Villa Maria. Education & Spirituality Center. A Sacred Place Where God s Abundant Life Unfolds

Transcription

1 Villa Maria Education & Spirituality Center A Sacred Place Where God s Abundant Life Unfolds 2017 A sponsored ministry of the Sisters of the Humility of Mary

2 Programs at a Glance January : Coffee and Contemplation pg : Torah Study for Christians pg. 13 February : Winter Wisdom pg : Torah Study for Christians pg : Coffee and Contemplation pg. 12 March : Torah Study for Christians pg : Coffee and Contemplation pg : Day Retreat with Ilia Delio, OSF pg. 5 26: Earth Film Series pg : Taizé Prayer pg. 12 April : Weekend Retreat with Margaret Marszal, HM pg. 8 8: RCIA Retreat pg. 11 9: Earth Film Series pg : Coffee and Contemplation pg : Torah Study for Christians pg : Earth Film Series pg : Spring Song pg. 12 May : Praying with Clay pg. 11 7: Earth Film Series pg : Coffee and Contemplation pg : Torah Study for Christians pg : Taizé Prayer pg : Labyrinth pg. 12 June : Villa Maria-thon : Earth Film Series pg : Individually Directed Retreat pg : Labyrinth pg : Evening Gathering with James Finley pg : Conference Retreat with James Finley pg. 4 July : Praying with Water Color pg. 11 9: Secrets of Summer pg : All Things Mandala pg : Spiritual Direction Formation Program pg : Labyrinth pg : Conference Retreat Gail Worcelo pg. 5 August : Weekend Individually Directed Retreat pg : Labyrinth pg : Land Retreat pg. 6 24: Fourth Annual Nostra Aetate Lecture pg. 13 September : Weekend Retreat with Edwina Gately pg. 8 20: Labyrinth pg Oct. 1: Individually Directed Retreat pg. 10 October : Labyrinth pg. 12 November : Weekend Individually Directed Retreat pg. 10 4: Drawing Mandalas pg. 11 5: Humility and the Harvest pg : Conference Retreat with Tony Gittins pg : Enneagram Retreat pg. 9 December : Empty Bowls Retreat pg. 9 Content Index About the Center... 3 Conference Retreats Directions...14 Individually Directed Retreats...10 Jewish/Christian Studies...13 One Day Opportunities...11 Ongoing Series...12 Registration Information...15 Special Services... 10, 11, 14 Spiritual Direction Formation Program...10 Weekend & Other Opportunities Visit our website at or call

3 Villa Maria Education & Spirituality Center For over 150 years the Sisters of the Humility of Mary (HMs) have opened the sacred space of Villa Maria to those who seek to share in God s abundant life. Villa Maria Education and Spirituality Center (VMESC) was incorporated in 2005 to carry on the mission of the Sisters by serving the educational and spiritual needs of children, youth, adults and their families. Our mission: Villa Maria Education & Spirituality Center provides and promotes educational and spiritual experiences in a unique setting for people of all ages, faiths, and economic status. Our vision: Villa Maria Education & Spirituality Center is a sacred setting where God s grace is nurtured and abundant life unfolds. We seek to inspire lifelong learning and growth through relationships with God, others, self, and Earth. Our guests are encouraged to feel at home and make use of our facilities which include: Magnificat Chapel, aesthetically beautiful, with seating for up to 400 people Overnight accommodations for up to 200 people (bed linens and towels provided) Onsite food service provides wellbalanced and nutritious meals and adjusts to special diets and needs A variety of meeting spaces with seating ranging from Smoke free campus Ministry Team Handicapped Accessible Buildings and Rooms Indoor Heated Pool Library Nature Trails Farm Market Art House This brochure contains our upcoming programs for Come and experience the beauty, peace, and opportunities for spiritual growth at Villa Maria Education and Spirituality Center! Villa Maria Education and Spirituality Center is located on the picturesque grounds of Villa Maria Community Center, between New Castle, Pennsylvania and Youngstown, Ohio. The woodlands, meadows, pond, outdoor shrines, nature walkways, herb garden, and the lived faith of the resident sisters provide a setting where the whole person, body-mindspirit, can be nourished. Jane Marie Kudlacz, HM President/CEO Matt Abramowski Ardath Blake, HM Dorothy Bryer Janet Burkhart, HM Sharon Cahill, HM Nancy Hoffman Barbara Lenarcic, HM Barbara O Donnell, HM Dana Stiger Barbara Torok-Crissman Cindy Wilpula Visit our website at or call

