setting. They are fully modern with electric heat and fireplace. They have a small stove and refrigerator, microwave, twin bed, easy chair, and small table and chair. You bring your own food to prepare your own meals. Bath and bed linens are provided. Schedule your own private retreat for $50/night. Reflections from the Center Reflections from the Center is a collection of peaceful prayer meditations from voices in our community that are ed out to subscribers every Monday morning. To receive these weekly reflections, please join our list by clicking Join Our List on our website, or Emily at estrickler@fspa.org. To learn more or to read past reflections, visit MARCH/APRIL AT THE CENTER PAGE 11

14 NEW STAFF MEMBERS Welcome new staff VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT Our helping hands Laurie Swan - Office Manager Laurie joined the staff at the Franciscan Spirituality Center in January 2014 as the office manager. Originally from Bangor, Wis. she grew up in a large family, the youngest of 12 children. She graduated from Western Technical College with a degree in Administrative Assistant in Laurie has lived in La Crosse since 1992 raising her two children, Zach and Anna. For the past three years, Laurie worked for the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration as the executive secretary for their leadership team. She is an FSPA Affiliate inprocess and enjoys volunteering at St. Clare s Health Mission in her free time. Laurie has a wide network of friends and family that keep her busy and active. She enjoys league volleyball during the winter months and golf during the summer. Liz Brunner - Hospitality Coordinator Originally from New Glarus, Wis., Liz graduated from UW-La Crosse with degrees in European History and Spanish in May, During her studies, she interned in Washington D.C. at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and the Smithsonian American Art and National Portrait Gallery. Her work experience at Kwik Trip for the past four years helped her gain a deeper understanding of customer service and leadership. Today she works part-time at the LaCrosse Public Main Library as a circulation assistant. At the FSC, Liz is responsible for insuring that all of our guests experience Franciscan hospitality by preparing and setting up the programs, ordering supplies and coordinating the Sophia Bookstore. In her free time she enjoys running, biking, snowshoeing, reading and watching Netflix; and dreams of traveling to Europe. Kate Parker joins the list of active volunteers who help us manage the front desk when we need the added support outside of business hours. Like all of our volunteers, Kate will greet our guests as they come into the Center, answer the phone and help with any questions regarding our offerings and services. We invite you to consider volunteering at the FSC. Kate, and husband Justin, moved to La Crosse this past fall from Pennsylvania where she was an editorial associate at Bucknell University, her alma mater. Kate received her doctorate degree from Washington University in St. Louis, Mo. and is currently an English professor at UW- La Crosse. Together they have two children, Eliot and Alton, and are FSPA Affiliates in-process. She hopes to learn more about the community through service and wants to do her small part to help and encourage others to grow in peace and happiness. We are grateful for her time, energy and enthusiasm to be a part of our volunteer family! HYGIENE FOR HOMELESS Last year, over 100 children in the La Crosse School District were homeless. Those who are homeless are rarely given basic hygiene supplies needed for health and confidence. The Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, and their Affiliates, are asking for your help in responding to the needs of local individuals and families who are homeless and in need of basic personal care items. Items in need are: Baby wipes, talcum powder, diaper rash ointment, diapers (all sizes), baby shampoo, comb/brushes, deodorant, razors, shaving cream, bar soap or body wash, Kleenex, shampoo/conditioner, feminine products, manicure sets, raincoats/ponchos, socks, towels and washcloths, and diaper bags. Thank you for your kind and compassionate donation! Please give generously. Questions? Call Drop off your donations in the collection bin at: Franciscan Spirituality Center 920 Market Street La Crosse, WI FRANCISCAN SPIRITUALITY CENTER Board of Directors Dorothy Lenard, Chairperson John McHugh, Vice Chairperson Rita Feeney, FSPA, Secretary/Treasurer Rose Elsbernd, FSPA, FSPA Liaison Emilio Alvarez Blake Auler-Murphy Karen Dunn Ken Ford Mike Hesch Laurice Heybl, FSPA Hannah Hoaglund Ellen Rasmussen Patricia Boge Joan Weisenbeck, FSPA Mike Woods Tony Yang PAGE 12 FRANCISCAN SPIRITUALITY CENTER

