of Assisi Cultivate the Mood to Linger

Transcription

1 September - December 2017 The Essence of Assisi Cultivate the Mood to Linger Vol. 09, No. 01 Assisi Heights Spirituality Center Rochester, MN th Street NW

2 Welcome Making Room for God! Desperately unassuming, there is an inner instinct foraging for an empty space in the heart of the human soul. It waits and does not give up searching. We are seafarers setting out to befriend the deep emptiness charting a course surveying the obstacles eyeing the horizon gazing into starry skies. WE are the scavengers searching for a resting place a silent place an empty place the right place God s place. We are sifters of sand filling the hour glass with restless times fruitful times holy times God s time. We pursue the deep emptiness knowing there is no place but in God there is no time but with God there is no answer outside of God there is only God. Sister Marlys Jax Program Coordinator Assisi Heights Spirituality Center Marcia Lunz, OSF, St. Francis, Wisconsin THE INTIMATE NEARNESS OF GOD Leadership Conference of Women Religious. Reprinted with permission. The Assisi Heights Spirituality Center offers a myriad of opportunities to Make Room for God! 2

3 Our Mission The Assisi Heights Spirituality Center (AHSC) offers spiritual and educational programs which reflect the mission of the Sisters of Saint Francis to be a compassionate presence for peace in our world, striving for justice and reverence for all creation by providing a place of hope, prayer, reflection and enrichment. AHSC is located in beautiful Assisi Heights, home of the Sisters of Saint Francis. Assisi Heights Spirituality Center provides a sacred space for individuals or groups. We are open to all faith traditions. Come, withdraw from the cares, concerns and responsibilities of ordinary life to find quiet, rejuvenation and peace. We are here to serve you! Assisi Heights Spirituality Center is available for use by groups or organizations looking for a reflective space conducive for meetings, retreats and seminars. Host your next meeting or event here! Comfortable theater or classroom seating for up to 200 Space may be reserved for half-day, full-day or multi-day events Use of Assisi Heights catering is required for any food services Built-in computer and LCD projection equipment available for a small fee Call or ahsc@rochesterfranciscan.org for available dates and rates. 3

4 Calendar at a Glance September 2017 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday What is a Cojourner pg Book Folding 101 pg. 8 Assisi Heights Art Tour pg Cemetery Walk pg A Slice of Life - Why God? pg Untouchable pg Visio Divina pg Mindfulness pg Walking Pilgrimage pg. 12 Stories in Stone pg Cemetery Walk Alternate Date pg Saint Marys Hospital pg Stories in Stone pg The Day the World Came to Town pg. 13 Sacred the Land, Sacred the Earth pg Visio Divina pg. 11 Assisi Heights Art Tour pg. 9

5 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 - Blessing of Animals pg Assisi Heights Art Tour pg This Changes Everything: Film pg Francis and Clare: Film pg. 14 Stories in Stone pg This is a Soul: Book Discussion pg. 16 Muslims and Christians in Dialogue pg. 17 October Yoga : 6-session Series pg. 17 Francis and Clare: Film pg The Day the World Came to Town pg Beginning Experience pg Finding Our True Refuge pg Sacred the Land, Sacred the Earth pg Your Vigil Story pg Beginning T ai Chi Chih: 8-session Series pg. 18 Continuing T ai Chi Chih 8-session Series pg Continuing T ai Chi Chih 8-session Series pg Journey of Peace pg Journey of Gratitude pg Muslins and Christians in Dialogue pg A Walk on the Camino de Santiago pg The Day the World Came to Town pg. 13 San Lucas Toliman pg Quilting for the Soul pg Integrating Mandalas pg

6 November 2017 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Photojournalist s Spiritual Diary pg The Sound of Bowls pg When Retirement Comes pg Operetta! pg Muslims and Christians in Dialogue pg Hanna Hughes pg Simplifying Your Life pg The World Will Be Saved by Beauty pg Angelina of Marsciano pg

7 December 2017 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Christmas on the Hill pg Advent: A Time of Expectant Waiting pg Christmas Tea pg The Death of Innocents: Book Discussion pg

8 What is a Cojourner? September 13, 6:30-8:00pm No charge to attend. Cojourner is the name given to a person committed to being associated with the Sisters of Saint Francis, Rochester, MN. Cojourners are men and women from various occupations and faith traditions who are interested in the Franciscan spirit and who desire to join in the prayer, life, and mission of the Sisters. Cojourners work together with the Sisters building relationships and pursuing projects for the common good! A panel of Rochester area Cojourners and Sisters will explain what it means to co-journ. They will share the nearly 35-year history of how cojourning got started; discuss their own experiences, and how they collaborate on common issues and special projects. Book Folding 101 September 16, 9:00-11:00am $10 preregistered/prepaid. $15 at the door. Do you have old hardcover books on the shelf and don t know what to do with them? If so, find a centimeter ruler and a pencil, and you will have the tools you need to get started book folding. It is easy and the results are beautiful. Select two books of at least 100 pages and be prepared to turn them into a work of art! Bring your ruler, pencil and books to the session. Rita Brom, OSF, is an artist with many talents. She is an accomplished watercolor artist, graphic designer, wood carver, gardener, naturalist, tailor, garden chef, teacher and much more! Her enthusiasm will keep you going! 8

9 Assisi Heights Art Tour Option 1 - September 16, 1:30-2:30pm Option 2 - September 30, 1:30-2:30pm Option 3 - October 2, 6:30-7:30pm $10 preregistered/prepaid. $15 at the door. Visit Assisi Heights Halls of Franciscan Artistry. Our tour begins with highlighting artwork in various mediums including oil, watercolor, pottery, fabric art, and iconography. Along the way, we will see needlepoint, calligraphy, photography, and copper enameling. The collection highlights 140 years of artistic creativity! Marlys Jax, OSF, will lead this walkabout in the halls of Assisi Heights with stories and tales of the artists. You will meet some of the artists in person. Cemetery Walk - Meet the Founding Women of Mayo September 17, 2:00-4:00pm Alternate weather date: September 24, 2:00-4:00pm $10 preregistered/prepaid. $15 on site. Join us for a walk at Oakwood Cemetery, where over twenty women involved in founding Mayo Clinic are buried. These physicians, nurses, librarians, secretaries, wives and mothers were instrumental from the day of the tornado in 1883 to the days of World War II. You will receive a map of the grave sites, meet several of the women (portrayed by local actors), and hear their stories firsthand. The narratives are based on the recently published book: Women of Mayo Clinic: The Founding Generation. Author Virginia Wright- Peterson will provide an introduction and be available for discussion and questions. Please meet at the Oakwood Cemetery Chapel: 38 7th Avenue NE, Rochester, MN

10 A Slice of Life! A Slice of Life is a series defined as that sliver or wedge that brought growth, or added dimension to one s everyday experiences. The incident, episode or trial brings wisdom and maturity to life learning. Maggie is now a Rochester resident and student at Mayo Medical School. Her faith journey is recorded in a book by the same title which was co-authored by her grandfather. Next in the series: November 8: Winter Olympics on the Horizon? See page 24. A Slice of Life! Why, God? Suffering Through Cancer into Faith September 18, 6:30-8:00pm $10 preregistered/prepaid. $15 at the door. Maggie Carlisle Cupit-Link found herself simultaneously a student research intern and a patient at St. Jude s Children s Hospital. In the midst of her study, she discovered she had to fight a lifethreatening form of pediatric cancer, suffering throughout the year with aggressive chemotherapy and surgery. Some suggested to her that it was the will of God. She declined to take on that thought. Instead, she found comfort in journaling and engaged her grandfather in conversation regarding her anger, and seemingly dashed hopes. Her grandfather, Edward Hendrickson, a university professor specializing in philosophy of religion, was an able listener. With his support, she was able to endure, and eventually found her spiritual core in the divine; although not in the way she expected! 10 Untouchable: Documentary Film September 19, 6:30-8:30pm Donations appreciated Untouchable interweaves the intimate portraits of men and women who have been branded as sex offenders, with heartbreaking stories of those who have suffered abuse. This award-winning documentary film pushes viewers to an uncomfortable place; requiring them to walk in the shoes of those who have survived sexual abuse, but to still bear witness to the experience of offenders who are reviled by society. Untouchable does what documentaries intend to do: it presents a complicated issue in all its complexity with compelling interviews of subjects who humanize the stakes at hand. The film will be followed by discussion. For more information: mnsorp5@gmail.com. Following the film, a question and answer session will be led by Mark Ostrem, Olmsted County Attorney; Kevin Nelson, Dept. of Corrections Circle of Support and Chair of Minnesota Sex Offenders Re-entry Project; and Robyn Wood, Dodge/Fillmore/ Olmsted County Community Corrections Probation Officer.

11 Visio Divina Option 1 - September 20, 9:00-11:00am Option 2 - September 30, 9:30-11:30am $10 preregistered/prepaid. $15 at the door. Visio Divina (Latin for divine seeing ) is a method of praying with images or pictures. Images are an important way of communicating with God in this visuallyoriented culture. Stained glass windows and wall depictions of scriptural stories were used for teaching in earlier times. It bids you to see deeper beyond the cursory glance. It invites you to gaze beyond your initial impression. It draws you in to be seen by God, called, surprised and transformed. Join us! This may just be your type of prayer. Marlys Jax, OSF, is the program coordinator for the Spirituality Center. She has many years of experience and study in art, prayer and spirituality. Mindfulness: An Invitation to the Journey September 21, 6:00pm thru September 24, 11:00am $250 preregistered/prepaid, includes lodging and all meals. No registrations at the door. The path to mindfulness is truly simple, but not easy! It is simple because it does not involve acquiring and accumulating or achieving. It is about being genuine. It is about practicing stillness to really see what is in front of you in life. From that clarity, you are able to embrace life and make necessary decisions. When you see more clearly, you give up what isn t useful, instead of acquiring things with the idea of going somewhere or achieving something. Some people spend too much time searching and create too many rules; always looking for specific methods, which prevents them from understanding what is really important in life. This program is all about simplicity and silence creating the conditions for meaningful presence in the moment (mindfulness). It is about deep listening, embracing vulnerability and living more boldly. Roberto Benzo, MD, leads research and clinical programs with Mindfulness in Chronic Disease at Mayo Clinic. 11

12 Walking Pilgrimage to Sacred Sites at Assisi Heights September 23, 9:30-11:30am $10 preregistered/prepaid. $15 at the door. No airline tickets needed. No baggage needed, only a walking stick! A Spiritual GPS will allow you to experience vicariously the places the world made holy. Beginning at the Peace Pole, we will visit Assisi and Padua, Italy; Lourdes, France; Beauraing, Belgium; Avila, Spain; and Mexico City in the western hemisphere. Walking through the Cathedral of Nature, while praying for personal and world needs, is the goal of this two-hour religious experience. Wear walking shoes! A team of spiritual guides will lead the way. Stories in Stone An Architectural Tour September 23, 1:30-2:30pm, or September 27, 6:30-7:30pm, or October 5, 6:30-7:30pm $10 pre-registered/pre-paid. $15 at the door. Come up close at Assisi Heights to see some of the architectural features, aesthetic design aspects, and a few often overlooked artistic features. Hear the stories stored in stone. Wear walking shoes, as this is an indoor and outdoor event. Ken Allsen, is an architectural historian residing in Rochester. 12 Saint Marys Hospital: , An Architectural History Option 1 - September 25, 2:30-4:00pm Option 2 - September 25, 6:30-8:00pm Donations appreciated Much has been written about the synergy between Mayo Clinic and Saint Marys Hospital, and the phenomenal growth of both institutions. The human story of the partnership between Mother Alfred Moes and Dr. W.W. Mayo is firmly embedded in our local lore. This presentation brings together many facts pertaining to the important architectural history of the original hospital building, and also of the major building additions, culminating with the demolition of the original building in Ken Allsen, is an architectural historian residing in Rochester. He presents regularly for the RCTC LIFE program and is the author of five books about architectural history in our region. He also volunteers at the Olmsted County History Center and in the Mayo Clinic Archives.

13 The Day the World Came To Town: Book Discussion September 28, October 12 and October 26, 6:30-8:00pm $15 preregistered/prepaid. $20 at the door. September 11, 2001, is a date emblazoned in the memory of the world, but none like the folks in Gander, Newfoundland Canada. Thirty-eight jetliners bound for the United States landed on the tarmac and were stranded for four days. Jim De Fede recounts the story of The Day the World Came to Town. The small obscure town of Gander, with a population of 10,000, grew to 17,000 overnight. Distraught passengers were welcomed with overwhelming hospitality, goodwill forming friendships that will last a lifetime. This book will help you believe that people are still good at heart, as Anne Frank would say. This is a three session series. Marcan Freking, OSF, had an extensive career in education, administration, social work and pastoral care. She is an avid reader and loves a good discussion. Sacred the Land, Sacred the Earth Option 1 - September 28, 6:30-8:00pm Option 2 - October 14, 9:30-11:00am $10 preregistered/prepaid. $15 at the door. Explore the topography of Assisi Heights 110 acres, which is held sacred and preserved through the implementation of the Franciscan values of: caring for the soil; respecting and living in harmony with the wildlife; offering compassion for those who seek solace and peace; walking the pathways and offering healing programs to cultivate personal renewal. Learn the stewardship practices that manage and sustain this piece of earth entrusted to our community. Wear walking shoes! Marlys Jax, OSF, program coordinator for the Spirituality Center, will guide this expedition, detailing the history and practices of Assisi Heights environmental programs. 13

14 Francis and Clare: Film Part 1 - October 5, 2:00-4:00pm or 6:00-8:00pm Part 2 - October 11, 2:00-4:00pm or 6:30-8:00pm Donations appreciated Blessing of the Animals October 1, 1:30-3:00pm Donations appreciated A Festival of Animals! Come join other animal lovers to celebrate the special grace that pets bring to our lives. Come feathered, furry or finned! Whether your paws are padded, hoofed or webbed all are welcome! The honored guest this year is a service dog named Milo, and his constant companion, Sharon French. Learn the many functions service dogs perform for a person with disabilities. Together, Francis and Clare have inspired countless others to embrace the radical Gospel of Life. Pope Francis brought the person, the message and the challenge, particularly of Saint Francis, into new prominence. This epic feature film was produced in many of the actual locations in Italy associated with Francis and Clare. It explores the lives, the times, and the meaning of these two historic figures. The historical accuracy of the film affirms, in a refreshing way, the significant contribution of Clare, who is too often obscured in the early formation of the Franciscan movement. Arrive with your Top Dog or the Purrfect Feline and you will leave with your tail waggin friend and a blessed attitude. All are winners of a genuine blessing at Assisi s Best in Show! 14

15 Beginning Experience October 6-8, 2017 Beginning Experience (BE) is a weekend live-in experience for persons who have suffered a loss through death, divorce or separation. These are traumatic experiences! This program is designed to move grieving people through a transformational process with loss, anger, bitterness and loneliness to a new beginning in their lives. Facilitated by the Beginning Experience Trained Staff. Please visit the Beginning Experience website at for more information and registration. Meditation Every Tuesday and Thursday through the months of September - December Tuesday: 7:00-7:45am and 5:15-6:00pm Thursday: 7:00-7:45am Donations appreciated Meditation is a practice of quieting the mind to bring forth clarity and positivity while cultivation compassion, forgiveness and love. The practice nourishes and deepens calm, a natural sense of balance, peacefulness and connectedness to your spiritual tradition. It has been shown to reduce anxiety, stress and lower blood pressure. Cathy Ashton will be leading a short guided meditation followed by silence. A bell will ring every 15 minutes allowing you to enter or exit as needed. All spiritual paths welcome. Finding Our True Refuge October 7, 9:00am-3:00pm $40 preregistered/prepaid, includes lunch. Are you seeking freedom from anxiety, worry, conflicts and confusion? Come to the quiet, serene environment of Assisi Heights and enter a process that Tara Brach presents in her book, True Refuge. Sister Linda Wieser will lead participants to find that peace that is beyond all understanding through the format of meditation/prayer, input and individual process time. This retreat will be for everyone seeking peace, regardless of religious affiliation. Ego says, Once everything falls into place, I ll feel peace. Spirit says, Find your peace and then everything will fall into place. - Marianne Williams Linda Wieser, OSF, has spent over 30 years teaching meditation and forgiveness, and offering spiritual direction. She is an Integrative Healing Therapist, Certified Life Coach and works at Riverseasons, LLC in Rochester, MN. 15

16 This Changes Everything: Film October 9, 2:00-3:30pm Donations appreciated This Changes Everything, a film by Avi Lewis, presents seven mighty portraits of communities on the front lines of climate change. From Montana s Powder River Basin to the Alberta Tar Sands and from South India to China, it is based on Naomi Klein s nonfiction best-seller by the same name. This film explores the greatest challenge of our times, which was made more controversial with recent environmental decisions. The premise is that we can seize the existential crisis of climate change to transform our failed economic system into something radically better. The film is not frightening or intimidating, but provocative and empowering. Will this film change everything? Certainly not. However, YOU could affect change by answering its call to action. 16 This is a Soul: The Mission of Rick Hodes: Book Discussion October 10, 11:30am-1:00pm $12 preregistered/prepaid, includes light lunch. No registrations at the door. This remarkable story, by Marilyn Berger, outlines the career path of Rick Hodes, whose mission in life was to help those most in need. That led him to medical school and ultimately to Africa. Famines, genocide and caring for the sickest and poorest on the planet, took him in Addis Abba, Ethiopia with a stop in Rwanda. He is still there, and is considered a savior by the saved. This book outlines how one person can change the lives of the destitute with even a limited amount of medical equipment. Claren Sellner, OSF and Joanne Kellen will facilitate the discussion, delving into the author s intent, while discovering the group s interpretation. Sister Claren is a frequent library visitor and loves to comb the minds of other readers searching to find the authors intent. Joanne is a retired nurse and avid reader, with a passion for Rick Hodes mission.

17 Standing Together Series Muslims and Christians in Dialogue October 10, 24 and November 7, 6:30-8:30pm This three-session series of Standing Together will bring together Muslims and Christians to learn about each other s faith and traditions. Observing basic guidelines for Interfaith Dialogue, participants will address: 1. Core Beliefs of Christianity and Islam on October 10; 2. Foundational Practices of Islam and Christianity on October 24; and 3. Prayer and Ritual in Christianity and Islam on November 7. A second three-session series will be offered in Winter/Spring of Rana Mikati, a Muslim, and Father Jim Kunz, a Christian, will facilitate the discussion. The Peaceful Path of Yoga: Deeping Your Practice October 11, 18, 25, November 1, 8, and 15, 9:30-10:30am $50 preregistered/prepaid. $60 at the door. Most of us see yoga as a way to improve strength, flexibility and balance. Yogasutra, the ancient source book for the deep study of yoga, tells us that our true yoga begins in our relationships with others (the yamas) and with ourselves (the niyamas). In this class, we will combine a gentle yoga practice with reflection and meditation on these core yogic principles, which nourish a more peaceful life. This six-week class is suitable for adult beginners as well as those experienced in yoga who wish to deepen their yoga practice with this exploration of yogic philosophy. Please bring your own yoga mat. This is a six-session series. Patricia Barrier is a registered yoga teacher (RYT500) and is currently pursuing advanced studies as a Yoga Therapist. She teaches gentle and adaptive yoga, beginner yoga and vinyasa flow classes at public and private venues in the local area. 17

18 Your Vigil Story October 16, 6:30-8:30pm $10 preregistered/prepaid. $15 at the door. Have you ever sat with someone who is dying a friend, parent, sibling or child? What was it like? How did you feel? What did you appreciate most? What would you rather not have to do again? Come share your stories and share in the stories of others. For many years, Mary E. Johnson worked in end-of life settings as a spiritual care provider. She witnessed many bedside vigils. For the past six years, she has been interviewing people about their vigil experiences and has learned about the personal and universal nature of their stories. Mary E. Johnson currently works as a Standardized Patient (actor) in the Mayo Clinic Multidisciplinary Simulation Center. She is the author and playwright of Stay With Me Awhile, a world premiere theatrical production, debuting at the Mayo Civic Theater on February 2, Beginning T ai Chi Chih October 17, 24, 31, November 7, 14, 28, December 5 and 12, 6:00-7:30pm $50 preregistered/prepaid. $55 at the door. Are you looking for calm in your daily routine? Consider circulating and balancing your inner energy of chi in the peaceful and serene space at Assisi Heights. The form is composed of nineteen easy, slow meditative movements and one pose. People around the world perform this practice for stress release. T ai Chi Chih is adaptable and it benefits persons with any physical condition or age. You may do it sitting or standing, and it requires no special dress or equipment. You will find yourself enjoying greater flexibility, better general health, serenity, and increased joy in your relationships. This is an eight-session series. Judy Trousdell is an accredited T ai Chi Chih instructor and has been practicing the form herself for years to reduce tension during her 34-year career. 18

19 Continuing T ai Chi Chih Option 1: October 17, 24, 31, November 7, 14, 28, December 5, 12, 8:45-9:45am Option 2: October 19, 26, November 2, 9, 16, 30, December 7, 14, 6:00-7:00pm $45 preregistered/prepaid. $50 at the door. Do you desire less stress in your day? Consider balancing and circulating your inner energy of chi in the tranquil atmosphere of Assisi Heights. This course continues the practice of 19 slow meditative movements and the one pose learned in the beginning class. This continual exercise brings greater flexibility to the body as it ages, better health and higher quality of well-being. T ai Chi Chih is adaptable to a variety of physical conditions and suitable to any age. Individuals may choose to practice the movements standing or sitting. It requires no special equipment or attire, only that you dress comfortably. The continuing class will work on questions of form in the initial time, followed by the full group practice session. This is an eight-session series. Judy Trousdell is an accredited T ai Chi Chih Instructor. Initially, she practiced the form herself to reduce the stress during her career and was surprised by the many health benefits she gained. Journey of Peace VIII: Weaving Compassion October 22, 2:00-4:00pm Donations appreciated The Journey of Peace is an invitation to peoples of all cultures and faiths to experience the power practicing of compassion for the sole purpose of weaving healing in our fractured world. The afternoon begins with a TED talk entitled Building Compassion: How Do We Get Compassion in the World? Realizing that we are all connected, our task is to alleviate suffering when and where we encounter it. Join us as we engage in respectful, compassionate dialogue with one another. Bring your family, friends and colleagues. 19

20 Journey of Gratitude October 23, 6:30-8:30pm $10 preregistered/prepaid. $15 at the door. In a chaotic world that for many of us seems to be filled with delays, challenges and change gratitude can be a hard concept to grasp. Exploring gratitude can work miracles in our lives, transform our negative and self-defeating thoughts, and change us by helping us to recognize the many gifts that life has to offer. This class will provide resources on how to incorporate a gratitude practice into your daily life. You will have time for reflection and journaling the gifts of gratitude you have received or those things for which you are grateful. Barb Schroeder, MS, RN, APRN, CNS, NC- BC, is a Grief Coach. She was a nurse at Mayo Clinic in Rochester for more than 40 years, helping patients with chronic illness, and their families, live with hope. international spiritual pilgrimage as her artistic practice area. She will speak to us about her ambulatory experience walking on a pilgrimage in Spain. For her project, A Walk on the Camino de Santiago, funded through a travel grant from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC), she treaded 500 miles from Southern France to northern Spain. The Camino de Santiago is one of the most important pilgrimages from the Middle Ages, for Christians searching for their sense of self in their faith, on the route to Santiago de Compostela in northwestern Spain. kyong juhn will share her personal transformation from a first generation immigrant-homemaker to a tenacious artist who expresses the complexities of rediscovered identities after returning to school. kyong juhn is a SAIC distinguished Scholar Scholarship awardee, who recently finished her Fine Arts degree at SAIC, where she studied photography and art history. A Walk on the Camino de Santiago - A Photojournalist s Spiritual Diary October 25, 6:30-8:00pm Donations appreciated kyong juhn is a photographer/walker driven by a sense of wanderlust. Her work deals with the cultural and identity issues with spiritual, social and/or political resonance, viewing domestic and 20

21 Quilting for the Soul: Pieces of Creative Expression October 27, 3:00pm thru October 29, 3:00pm $150 preregistered/prepaid, includes meals on Saturday and Sunday. San Lucas Toliman October 26, 2:30-3:30pm Donations appreciated Learn the story and impact of the Friends of San Lucas a thriving mission in Guatemala, created to carry on the legacy of Father Greg Schaffer from the Diocese of New Ulm, MN. San Lucas is as municipality of 17,000, with a blend of Mayan/Spanish cultures, which sits along the shore of Lake Atitlan (translated as place of great waters ). As you listen to the story of this ministry, you will absorb the spirit and detect the heart of the people from this area. Arch Mrkvicka served as the executive director of the Friends of San Lucas from He travelled to Guatemala twice a year, staying for several weeks each time. His goal was to alleviate suffering and dependencies in this village. The Friends of San Lucas serve as a bridge, forming relationships between those from the northern hemispheres with those in Central America, struggling in the process of poverty. $35 per night for overnight accommodations. No registrations at the door. Come together friends, both old and new, as you create patterns for life s journey in color and design. As you learn from one another, you will also have time to learn more about your creative ability in choice of pattern, color, texture, and hue. This retreat will feed your soul and spirit and you will leave refreshed for the week ahead. Please send a photo of a quilt that you have, or are now creating, with the title of the pattern to ahsc@rochesterfranciscan.org, or mail to Angie at Assisi Heights Spirituality Center. Send them at least two weeks prior to the workshop, so they can be included in one of the reflections. Diane Wrobelski and Mary Eliot Crowley, OSF, will be your hostesses and reflection guides throughout the weekend. 21

22 Integrating Mandalas, Music and Meditation - A Capstone Event October 28, 6:30-9:00pm No fee; items available for purchase. You are invited to an Artist s Reception and Capstone Event to celebrate the artistry of Sister Bernadine Jax, OSF, at Assisi Heights, Rochester, MN. The mandala is a centuries-old, circular Sanskrit symbol, serving as an anchor point from which to meditate, in order to achieve balance, personal peace and healing. Sister Bernadine s particular art form incorporates personallydesigned mandalas on vinyl records, a photo-journal, and meditative music all packaged in a take-home DVD. Sister Bernadine will be launching this art form throughout southeastern Minnesota, compliments of an art grant from the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council (SEMAC). Times, dates and locations for future classes to create your own mandalas will be forthcoming. Join us for dessert, chat with the artist, view and/ or purchase mandalas, DVD s and other creations by Sister Bernadine. Unearned Grace! A Photojournalist s Spiritual Diary November 2, 2:30-3:30pm Donations appreciated As the Post-Bulletin s outdoors writer for more than 40 years, John Weiss has shared his thoughts on the feeling of unearned grace a term that flashed into his mind when he stood atop the continental divide in Rocky Mountain National Park. There have been many other times he felt this unearned grace, including holding his granddaughter; fly fishing the Whitewater River or sitting in stillness while hunting. For him, there is a deeply spiritual side of being in the outdoors. Ever since he can remember, the outdoors has called to John Weiss. As a boy growing up in Brainerd, he loved to wander the Mississippi River lowlands just to be alone. Now a grandfather, he still loves to wander about in nature, or just sit and take it all in. Join us as he shares one man s harvest of blessings that sustains his soul. 22

23 When Retirement Comes: Re-negotiating our Purpose - Shifting from Quantity to Quality November 4, 9:00am-4:00pm The Sound of Bowls: An Evening of Calm and Clarity with Tibetan Singing Bowls November 3, 6:30-8:00pm $10 preregistered/prepaid. $15 at the door. Traditional historic singing bowls produce sounds that invoke deep states of relaxation; naturally assisting one in entering expanded states of mediation. The sound of bowls creates a deep level of communication with our inner world that opens us up to the divine. Through the vibrations of these instruments, we experience inner calm. Wear comfortable clothes and bring a yoga mat or blanket to sit or lie comfortably on the floor. Thomas Roberts, a licensed psychotherapist, teaches classes on Mind and Body Healing; Integrative Medicine; Mindfulness and Recovery; and Spirituality and Wellness. $45 preregistered/prepaid, includes lunch. No registrations at the door. Let's clear up a serious misconception right away. The word retirement implies a withdrawing or retreat, as from worldly matters or the company of others. This is what frightens us the most. To be out of contact, out of the flow, relegated to the sidelines, or become irrelevant, as the rest of the world continues with their purposeful endeavors. Nonsense! This is NOT the time to pack it in! This is a pivotal time to shift our priorities and energies from a life of quantity (career, job, education, money, accumulation of things, a life of doing, etc.) to a life of quality (depth, meaning, a life based more on being, etc.) This is the last significant developmental stage in our lives. It requires that we navigate it with the wisdom we have reaped throughout our lives. We will explore some common reservations regarding retirement and begin to write a new script, a new storyline that honors this unique opportunity in our lives. We have worked hard to get here. It is our turn now. Let's do this! Thomas Roberts is the owner of Innerchange Counseling in Onalaska, WI; an author, an artist, a dynamic speaker and frequent presenter at Assisi Heights Spirituality Center. 23

24 Operetta! November 6, 2:30-4:00pm $10 preregistered/prepaid. $15 at the door. Prior to the musical theater as we know it today, was the world of the operetta. Sigmund Romberg was one for the greatest writers of the musical form. We will explore his life as well as his favorite works, The Student Prince and The Desert Song. In addition, listen to famous duets from the operetta world, as sung by Jeannette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy. Frank McIlmail is such a connoisseur of Broadway musicals that it runs in his blood! Growing up in the shadow of New York s Broadway, he comes by this naturally. Now retired from serving as a nursing professor at the College of St. Teresa, Winona, MN, and Viterbo University in LaCrosse, WI. Frank and his wife, Judy, actively work on peace and justice issues in their local community. Hanna Hughes Slice of Life Series Hanna Hughes - Winter Olympics on the Horizon? November 8, 6:30-8:00pm $10 preregistered/prepaid. $15 at the door. Learn the meaning of resilience, steadfastness and fortitude! Hanna Hughes was born and raised in Rochester, MN. She attended St. Pius Elementary School, St. John s Middle School and Lourdes High School. As a Lourdes sophomore, she was diagnosed with bone cancer, underwent 27 rounds of chemotherapy, and eventually endured the amputation of her leg. Once recovered, she graduated from high school and went on to the University of Minnesota in Duluth, MN, majoring in Psychology and Communications. Her athletic ambitions called her to play sled hockey. She started training for the USA Women s Paralympic Hockey Team. Her dream was realized when she was selected to the team in August, Today, she travels on weekends and hopes to compete in the 2018 or 2022 Winter Olympics. Hanna works at Channel One as a Development and Communications Associate. She is also a graduate student, working toward a masters in Strategic Communication and Management through Concordia University. In her spare time, she volunteers on the pediatric floor of Saint Marys Hospital. 24

25 Simplifying Your Life and Re-Negotiating Your Purpose in Retirement November 11, 9:00-11:30am $25 preregistered/prepaid. $30 at the door. Pare down your possessions and get inspired by the pursuit of the simple life. Declutter! Live a purposeful life with less stuff. It is only natural that the initial stage is scaling down. Reduce. Rest. Then focus on the purpose of your next phase of life. The first section of the morning will concentrate on tips for simplifying, followed by investing time to set direction for living a happily-focused retirement. Marlys Jax, OSF, is the hospitality and program coordinator for the Spirituality Center. She has offered numerous workshops on simplifying your life, and how to find new life in familiar or unfamiliar spaces. The World Will Be Saved by Beauty: Book Discussion November 14, 11:30am-1:00pm $12 preregistered/prepaid, includes light lunch. No registration at the door. This book is an intimate portrait of Dorothy Day, written by her granddaughter, Kate Hennessy. She tells of the chaotic life led by her complicated grandmother, who focused her energy on discovering the intricacies and questionable fallacies of her newfound Catholic faith; her love and friction with her daughter Tamar; and the founding of the Catholic Worker Movement. Dorothy Day, the author of the The Catholic Worker (still sold for one cent in 2017), expounded on the plight of the poor and homeless, on war, nonviolence and the wealthy. She was, and still is, revered as one of the most persistent social activists of our time. Overall, Hennessey proves that despite the many controversial facets of her personality and beliefs, Dorothy was not perfect, yet is still eligible to be anointed a saint! Claren Sellner, OSF and Mary Wellik will lead the group, delving into the author s intent, while discussing the group s interpretation. Both are frequent library visitors who enjoy surveying the understory! 25

26 Franciscan Enrichment: Angelina of Marsciano November 20, 2:30-3:30pm or 6:30-7:30pm Donations appreciated Daughter of the duke of Marschiano, Angelina ( ) grew up in privilege near Orvieto, Italy. Her life s journey included marriage and widowhood at a young age, followed by membership in the Third Order Seculars of St. Francis. Her care for the sick, the poor, widows and orphans was well known. Find out why her life also included accusations for being a heretic and disturber of the peace! Eventually, Angelina founded a Franciscan Third Order Regular community of Sisters as well as many convents. Join us to meet an inspiring woman with a story for our time. Ramona Miller, OSF, has wide experience in pastoral ministry. For over twentyfive years she was a staff member of the Franciscan Pilgrimage Program, leading pilgrimages to Assisi, Italy. Her interest piqued in May, 2017, during a visit to the monastery of Blessed Angelina in Folingno, Italy. Christmas on the Hill A n U m b r i a n C e l e b r a t i o n Saturday, December 2, 2017 We invite you to begin your Advent journey at the home of the Sisters of Saint Francis. Party in the Parlors Festive surroundings and Christmas carol sing-along. Pray in the Chapel Celebrate Holden Evening Prayer, a Christmas on the Hill favorite. The story of the Nativity will come to life. Enjoy heavenly treats Italian appetizer buffet and gourmet dessert bar, with sparkling wines and waters. Feel the joyous noel! 26 All proceeds benefit the ministries of the Sisters of Saint Francis. Reservations required

27 Advent: A Time of Expectant Waiting December 5, 6:30-8:00pm $10 preregistered/prepaid. $15 at the door. What exactly are we waiting for? Come and see! Father Tom Loomis offers us few clues on this presentation, but rest assured, you will be moved by the Spirit! Currently he is shepherding a flock at Holy Spirit Catholic Community in Rochester. So What are you waiting for? Christmas Tea December 9, 1:30-3:30pm $32 preregistered/prepaid. No registrations at the door. Surprise table entertainment will add a smile to your Christmas spirit! Please include the name of your guest(s) when registering. 27

28 Save the Date! Boundless Compassion April 23, 2018, 6:30-8:30pm Registration details will be made available in January The Death of Innocents: Book Discussion December 12, 11:30am-1:00pm $12 preregistered/prepaid, includes light lunch. No registrations at the door. The Death of Innocents is a test of the moral margin of debate on capital punishment. Sister Helen Prejean dismantles the legal and religious arguments that have been used to justify the death penalty. She shows how poverty, race, prosecutorial ambitions and publicity play dominate roles in who lives and who dies. She says the core moral issue is Honorable people disagree about the justice of executing the guilty, but who can argue about the injustice of executing the innocent? In an era of violence, hostility and a them or us attitude, how can the wide divisions and enmities be lessened? What will it take to draw forth the living kindness inherent within one s self and others? What can be done to enable activation of the teachings of Jesus on the gospels with a compassionate approach to societal issues today. This retreat flows for her recently published book on compassion. The retreat offers practical approaches to changing hearts and re-invigoration hope amid the current quagmire of discouragement. During this retreat, Joyce Rupp will invite participants to enter the inner terrain of their daily lives. She will provide both theory and practical suggestions from a variety of spiritual tradition in order to explore the process of becoming a more peaceful and complete human being. Claren Sellner, OSF, and Mary Wellik will facilitate the discussion, delving into the author s intent, while discovering the group s interpretation. Both are avid readers and seasoned globetrotters who forage for the untold aspects of the story! 28

29 Making Room for God in Silence and Solitude St. Francis found silence and solitude in his life in a little church he rebuilt after it had been abandoned and was in ruins. That renovated Church still exists today. St. Francis called it by its Italian name Portiuncula referring to a small portion of the land located in the Umbrian Valley near Assisi, Italy. The tiny chapel was given to Francis when he began his Order. This is where Francis gathered his brothers to pray. We follow the tradition of Francis and make available a little portion of space for you to feel welcomed to come to pray, reflect, relax and be renewed. You will find these characteristics: spacious views, walking trails, scenic grounds, summer florals, fall colors or winter whites, with seasonal creatures to greet you and a welcoming staff and residents to serve you. You will find pristine accommodations, a quiet atmosphere, a lovely chapel and various reflection spaces with nutritious meals in the dining room. Come to our restful space and make room for God. Advanced reservations required. For more information or to reserve this space, contact Angie Grimm: Call or ahsc@rochesterfranciscan.org 29

30 Things to know: Registration Registration for Assisi Heights Spirituality Center events may be completed online. Please visit our website at and select the Events category. We accept Visa, MasterCard and Discover for all online registrations and require payment in full. If you would like to pay by check or cash, please register by at by phone at , or mail in the enclosed form. On-site Registration: If you do not preregister for an event, there will be an additional charge of $5, providing space is still available. Some events limit registration size and other events require that food service guarantees be made in advance. If questions, contact event coordinator Angie Grimm at or rochesterfranciscan.org. Deadlines Please pay special attention to our program and retreat dates and register at least one week in advance when possible. Advance registration helps us make important decisions regarding our programs and retreats, including seating arrangements. Cancellation When an event requires a registration fee but does not include a meal, your fee will be refunded in full if cancelled 24 hours prior to the event. When an event requires a registration fee and includes a meal, your fee will be refunded in full if cancelled 5 days prior to the event. When an event is cancelled by the Assisi Heights Spirituality Center, your registration fee will be refunded in full. Retreat Bedrooms Private bedrooms are available for personal retreats at $40 a day (including an overnight stay when requested). Call or ahsc@rochesterfranciscan.org to inquire about our availability. Scholarships Scholarships may be available to help offset the cost of a program or retreat. Please Angie Grimm at ahsc@rochesterfranciscan.org or call to inquire about scholarship availability. Meeting Rooms Assisi Heights has a variety of rooms available for meetings and events. We can accommodate groups up to 200. On-site catering is available. Please call or ahsc@rochesterfranciscan.org to inquire about our meeting facilities. Gift Shop The Assisi Heights gift shop is open 7 days a week from 12:15-1:15pm. To make a special appointment, please call Sister Dorothy Hansen at

31 R e g i s t r a t i o n I n s t r u c t i o n s To register, mail this form and payment to: Angie Grimm, AHSC Event Coordinator Assisi Heights Spirituality Center th Street NW Rochester, MN To register online, go to: and click on Events Questions? Call or ahsc@rochesterfranciscan.org Program Title: Program Date: Name: Address: City: State: ZIP: Phone: Please note: if enclosed amount is for a deposit, balance is due upon arrival Check enclosed for Exp. date - Security code $ (on back of card) Please charge my credit card $ Signature of card holder Date Program Title: Program Date: Name: Address: City: State: ZIP: Phone: Please note: if enclosed amount is for a deposit, balance is due upon arrival Check enclosed for Exp. date - Security code $ (on back of card) Please charge my credit card $ Signature of card holder Date 31

32 R e g i s t r a t i o n I n s t r u c t i o n s To register, mail this form and payment to: Angie Grimm, AHSC Event Coordinator Assisi Heights Spirituality Center th Street NW Rochester, MN To register online, go to: and click on Events Questions? Call or ahsc@rochesterfranciscan.org Program Title: Program Date: Name: Address: City: State: ZIP: Phone: Please note: if enclosed amount is for a deposit, balance is due upon arrival Check enclosed for Exp. date - Security code $ (on back of card) Please charge my credit card $ Signature of card holder Date Program Title: Program Date: Name: Address: City: State: ZIP: Phone: Please note: if enclosed amount is for a deposit, balance is due upon arrival Check enclosed for Exp. date - Security code $ (on back of card) Please charge my credit card $ Signature of card holder Date 32

33 R e g i s t r a t i o n I n s t r u c t i o n s To register, mail this form and payment to: Angie Grimm, AHSC Event Coordinator Assisi Heights Spirituality Center th Street NW Rochester, MN To register online, go to: and click on Events Questions? Call or ahsc@rochesterfranciscan.org Program Title: Program Date: Name: Address: City: State: ZIP: Phone: Please note: if enclosed amount is for a deposit, balance is due upon arrival Check enclosed for Exp. date - Security code $ (on back of card) Please charge my credit card $ Signature of card holder Date Program Title: Program Date: Name: Address: City: State: ZIP: Phone: Please note: if enclosed amount is for a deposit, balance is due upon arrival Check enclosed for Exp. date - Security code $ (on back of card) Please charge my credit card $ Signature of card holder Date 33

34 R e g i s t r a t i o n I n s t r u c t i o n s To register, mail this form and payment to: Angie Grimm, AHSC Event Coordinator Assisi Heights Spirituality Center th Street NW Rochester, MN To register online, go to: and click on Events Questions? Call or ahsc@rochesterfranciscan.org Program Title: Program Date: Name: Address: City: State: ZIP: Phone: Please note: if enclosed amount is for a deposit, balance is due upon arrival Check enclosed for Exp. date - Security code $ (on back of card) Please charge my credit card $ Signature of card holder Date Program Title: Program Date: Name: Address: City: State: ZIP: Phone: Please note: if enclosed amount is for a deposit, balance is due upon arrival Check enclosed for Exp. date - Security code $ (on back of card) Please charge my credit card $ Signature of card holder Date 34

35 Directions From the South US-52 N toward Rochester Take the ELTON HILLS DR/19TH ST NW exit, EXIT 56C Near the traffic light merge RIGHT on Assisi Drive Turn right and right again onto Assisi Drive Turn LEFT at 14th St/11th Ave NW traffic light Assisi Heights entrance is directly on your LEFT: th St NW Rochester, MN From the North US 52 S toward Rochester Take the ELTON HILLS DR/19TH ST NW exit, EXIT 56C Take a LEFT over the bridge Turn RIGHT on Assisi Drive Turn LEFT at 14th St/11th Ave NW traffic light: Assisi Heights entrance is directly on your LEFT: th St NW Rochester, MN From the West Merge onto US-14 E US-14 E becomes CIVIC CENTER DR NW. Turn LEFT onto 11TH AVE NW. Turn RIGHT onto 14TH ST NW. Assisi Heights entrance is directly on your LEFT: th St NW Rochester, MN From the East Merge onto I-90 W. Merge onto US-52 N via EXIT 218 toward ROCHESTER. Merge onto CIVIC CENTER DR NW via EXIT 56A toward MAYO CLINIC. Turn LEFT onto 11TH AVE NW. Turn RIGHT onto 14TH ST NW. Assisi Heights entrance is directly on your LEFT: th St NW Rochester, MN

36 Sisters of St. Francis Assisi Heights Spirituality Center th Street NW Rochester, MN The Essence of Assisi is published semi-annually by the Sisters of Saint Francis -Rochester, MN If your address changes, you prefer to receive additional news via , or be removed from the mailing list, contact: AHSC Coordinator at or: NONPROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE PAID ROCHESTER MN PERMIT NO. 114