4 Conference Retreats Exploring the Spiritual Dimensions of Healing Director: James Finley A retreat devoted to exploring the spiritual dimensions of healing. The retreat singles out seven traumas or sources of suffering to which we are subject as human beings, then goes on to provide seven steps that heal these seven sources of suffering. The seven steps are presented as a path that gravitates toward becoming a healing presence in the midst of the world. Ways to pray and meditate and other spiritual practices will be provided that can help us stabilize and grow stronger in each step of the healing journey. The retreat is intended for all who are personally interested in how to access and share the spiritual dimensions of healing. In addition, spiritual directors, hospice workers, medical and mental health professionals will find here ways to access the spiritual dimensions of the healing encounters that occur with those coming to you for help. Time will be given for brief periods of silent meditation and discussion of the themes presented. More information about this retreat is available on our website at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, June 22 to Noon Sunday, June 25, 2017 (registration due June 8, Early registration is encouraged as space is limited) Cost: $ (Includes: Retreat, Lodging, and Meals from Supper on Thursday to Lunch on Sunday) James Finley, Ph.D. lived as a monk at the cloistered Trappist monastery of the Abbey of Gethsemani in Kentucky, where the worldrenowned monk and author, Thomas Merton, was his spiritual director. James Finley leads retreats and workshops throughout the United States and Canada, attracting men and women from all religious traditions who seek to live a contemplative way of life in the midst of today s busy world. He is also a clinical psychologist in private practice with his wife in Santa Monica, California. James Finley is the author of: Merton s Palace of Nowhere, The Contemplative Heart and Christian Meditation: Experiencing the Presence of God The Amazing Grace that Sets Us Free Director: James Finley This special evening presentation is open to the public and the first session for those participating in the extended retreat. Sometimes, when we feel we have lost our way, we are surprised by inner illuminations that let us know that God is with us in the midst of our difficulties. (Our gratitude and amazement becomes stronger as we learn to follow the light out of the darkness in which we felt so lost.) In this evening gathering, James Finley will help us to understand how we can deepen our appreciation for own moments of experiential salvation, how we can keep our minds and hearts open for the illuminations yet to come, and how we can become someone in whose presence others might experience the quiet light of God s presence in their lives. 7:00 p.m. Thursday, June 22, 2017 (registration due June 15, Cost: $ Visit our website at or call

5 Featured Presentation Seeking Wholeness: Catholicity, Cosmology, and Consciousness Presenter: Ilia Delio, OSF Our fragmented and polarized world is out of sync with nature. The ancient Greeks knew that awareness of the cosmos was essential to right living. By renewing an understanding of catholicity today as it originated among the Greeks, we have an opportunity to awaken to a new sense of wholeness with God at the center. We will explore the meaning of catholicity in its relation to cosmos and consciousness to see how a renewed understanding of catholicity can empower a new world. Saturday, March 25, 2017, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (registration due March 10, 2017) Cost: $55.00 (Includes lunch and refreshments) Ilia Delio, OSF is a Franciscan Sister of Washington, DC and holds the Josephine C. Connelly Endowed Chair in Theology at Villanova University. She earned doctorates in pharmacology from Rutgers University-School of Healthcare and Biomedical Sciences and in Historical theology from Fordham University, NY. She is the recipient of a Templeton Course in Science and Religion award and the author of seventeen books including The Unbearable Wholeness of Being. Other books include Care for Creation, The Emergent Christ and Making All Things New: Catholicity, Cosmology and Consciousness. She lectures nationally and internationally on topics including evolution, artificial intelligence, consciousness, culture and religion. We Mysticism : Encountering the Divine in a Shared Field of Awakening Director: Gail Worcelo What would it be like to plunge into the waters of Divine Love together; to leave behind solo spiritual practice and encounter the Mystery in a shared field of awakening? Using insights from science along with a series of paintings, we will use four directives to enter into the space of We Mysticism : Dive In, Go Beyond the Known, Lift and Take Flight and Discover the Space Between Us. Our process will be one of inquiry, creativity and emergence together. Participation in the collective field is required. 7:00 p.m. Sunday, July 23 to Noon Friday, July 28, 2017 (registration due July 7, 2017) Cost: $ (Includes: Retreat, Lodging, and Meals from Pizza Supper on Sunday to Lunch on Friday) Visit our website at or call Gail Worcelo is a Catholic sister and cofounder of Green Mountain Monastery in Greensboro, Vermont along with Bernadette Bostwick and the late Passionist priest, cultural historian and Teilhardian scholar Thomas Berry. Green Mountain Monastery is a new emergence in the Catholic tradition that seeks to give expression to a theology rooted in the evolutionary dynamism of an unfolding universe. Gail holds degrees in Clinical Psychology and Christian Spirituality and divides her time between life at the monastery and teaching and leading retreats around the world. She is passionate about contributing to the evolution of the Catholic tradition in this new Moment of Grace and has presented at gatherings such as: LCWR- The Leadership Conference of Women Religious, Catholic Theological Union, International Congregational Chapters of Men and Women, as well as to groups, seminaries and formation houses in India, Indonesia, Ireland, Australia and Latin America. 5

6 All Things Mandala Director: Paulette Kirschensteiner, HM During this retreat we will focus on our relationship with God, self and others. Retreatants will experience prayer using many different mediums such as coiling yarn and clothesline; white drawing on black paper, collage and mandalas. 7:00 p.m. Sunday, July 9 to Noon Thursday, July 13, 2017 (registration due June 23, 2017) Cost: $ (Includes: Retreat, Lodging, and Meals from Pizza Supper on Sunday to Lunch on Thursday) Paulette Kirschensteiner, HM leads retreats incorporating art and prayer. Her undergraduate degree is in Art Education and her graduate degree is in Fiber Arts and she has taught art classes from kindergarten through college. She has exhibited her work throughout the country and has works installed in Ohio, Illinois, Massachusetts, and Florida. Villa Maria Land Retreat: The Continuity between Soil and Life...An Experience of Spirituality and Sustainability Presenters: Barbara O Donnell, HM and Frank Romeo Explore the diversity and beauty of land at Villa Maria. In a contemplative spirit, learn more about the continuity between soil and life, spirituality and sustainability. Share in presentations and walk a portion of the land each day. Conversation, contemplation and ritual are integrated along with options for personal enrichment and creativity. Celebrate God s gift of creation while deepening an awareness of local and global ecological concerns. 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 22 to Noon Saturday, August 26, 2017 (registration due August 8, 2017) Cost: $ (Includes: Program, Lodging, and Meals from Pizza Supper on Tuesday to Lunch on Saturday) Barbara O Donnell, HM is a staff member with the Villa Maria Education and Spirituality Center focusing on spirituality and ecological sustainability. She serves as an Ambassador with the Catholic Climate Covenant. Barbara holds Master Degrees in Religious Education from LaSalle University and in Earth Literacy from St. Mary-of-the-Woods College. Frank Romeo is Director of Land Management Emeritus at Villa Maria. He offers presentations related to spirituality and organic gardening, sustainable agriculture, Farm-based Environmental Education and other land topics. 6 Visit our website at or call

7 Bring Forth the Realm of God Director: Tony Gittins Bring Forth the Realm of God will be a retreat on a variety of topics that touch the way we approach the vocation of a Christian. We will look at Spirituality, Hope, Conversion, Joy, the Holy Spirit, Imagination, and other issues, from a scriptural and topical perspective. 7:00 p.m. Sunday, November 12 to Noon Friday, November 17, 2017 (registration due October 27, 2017) Cost: $ (Includes: Retreat, Lodging, and Meals from Pizza Supper on Sunday to Lunch on Friday) Professor Dr. Anthony J. Gittins, CSSp., taught Theology and Anthropology at The Missionary Institute, London, UK, from 1980 to 1984, and at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago from 1984 until 2011 and is now Emeritus Professor of Theology and Culture. Born in Manchester (England), and ordained in 1967, after completing his theological studies he subsequently earned M.A.s (Summa cum Laude) in Theoretical Linguistics and in Social Anthropology, and later a Ph.D. in Social Anthropology from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland. After ministry in Africa, he pursued post-doctoral research at the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, England. He is a religious, priest, and member of the Congregation of the Holy Ghost (Spiritans). In terms of pastoral ministry, he worked for thirty years with and among homeless women on the streets of Chicago and then in a soup kitchen run by the Jesus People. For seven years he was part of Genesis House a community where women struggle to escape from prostitution. For almost a decade ( ) he worked among the Mende people of Sierra Leone, West Africa, as a missionary pastor, linguist and ethnographer. He is the author of sixteen books on theological and anthropological topics, and on mission and spirituality. Most recently, Ministry at the Margins: Strategy and Spirituality for Mission (Orbis, 2002); Come, Follow Me: The Commandments of Jesus (Liguori, 2004); Where There s Hope, There s Life: Women s Stories of Survival, and Practical Theology (Liguori, 2006); Called to be Sent: Co-Missioned as Disciples Today (Liguori, 2008); Living Mission Interculturally: Faith, Culture, and the Renewal of Praxis (Liturgical Press, 2015); and The Way of Discipleship: Women, Men, and the Call to Mission (Liturgical Press, 2016). Visit our website at or call

8 Weekend Opportunities Mercy, Joy, and the Hope of the Gospel Presenter: Margaret Marszal, HM Pope Francis calls us to live our lives witnessing Gospel values. Living out of mercy, joy, and hope can not only transform us to be witnesses of Christ s message, but it will impact the world around us. In this retreat, we will take time to reflect on Pope Francis invitation to live a life of mercy which reflects the joy and hope of the Gospel. 7:00 p.m. Friday, April 7 to 4:00 p.m. Saturday, April 8, Optional second overnight. (registration due March 31, 2017) Cost: $ (Includes: Program, Lodging, Meals from Pizza Supper on Friday to Lunch on Saturday); $50.00 for second night and breakfast Margaret J. Marszal, HM, a Sister of the Humility of Mary, has a background in retreat work, parish ministry, and education. Sr. Margaret is an experienced retreat presenter and spiritual director and has presented in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Indiana, and Florida. Her focus is on spirituality that integrates mind, body, and spirit. She is currently living in the Cleveland area. Call to Personal and Global Transformation Presenter: Edwina Gateley In the midst of our violent and hurting world we will explore how God as Lover, Healer and Seducer ever invites us to new possibilities and to believe in our potential to make a difference. Through scripture and contemporary stories, we will explore how we are called to recognize and nurture God s presence in our world and in ourselves. 7:00 p.m. Friday, September 8 to Noon Sunday, September 10, 2017 (registration due August 25, 2017) Cost: $ (Includes: Retreat, Lodging, and Meals from Pizza Supper on Friday to Lunch on Sunday) Edwina Gateley s life has been described by Publisher s Weekly as fascinating an exceptional blend of contemplation and action. Her journey has led her to teaching in Africa, founding Volunteer Missionary Movement, sojourning in the Sahara Desert, spending nine months of prayer in a trailer in the woods, befriending and ministering to street people and women in prostitution God s little ones, and preaching the Good News: God Is With Us. Edwina is a poet, theologian, artist, writer, lay minister, modernday mystic and prophet, and a single mom. She gives talks, conferences and retreats in the United States and internationally while continuing to reach out to women in recovery from drugs and prostitution. 8 Visit our website at or call

9 Enneagram Presenter: Cheryl Rose, HM The Enneagram is a personality theory combining the insights of modern psychology with proven wisdom of ancient philosophies. Each participant is led to discover her/his type and investigate some of the implications for building better relationships. In addition, insights gained from the Enneagram can assist in the process of spiritual growth and personal transformation. 6:30 p.m. Friday, November 17 to 5:00 p.m. Saturday, November 18, Optional second overnight. (registration due November 3, 2017) Cost: $ (Includes: Program, Lodging, Pizza Supper on Friday, Breakfast and Lunch on Saturday); $50.00 for second night and breakfast Cheryl Rose, HM is trained and certified by Maria Beesing, OP, a pioneer in Enneagram theory and presentation, to facilitate this workshop. Sr. Cheryl has an undergraduate degree in science and math and a Masters in Religious Studies from John Carroll University. Cheryl taught Physics, Chemistry, and Theology for 26 years on the secondary level. She is presently engaged in full-time ministry offering retreats, programs, Enneagram workshops, and spiritual direction for adults and young adults. The Empty Bowl: A Retreat for the Contemplative Way Presenter: Cheryl Rose, HM Images, metaphors, poetry often paint a picture that draw the soul into the quiet, and tap an inner longing to go deeper. This retreat will provide the opportunity to feed the soul with time for reflection, space and quiet, and gentle input on themes resonant with the contemplative spiritual path. If you are drawn to an empty bowl, maybe this is the retreat for you! 7:00 p.m. Friday, December 1 to Noon Sunday, December 3, 2017 (registration due November 3, 2017) Cost: $ (Includes: Retreat, Lodging, and Meals from Pizza Supper on Friday to Lunch on Sunday) Visit our website at or call

10 Weeklong Individually Directed Retreats Sunday, June 11 to Sunday, June 18, 2017 (registration due June 2, 2017) Directors: Ardath Blake, HM; Barbara Lenarcic, HM; Margaret Marszal, HM; Rosemary O Brien, SSJ; Peggy Schmidt, IHM; Tim Shepard, SJ Sunday, September 24 to Sunday, October 1, 2017 (registration due September 8, 2017) Directors: Ardath Blake, HM; Peggy Duffy, OSU; Catherine Higgins, CSJ; Barbara Lenarcic, HM; Peggy Schmidt, IHM; Tim Shepard, SJ; Carol Anne Smith, HM Individually Directed Retreats begin at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday and conclude the following Sunday at 10:00 a.m. Cost: $ (Includes: Daily Sessions with a Spiritual Director, Lodging, and Meals from Pizza Supper on Sunday to Breakfast on Sunday) Weekend Individually Directed Retreats A weekend directed retreat is an opportunity for prayerful reflection, often with Sacred Scripture, in an environment of complete silence. Each retreatant meets with a director twice during the weekend. This director is a companion who listens to the directee to help the directee notice God s presence and activity in the directee s journey. The retreat begins on Friday evening at 7:00 p.m. with a welcome, opening prayer and a brief group session with a director. Retreatants will join the HM Sisters for the celebration of Sunday Liturgy. The retreat will conclude with a short prayer service at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday followed by lunch. Friday, August 11 to Sunday, August 13, 2017 (registration due July 28, 2017) Directors: Ardath Blake, HM & Carol Anne Smith, HM Friday, November 3 to Sunday, November 5, 2017 (registration due October 20, 2017) Directors: Ardath Blake, HM & Carol Anne Smith, HM Cost: $ (Includes: Daily Sessions with a Spiritual Director, Lodging, and Meals from Pizza Supper on Friday to Lunch on Sunday) Spiritual Direction Formation Program 2:00 p.m. Sunday, July 9 to 11:00 a.m. Saturday, July 15, 2017 Faculty: Ardath Blake, HM; Barbara Lenarcic, HM; Mary Ann Spangler, HM VMESC offers a three-year formation program in spiritual direction. This program is designed to accommodate those who cannot afford the time for a lengthy residential program, yet desire time to explore the dimensions of this ministry and to discern their call to the ministry of spiritual direction. In addition to a one week resident week each of the three years, participants are asked to write four short reflection papers each year and participate in experiences which are part of the spiritual direction ministry. More details are available on our web site. Cost: $ for 2017 Resident Week Sabbath Time Come away to the peaceful atmosphere of Villa Maria and the surrounding area to renew your heart and soul. We welcome those who seek a quiet place for prayer, reflection and rest away from the stress of their everyday lives to spend an afternoon, a day or an overnight at our center. Call the VMESC office to make arrangements. 10 Visit our website at or call

11 Personal Retreats Scheduled on a year-round basis Cost: $70.00 per person/per night (Begel); $75.00 per person/per night (Potier); $85.00 per person/per night (Marian). Cost includes overnight accommodations and meals; spiritual direction available for an additional fee. Special pricing for stays of a week or longer can be arranged. Spiritual Direction Spiritual Direction provides an opportunity to reflect, in a prayerful context, on one s life in relationship with self, others, and God. Call to schedule an appointment with one of our spiritual directors. One Day Retreats RCIA Retreat Day Presenter: Ardath Blake, HM Theme: We Are Companions on the Journey Saturday, April 8, 2017, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (registration due March 24, 2017) Cost: $22.00 per person (1-5 participants); $20.00 per person (6-10 participants); $18.00 per person (11+ participants) (All costs include lunch and refreshments.) Praying With Clay Presenter: Paulette Kirschensteiner, HM Bring the artist in you to this creative one day prayer experience. We will use a variety of clay exercises to assist you in tapping into your inner Spirit. The day will include art, quiet, prayer, and lunch. No art experience is required. Saturday, May 6, 2017, 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (registration due April 21, 2017) Cost: $35.00 (Includes lunch, refreshments, and supplies) Praying With Watercolor Presenter: Margaret Marszal, HM Watercolor is a fun way to listen to your inner wisdom. Incorporating prayer reflections, we will use different exercises to help you to connect with God, yourself, and others. The day will include art, quiet, prayer, and lunch. No art experience is required. Saturday, July 8, 2017, 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (registration due June 23, 2017) Cost: $45.00 (Includes lunch, refreshments, and supplies) Art Retreat Drawing Mandalas Presenter: Paulette Kirschensteiner, HM Mandalas will be drawn using white pencil on black paper. We will add color to the white pencil. No art experience is necessary. Saturday, November 4, 2017, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (registration due October 20, 2017) Cost: $35.00 (Includes lunch, refreshments, and supplies) Visit our website at or call

12 On-Going Series Coffee and Contemplation: This opportunity provides participants with input from a presenter and a time for personal prayer as well as group interaction. 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Cost: $7.00; Optional lunch an additional $5.00 Tuesday, January 17, 2017 Sr. Ardath Blake: Biblically Shaped Prayer Tuesday, February 21, 2017 Sr. Barb Lenarcic: Responding to God s Presence in All Things Tuesday, March 21, 2017 Sr. Barbara O Donnell: Daily Praise for Earth, our Common Home Tuesday, April 18, 2017 Sr. Janet Burkhart: Presence of God through Music Tuesday, May 16, 2017 Matt Abramowski: Praying with the Psalms Taizé Prayer: This Christian interdenominational prayer form includes music, scripture, and silence. 7:30 p.m. Cost: No Cost Magnificat Chapel Thursday, March 30, 2017 Lent Thursday, May 18, 2017 Easter Guided Labyrinth Walks 2017: Sunday, May 21, :00 to 4:00 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 16, :30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 21, :30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 20, :30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 19, :30 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 15, :00 to 4:00 p.m. Seasonal Land Series: Join Barbara O Donnell, HM and Frank Romeo in a contemplative spirit to explore the Villa grounds as God s gift. This seasonal series will include presentations, discussion, time for personal reflection and ritual. 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Cost: $10.00 Sunday, Feb. 12, 2017 Winter Wisdom Sunday, July 9, 2017 Secrets of Summer Sunday, April 30, 2017 Spring Song Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017 Humility & the Harvest Earth Film Series: Earth A New Wild: Nature, Animals and Humans The New Wild is the conscious relationship of nature and animals with humans in a transforming way. This film series will include video presentations from PBS and National Geographic. Time will also be incorporated for participants to share discussion about the videos. Presenter: Janet Burkhart, HM 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Cost: Free Will Offering Sunday, March 26, 2017 Home Sunday, May 7, 2017 Oceans Sunday, April 9, 2017 Plains Sunday, June 4, 2017 Water Sunday, April 23, 2017 Forests 12 Visit our website at or call

13 Fourth Annual Nostra Aetate Lecture A Virtual Reality Tour of the Holocaust Museum in Jerusalem Presenter: Dr. Tim Crain Thursday, August 24, p.m. Cost: Free Will Offering In this presentation, Dr. Crain will lead a virtual tour of the Holocaust Museum in Jerusalem for those who are not able to travel there and will explore the reason why we need to remember. Tim Crain is the director of the National Catholic Center for Holocaust Education and Jewish / Christian Studies Torah Study for Christians Presenters: Rabbi Saul Oresky and Rev. George Balasko Co-Sponsored By: Jewish/ Christian Studies Youngstown, OH and the B nai B rith Guardian of the Menorah This Bible education series is an opportunity for Christians to reflect on the Scriptures under the guidance of a rabbi. Working closely with the biblical text, we will explore the methods and insights of the sages of the Jewish tradition, their love for Torah, their eye for detail, their incisive questions, debates, and creative storytelling (midrash). In this way we will deepen our appreciation of a Torah tradition that is at the core of Jewish life, which formed Jesus as a Jew, and which is the root of our biblical heritage as Christians. Join us in this fascinating journey of biblical and spiritual enrichment. January 18, 2017; February 15, 2017 March 15, 2017; April 19, 2017 May 17, 2017 Visit our website at or call an assistant professor of history at Seton Hill University. He received a Ph.D. in modern Europe and modern Jewish history at Arizona State University after receiving a B.A. and M.A. from Marquette University. His areas of specialization include modern Jewish history, comparative religious history, modern Europe, and the modern Middle East. Crain taught history for fifteen years at Marquette University and the University of Wisconsin- Madison. He has received numerous distinguished teaching awards from the University of Wisconsin System and Marquette University. Time: 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Cost: Free Will Offering Rabbi Saul Oresky has served as the rabbi of Congregation Ohev Tzedek Shaarei Torah in Boardman, Ohio since August He grew up and lived in the Washington, DC suburbs, and was ordained by the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in June He is a lifelong Jewish educator, teaching hundreds of students, and he has also served as a journalist, technical writer, and editor. Rev. George Balasko is the co-creator of Jewish/Christian Dialogue with the late Rabbi Samuel Meyer of Temple El Emeth in Liberty. Through his many ecumenical programs, Fr. Balasko is well-renowned and highly regarded in the local Jewish community. He is the founder, general editor, and producer of a continuing education program in cooperation with Abba House Communications, and for more than 20 years has served as host and producer of the Jewish/Christian Dialogue network television series which airs in several markets around the world. Fr. Balasko resides in the apartments at Villa Maria. 13

14 Opportunities for Youth VMESC offers a variety of Farm-Based Environmental Education programs during the summer months. GROW (Gardening Responsibility Once Weekly) Camp for children ages 5-10 will be offered June 15th through August 11th, Teen Outdoor Camp for youth ages will be offered July 10-14, Check our website or call the VMESC office for more information. Yoga On select Saturday mornings, both Chair and Gentle Yoga Classes are offered. No experience is necessary. Participants are invited to bring a yoga mat or beach towel with them. Call VMESC or visit our website for more information regarding dates, times and cost. Hosted Groups We welcome groups who would like to plan their own program and use our facilities. Call us for pricing and to check available dates. Directions Use GPS directions: 2067 Evergreen Rd., Pulaski, PA From Cleveland (and other points West) Take Ohio turnpike (I-80 EAST) to Exit 218 Follow I-80 EAST toward New York and Sharon (road splits: take left fork) Exit I-80 at Hubbard, Exit 234A (Route 7 & 62) Turn right at stop sign Continue across Route 304 (road becomes Route 616) Continue on Route 616 to Route 422 intersection (Route 422 is 5.8 miles from I-80) Turn left (East) onto Route 422 Take Route 422 East to the first cross-road past the Pennsylvania state line (Evergreen) Turn right onto Evergreen Road (Posted sign indicates Villa Maria one mile) Go one mile on Evergreen to Villa Maria From Pittsburgh From PA turnpike (I-76 West ) take Exit 10 to Interstate 376 west (formerly 60 North) From Pittsburgh airport take Interstate 376 west (formerly) Route 60 North Near New Castle, Interstate 376 and Route 422 merge for approximately one mile. Pass Exit for Route 224. Take the next Exit and follow Route 422 west toward Youngstown. Follow Route 422 West to Evergreen Road. (Approx. 8 miles. A posted sign indicates Villa Maria to the left. The sign appears soon after you pass St. James Church. If you cross the state line into Ohio you have gone too far.) Turn left onto Evergreen Road Go one mile on Evergreen to Villa Maria From Erie, Buffalo (and other points Northeast or East) Take I-79 South, to I-80 West (Exit 116 B) to PA Interstate 376 East (formerly Route 60 South (4-A) Exit Interstate 376 exit 5 at Route 208 West to New Wilmington/Pulaski turn right toward New Bedford In New Bedford turn left onto Evergreen Road (continue on Evergreen across Route 422) Go one mile on Evergreen after crossing Route 422 to Villa Maria. 14 Visit our website at or call

15 Registration Form Registering for a program at VMESC Registration Options: Register online at Call (credit card payments accepted online or by phone) Complete the registration form below and mail with deposit or full payment to: VMESC Registration, P.O. Box 424, Villa Maria, PA Note: A non-refundable, non-transferable deposit of $100 is required for weeklong/weekend programs. Full payment is required for one-day programs. Program overnight accommodations are for a private room with a private bath in the Potier Center (subject to availability). Double occupancy or other building accommodations are available upon request. NAME DATE STREET ADDRESS CITY STATE ZIP DAYTIME PHONE EVENING PHONE CELL PROGRAM TITLE PROGRAM DATE q I AM INTERESTED IN A COMMUTER RATE q ENCLOSED DEPOSIT/PAYMENT OF $ q SPECIAL NEEDS RETURN TO: VMESC Registration, PO Box 424, Villa Maria, PA Visit our website at or call

16 Villa Maria Education and Spirituality Center