15 IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Registration Process Please visit the Franciscan Spirituality Center s website at to register for each session. We accept PayPal for all online registrations and require payment in full at the time of registration. If you would like to pay in installments or register by phone, please call or by at FSCenter@fspa.org. We accept credit cards, personal checks and cash for all registrations not completed online. Payment must be paid in full prior to the start of the program to be a confirmed participant. Refund Policy Some of our events require a non-refundable registration fee; the balance will be refunded to you if you cancel prior to the event start time. Registration Deadlines Many programs/retreats now have a registration deadline. This will help us make important decisions regarding the status of the program/retreat. Many programs fill quickly; early registration is recommended to guarantee placement. Prompt registration also helps reduce the possibility that a program or retreat might be cancelled due to insufficient enrollment, an issue that inconveniences participants and presenters. Scholarship Information In the spirit of Francis and Clare, we honor and respect everyone in their search of spiritual healing, growth and renewal and will not turn anyone away because of inability to pay. Our scholarships are based on need and on the type of program or retreat. We give scholarships to anyone who asks for financial assistance for spiritual direction and partial scholarships for programs or retreats. Please contact us for more detailed information about scholarships and payment options for specific retreats and programs. We do not offer scholarships for bedrooms or hermitages. Contact us at or by at FSCenter@fspa.org, or visit us online at for more information. M E E T I N G R O O M S The Franciscan Spirituality Center offers a wide variety of rooms to fit the needs of your meeting, retreat and training sessions. We offer five meeting rooms to accommodate groups from 2-72 participants. Each room is bright, attractive, comfortable, quiet and can be tailored to meet the needs of your group. In addition, we provide a wide range of audio/ visual equipment for no additional charge. Refreshments and catering are also available. Call or FSCenter@fspa.org to reserve a room today for your group s next meeting. Sophia Bookstore Tucked away inside the Franciscan Spirituality Center, the Sophia Bookstore is a treasure waiting for your discovery. Full of books, scarves and interesting gifts, it is a wonderful, quiet place to sit and enjoy the quiet buzz of life and energy inside. The room has three tables, free wi-fi and complimentary coffee. Open Monday-Friday from 8-5 p.m. Please stop by to browse! Where to find us Franciscan Spirituality Center is just west of Mayo Clinic Health System-Franciscan Healthcare and one block north of Viterbo University at 920 Market Street. The Franciscan Spirituality Center shares the building with St. Rose Convent. Fra nc i scan Spirituality Center Franciscan Day of Solitude Reflect and Pray in Silence for Lent Thursday, March 27 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Seek out this sacred place of solitude and commune with God in silence. Solitude Ridge Hermitages Three individual hermitages are built on the edge of a woodland and provide the peace and quiet of a rural setting. These small buildings were designed to provide a space for the silence and solitude necessary for a deeper experience with God. Hermitages are $50 per night. or call the FSC to make your reservations today. Telephone: Telephone: FSCenter@fspa.org On the web: MARCH/APRIL AT THE CENTER PAGE 13

16 Fra nc i scan Spirituality Center FSPA 912 Market Street La Crosse, WI Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID La Crosse, WI Permit No. 535 C O M I N G S O O N I N M A Y & J U N E Icon Writing: Resurrection May with Phil Zimmerman Cultivating Consciousness: The Gift of Food June 21 with Vicki Lopez-Kaley Opening Doors to the Unexpected May 2-3 with Paula D Arcy Awakening to Spirituality May 6 with Amy Taylor, FSPA Yoga Retreat: Connecting Heart & Soul June with Heather Henry Franciscan Day of Solitude: Midsummer June 16 Follow us on : The Franciscan Spirituality Center is a sponsored ministry of the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration.