of Assisi Cultivate the Mood to Linger

Transcription

1 January - April 2018 The Essence of Assisi Cultivate the Mood to Linger Vol. 09, No. 01 Assisi Heights Spirituality Center Rochester, MN th Street NW

2 Welcome Weaving Compassion! Compassion is a conscious feeling within - a sort of quivering heart which perceives the suffering of others and nudges us to move forward with a caring response. It is a way of touching and being touched, acknowledging distress in the world around us. What does it take to Weave Compassion? It will take people. It will take prophet people, who dare to lay bare their fallacies that strangle, blind, and silence us. It will take nurtured people, who plow and tend plants and embrace humans. It will take healing people, whose hands touch and rub others into life. It will take poet people, who can call us beyond where we are. It will take fun loving people, who can unburden life, lighten up, and laugh others into joy. It will take women people, whose role from the beginning of time has been to nurture. It will take soul people, whose eyes are perceptive and open. It will take men people, to lay aside the busyness of business and enter the human pain. It will take justice people, who cry out against oppressors of people and the planet. It will take God s little people, who do not know themselves as special but who are the salt of the earth. It will take forgiving people, who call hearts to exchange stories, sort the ruble, and sweep away the chaff of separation. It will take each of us. and all of us committed to kindness and love to weave compassion! Written by Sister Marlys Jax 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 January 2108 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Beginning T'ai Chi Chih pg. 8 Continuing T'ai Chi Chih - Winter Option 1 pg Continuing T'ai Chi Chih - Winter Option 1 pg Traveling the Mayan World pg Exploring with Soul Collage pg The Peaceful Path of Yoga pg. 10 Home! A Dramatic Portrayal pg Dances of Universal Peace pg Muslims and Christians in Dialogue pg

5 February 2018 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 - Balancing Your Constitution pg Forgiveness - Moving Beyond Life's Hurts pg Diologue about the Church, Culture, and Organized Religion pg Muslims and Christians in Dialogue pg Balancing Your Constitution pg Cultivating Resilience after Compassion Fatigue pg Book Discussion: "The Five Invitations: Discovering What Death Can Teach Us About Living Fully" pg Got Guilt? pg. 15 Visio Divina pg Shifting Voices pg Lenten Weekend of Silence pg Why, God? Suffering Through Cancer into Faith pg Chronic Pain: Tools for surviving and Thriving pg. 17 Visio Divina pg. 15

6 March 2018 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Bhakti Yoga: The Yoga of Devotion and Love pg Exploring with Soul Collage pg Puzzled? pg Women Helping Women: Building Lives pg In the Footprints of Francis and the Sultan: A Model for Peacemaking pg Death Café pg Luncheon with Broadway! "Showboat" pg

7 April 2018 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Beginning T'ai Chi Chih pg. 8 Continuing T'ai Chi Chih - Spring Option 1 pg Continuing T'ai Chi Chih - Spring Option 1 pg. 9 All in the Family: Generations Living Under One Roof pg The Beguines: Modern Phenomenon in a Medieval World pg Book Discussion: "On Forgiveness" by Robert Holloway pg Luncheon with Broadway! "My Fair Lady and Camelot" pg Zen Origami pg The Happiness Project pg Native Plants and Pollinators pg Sister Joyce Rupp: Boundless Compassion pg Countering the Spirituality of America's Permanent Warfare State pg Luncheon with Broadway! "Phantom of the Opera" pg The Art of Seeing pg

8 Meditation Every Tuesday 5:15-5:45pm (except Jan. 16 and Mar. 13) Mediation is the practice of quieting the mind to bring forth clarity and positivity while cultivating 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. equipment or dress. Other benefits include greater flexibility, better health, evident serenity and increased joy. It will improve the body s natural healing abilities. All this within 8 weeks! Judy Trousdell, an accredited T ai Chi Chih instructor, has been practicing the form for many years. The time will begin with Cathy Ashton and Roxanne Schlasner 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. Beginning T ai Chi Chih Winter: January 9, 23, 30, February 6, 13, 20, 27, March 6, 10:00-11:30am Spring: April 3, 10, 17, 24, May 8, 15, 22, June 5, 10:00am-1:30pm $50 preregistered/prepaid. $55 at the door. Do you desire less stress and increased joy in your daily life? Consider circulating and balancing your inner energy of Chi in the peacefulness of Assisi Heights. The form, which is composed of 19 easy, slow moving meditative movements and one pose. T ai Chi Chih is adaptable and it benefits persons at any age or with any physical condition. It can be done standing or seated and requires no special Continuing T ai Chi Chih - Winter Option 1: January 9, 23, 30, February 6, 13, 20, 27, March 6, 8:45-9:45am Option 2: January 11, 25, February 1, 8, 15, 22, March 1, 8, 6:00-7:00pm $45 preregistered/prepaid. $50 at the door. This form, which is composed of 19 easy, slow moving meditative movements and one pose, is adaptable and it benefits persons with any physical condition or at any age. It can be done standing or seated 8

9 and requires no special equipment or dress. This continuing class is for those who have already learned the form and will work on any questions for 15 minutes followed by a full practice with the group. Judy Trousdell is an accredited T ai Chi Chih instructor who lives with and enjoys the benefits of the practice! Continuing T ai Chi Chih - Spring Option 1: April 3, 10, 17, 24, May 8, 15, 22, June 5, 8:45-9:45am Option 2: April 5, 12, 19, 26, May 10, 17, 24, June 7, 6:00-7:00pm $45 preregistered/prepaid. $50 at the door. See Page 8 for description. Traveling the Mayan World Route through Belize, Guatemala and Honduras January 22, 6:30-8:00pm Donations appreciated Learn about the highly developed Mayan civilization as well as its mysterious disappearance. The Mayans excelled in advanced agricultural practices, architecture, their own number system (mathematics), and language diversity. Their mysterious decline is unexplainable. Theories on their demise include an exhausted environment, warfare and catastrophic climate change. Ivonne TjoeFat is a RCTC Professor Emeritus in Psychology. She was born in Suriname, completed graduate studies in Netherlands; worked for the Education Department in Suriname and taught Didactics at the University of Suriname; and later served as a visiting professor in Boston, MA. She took early retirement, teaching all levels of psychology at RCTC, and now teaches part-time locally for Saint Mary s University. She followed her passion for learning about diverse cultures by traveling to 29 countries. 9

10 Exploring with Soul Collage January 23, 6:30-8:00pm $20 preregistered/prepaid. No registration at the door. In a meditative atmosphere, discover images using a technique called Soul Collage a transformative process of creating personal cards while experiencing greater awareness of your inner wisdom. In a relaxed and supportive space, spend time with images, assembling collages and composing reflective messages by using a journaling technique while tapping into your intuition. No artistic experience is necessary and all workshop materials provided. Elise Lewis fell in love with Soul Collage in 2010 and became a Certified Soul Collage facilitator in Elise also spends time as a genealogist helping people with their family trees and helping restore rights of adoptive persons. Having moved to Minnesota in 2016, she enjoys exploring her new surroundings. The Peaceful Path of Yoga: Deepening Your Practice January 24, 31, February 7, 14, 21, 28, 9:30-10:30am $50 preregistered/prepaid $60 at the door. The physical practice of yoga helps us to improve strength, flexibility and balance. It also prepared the body, mind, and spirit to enter into meditation. In this class, we begin with this gentle practice and conclude the session with a guided meditation. We will explore a few approaches to meditation, which nourishes a peaceful life. This six week class is suitable for adult beginners, as well as those experienced in yoga who wish to deepen their practice. Please bring your own yoga mat. This is a six session series, not a drop in class. 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. 10

11 Home! A Dramatic Portrayal January 24, 6:30-8:30pm Donations appreciated Refugees: Acquainted with the night Struggle with the thorny reality of human suffering Faced with catastrophic limitations, all refuges are in search for the door called "home!" This is a dramatic work about the struggle refugees face, as portrayed by RCTC's drama department under the direction of Jerry Casper. A panel discussion follows to explore the issues and stories of refugees and how you may be of assistance. Dances of Universal Peace January 27, 7:00-9:00pm Donations appreciated Dances of Universal Peace, or walking meditation, is a spiritual practice of sacred movement. It blends chant, music and sacred writings into a living experience of peace and integrative unity. The goal is to bring a compassionate heart forward in a quiet sacred setting. The themes to the dances include healing, peace and celebration of life as a great mystery. The focus of each dance is in the singing of a particular sacred phrase, inspired by spiritual, religious and mystic traditions around the world. No experience necessary. Come alone or bring a friend. The group is guided by Francis Gurtz, a Certified Leader, involved with the Dances of Universal Peace for many years. Standing Together Series Muslims and Christians in Dialogue January 30, 6:30-8:00pm: Intersection of Faith and Culture February 6, 6:30-8:00pm: Life Transitions and Rites of Passage Donations appreciated This two session series of Standing Together will bring together Muslims and Christians to explore a variety of traditions about each other s faith practices. The sessions will observe the basic guidelines for interfaith dialogue. Facilitated by Sister Briana McCarthy, OSF, a Christian, and Rashed Fehmi, Muslim, former chair of MERG. 11

12 Balancing Your Constitution February 1, 6:30-8:00pm and February 8, 6:30-8:00pm $10 each session preregistered/prepaid. $15 each session at the door. For those interested in health and well-being, mindfulness, meditation, developing awareness, consciousness, and good mental health, as well as integrative medicine, this two-part series will get you started. Session 1: Balancing the body with Ayurveda Ayurveda is India s traditional healing system based in ancient wisdom and developed over thousands of years. Today, it is considered a form of complementary medicine in the United States. According to Ayurveda, balancing the body, mind and spirit is essential to achieving good health. Ayurveda outlines dietary and lifestyle guidelines according to a person s unique mind/body constitution. short review of the Ayurveda constitutions from the first presentation, attendance in the first presentation will provide the foundation to better assimilate the material covered in the second session. Melissa Schultz began studying Ayurveda and Yoga after traveling to India over 20 years ago. Her interest in holistic healing systems that incorporate body, mind and spirit led her to pursue studies in Traditional Chinese Medicine in She is currently a student in the Living School through the Center for Action and Contemplation in Albuquerque, New Mexico, founded by Father Richard Rohr. Using the insights of world medicine and the perennial wisdom for healing of humanity, Melissa Practices acupuncture and Chinese Herbalism in Rochester. Session 2: Ayurveda and the Mind and Spiritual Self Ayurveda borrows knowledge for its sister science, Yoga, to help the person achieve a balanced mind and spirit. In this presentation, we will examine how Ayurveda understands nature and the mind, and the three spiritual qualities present in creation, along with various contemplative methods for balancing the mind according to the person s individual constitution. Although there will be a Happiness is not a matter of intensity, but of balance, orders and harmony." - Thomas Merton 12

13 Forgiveness Moving Beyond Life s Hurts February 3, 9:00am-3:00pm $40 preregistered/prepaid, includes lunch. No registration at the door. The resentful eye lives out its poverty and forgets its inner harvest. - John O Donahue This retreat day will focus on how to keep your inner harvest clear and bright by releasing resentments and imprisonment from the past so that you can accept the invitation to a new freedom. Using segments of the movie, The Shack, by William Paul Young, as a resource for the stages of forgiveness, Franciscan Sister Linda Wieser will lead participants in finding new freedoms and new potential. She will guide participants to do their own work through prayer/meditations; input; alone time and rituals that may help this transformation. Are you struggling with a past wound that continues to bother you? Do you ask: "Where was God in all of this suffering?" "Can I truly find peace with my life and myself?" Do you just want a getaway place for a cold Saturday in February? This retreat may be for you! Come to Assisi Heights to find your own inner shack in a place of beauty and safety. It is recommended that you familiarize yourself with the book or movie, The Shack prior to the retreat. Sister Linda Wieser has been teaching meditation, offering spiritual direction, and serving as a Certified Life Coach for over 30 years. Dialogue About the Church, Culture, and Organized Religion February 5, 6:30-8:00pm Donations appreciated Church and culture are at crossroads. The world around us is changing. A great number of people are choosing a movement away from traditional forms of worship and find themselves opting out of organized religion. Many are still hungry to grow and engage their faith, but they simply do not feel that their spiritual searching and dissenting experience will be honored or accepted as valid. As a result, they end up disillusioned, embarking on a journey of their own or not doing anything. All people long for a level of depth in their lives, especially their spiritual life. People want to explore questions and search for meaning as part of a bigger picture, and seek to be part of making the world a better place. Join us as we explore, honor and value the experience of those who consider opting out of congregational membership. Dialogue is our collective effort to find identity and purpose in the world with the support and encouragement of others. The evening will begin with a panel followed by participant dialogue. There is no desire to convert, rather to simply exchange experiences, explore questions and find support. Facilitators are Reverend Emily Carson, ELCA pastor, and Sister Marlys Jax, Program Coordinator of the Assisi Heights Spirituality Center. 13

14 Cultivating Resilience after Compassion Fatigue February 10, 9:00am-3:30pm $40 preregistered/prepaid, includes lunch. No registration at the door. Professionals who provide compassionate care, day after day, are vulnerable to exhaustion, also known as compassion fatigue. Compassion fatigue is a precursor to burnout, but is treatable. This oneday retreat provides a safe environment to better understand the multiple occupational stressors encountered in working environments where caregiving is required. The retreat provides time to step away, slow down, spend time in nature, eat good food and engage in focused conversations. Listen to one s own inner voice and learn new practices that cultivate resilience for the mind, body and spirit. Facilitator Audrey Lukasak is an ordained ELCA pastor and has worked in hospice, hospital chaplaincy, and parish ministry. Book Discussion: "The Five Invitations: Discovering What Death Can Teach Us About Living Fully" February 15, 22, and March 1, 5:30-7:00pm $15 preregistered/prepaid. $20 at the door. As a renowned teacher of compassionate caregiving and the co-founder of the Zen Hospice Project, Frank Ostaseski has sat on the precipice of death with more than a thousand people. With the insights from this book, we are offered an evocative and stirring guide that points to a radical path to transformation to our truest selves. The five invitations are: Don t Wait. Welcome Everything. Push Nothing Away. Bring Your Whole Self to the Experience. Find a Place of Rest in the Middle of Things Cultivate Don t Know Mind. Cathy Ashton has accompanied many persons during their last stages of life from her family of origin, to individuals at the Federal Medical Center and Mayo Hospice. She completed training with the Spirit Rock Mediation Center, which addresses aging, illness, and dying. 14

15 Got Guilt? February 17, 9:00-11:30am $15 prepregistered/prepaid. $20 at the door. Sin and Guilt? What is it that we consider as sin which makes us feel guilty? In the church, somethings are forbidden, but everything is forgivable. In society, many things are permitted, but somethings are unforgivable. How are our opinions and consciences shaped by the communities to which we belong? Come explore the various dimensions of sin, guilt and forgiveness. Father Jim Buryska retired as a Mayo Hospital Chaplain. His bonds of affection with the Rochester Franciscan Sisters extends back to his childhood. Visio Divina Shifting Voices February 22, 6:30-8:00pm Donations appreciated The political is religious and the religious is political: Evangelical Christianity s shifting voice in the public sphere from the Religious Right to the Evangelical Left. Come explore how U.S. politics are changing the lens of religion, demographics and the wedge issues. Rick Morris serves on the Just Transitions working group of the United States Climate Action Network and on the national steering committee of the Young Evangelicals for Climate Action. He holds a master's degree in divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary and works as the Sierra Club s Clean Energy Organizer in Rochester. February 17, 1:00-2:30pm February 28, 9:00-10:30am $10 preregistered/prepaid. $15 at the door. Visio Divina (Latin for divine seeing) is a method of praying with images or pictures. Stained glass windows or wall depictions of scriptural stories were used in the earlier days to teach scripture. Today, images are an important way of communicating with God, encouraging us to delve deeper and be called, surprised and transformed. Both of these sessions will have a Lenten theme. This just may be your type of prayer! Sister Marlys Jax, has years of study and experience in art, prayer and spirituality. 15

16 Lenten Weekend of Silence Option 1: February 23, 7:00pm - February 24, 5:00pm (2 Days) $90 preregistered/prepaid per person. $110 with Spiritual Direction. No registration at the door. Option 2: February 23, 7:00pm - February 25, 1:00pm (3 Days) $130 preregistered/prepaid per person. $150 with Spiritual Direction. No registration at the door. Lent brings in spring and invites us to wake up the life of the soul. Ponder a bit, reflect in the stillness, and wait for the sacred to bud forth. The day begins and ends with prayer and reflection. The remainder of the day is for your designing; whether that be resting, prayer, journaling, reading, meditative walking or just relaxing and being renewed. Each day you have the opportunity to meet with a spiritual director, who will listen to your unfolding story. You will find spacious views, scenic grounds, seasonal creatures, a comfortable bedroom, delicious meals, and quiet spaces to reflect. Give yourself a gift and discover silence the language of God! Spiritual Directors include Sisters JoAnn Haney, Monique Schwirtz, and Colleen Byron, Linda Wieser, and Rev. Jim Kunz. A Slice of Life! "A Slice of Life" is a series defined as that moment in time which brought growth, or added dimension to one s everyday experiences. That incident, episode or trial added wisdom and maturity to life's learning. Why, God? Suffering Through Cancer into Faith February 26, 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. She suffered 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. Together, with her grandfather, she was able to endure and eventually her spiritual core found the divine, however not in ways she expected. Maggie Cupit-Link will share her incredible faith story. She is now a Rochester resident current student at Mayo Medical School. Her faith journey is recorded in a book by the same title, coauthored by her grandfather. 16

17 Chronic Pain: Tools for Surviving and Thriving February 28, 6:30-8:00pm March 7, 6:30-8:00pm March 28, 6:30-8:00pm $30 preregistered/prepaid. $35 at the door. Chronic Pain has becomes an epidemic in the United States, with millions of people suffering each day. The impact living with pain has on people s daily lives can be profound. Understanding your pain is the first step in managing it. Learning how incorporate the spiritual in refocusing of pain can liberate your life to flourish and thrive. Some people choose either not to move, or jump in too quickly, halting the progress. These three sessions will help you understand the interrelationship of body pain, and give you tools to get moving forward in various facets of body, mind and spirit. This is a three session series and not a drop-in event. Nancy Johnson Rauen, PT, DPT, has many years of experience working with pain management as a physical therapist. She is owner of Intuition Physical Therapy, an outpatient clinic in Rochester and practices in the hospital setting at Mayo Clinic. Bhakti Yoga: The Yoga of Devotion and Love March 3, 9:00-11:00am Donations appreciated Bhakti yoga celebrates our relationship with that which is greater than we are our Higher Power through devotion to that eternal flame of love within us. We express this devotion through movement, breath and sound. In this workshop, we will begin our Bhakti yoga with a gentle heart-opening practice and the breathe work of devotion. We will explore Bhakti in sound, with mantra and call and response. We will conclude with thoughts on how to infuse Bhakti into all aspect of our lives and out into our world. 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 Experiencing Soul Collage March 5, 6:30-8:00pm $20 preregistered/prepaid. See page 10 for description. Puzzled? March 6, 2:30-3:30pm Donations appreciated A balanced life has many levels of involvement for health and well-being. An overlooked aspect is play. Play encourages us to slow down, giving some distance from brainwork and bringing a renewed openness to laughter and fun! Come enjoy a date with a puzzle! Find puzzles of all sorts to play away your afternoon! Join Mike Snyder, a Rochester metagrobologist, as he shares a portion of his collection of nearly 2000 puzzles. Mike retired from engineering optics. His interest in solving puzzles began years ago, but intensified while he was attending a boring MIT workshop and wandered off to a puzzle shop! His other hobby is woodcarving. Women Helping Women: Building Lives March 8, 6:00-8:30pm $24 pre-registered/pre-paid, includes a light supper. No registration at the door. Join us for an evening with extraordinary gifted women telling the incredible ways in which they have made a difference by empowering others to move forward despite the odds against them. Yuliya Antopova Elder turned her own story into a philanthropic project connecting with her home country of the Soviet Union. Jo Marie Morris is Executive Director of Jeremiah Program, dedicated to creating a path out of poverty for low-income single mothers in Southeastern Minnesota, transforming lives two generations at a time. Teri Sanneman and Kay Anderson are members of CHAMPS (Connecting Hope and Medicine to People of Haiti) whose mission is to improve the quality of life for the Haitian people in rural villages. Their vision and commitment connects with the Haitian community leaders to heal, empower and enhance the quality of life. They do so by medical, local service programs, cultural and educational enrichment opportunities. 18

19 In the Footprints of Francis and the Sultan: A Model for Peacemaking March 10, 9:00am-12:00pm Donations appreciated This program will utilize a two-part film to examine the contemporary issues of interfaith interaction and understanding. The film follows Francis of Assisi as he travels to the Middle East to meet Sultan Malek al Kamil in 1219, during the height of the Fifth Crusade. Just change the names of the actors and substitute who is fighting who for power and dominance, and this story would be all over social media today. Few, if any, have gone to talk to the enemy about peace in the middle of a bloody war. Yet Francis of Assisi, in 1219, entered the camp of Sultan Malek al-kamil, and this story is being told 800 years later. Their respectful dialogue and efforts on behalf of peace speak a wisdom of how to negotiate interreligious misunderstanding, hostility and intolerance between conflicting peoples. The film will open up this remarkable encounter as participant s dialogue with one another about its timely message. Facilitators are Rana Makati and Sister Kathy Warren, OSF. Co-sponsored with the Rochester Muslim Community Circle. Death Café March 20, 6:30-8:00pm Donations appreciated Join us for a Death Café, an event where people drink tea, eat cake and discuss death. Death Cafés have been created as an avenue to increase awareness of death to help people make the most of their (finite) lives. A Death Café is not a support group, nor is it a place where someone is trying to promote a philosophy or sell you anything. Topics are determined by the participants. Join us for an evening of life-giving conversation and fun! Facilitator Audrey Lukasak is an ordained ELCA pastor and has worked in hospice, hospital chaplaincy, and parish ministry. Luncheon with Broadway! Showboat March 23, 10:30am-12:00pm $15 preregistered/prepaid includes lunch. No registration at the door. We will focus on the musical theater from the 1900 s thru the 1920 s, including Showboat. The works of Jerome Kern, the Gershwin s and Irving Berlin will be featured. Frank McIlmail grew up in the shadow of Broadway in New York City. His teenage jobs kept him close to the stage and drove his fascination with Broadway Musicals. His wife Judy s interest fuels his enthusiasm. 19

20 All in the Family: Generations Living Under One Roof April 5, 5:00-8:00pm $10 preregistered/prepaid, includes a light supper. No registrations at the door. Not every household fits into the single-family dwelling mode. Some arrangements are by choice and tradition; others provide temporary, as well as long-term, solution to financial struggles, personal challenges, aging and employment issues; while some are caring for young children and/or aging parents. Join us as our panelists discuss the joy and the challenges of multiple generations living under one roof. Panelists include: Kathy Flippin, grandparent raising a child; Yuwatey Suy, caring for an aging mother of another culture; and Nancy Becker, foster care and adoption parent. They compare stories of the everyday events and experiences, the trials, the successes, and winning opportunities of emotional growth and bonding. This program is offered in partnership with Women on Wednesday, usually hosted at Mayo Civic Theater but scheduled this time it's on Thursday and at Assisi Heights! 20 The Beguines: Modern Phenomenon in a Medieval World April 9, 2:30-4:00pm and 6:30-8:00pm Donations appreciated The Beguines were religious women with vows, but with uncommon freedom for women of the Middle Ages and beyond. Their members included visionary women, mystics, teachers, nurses, educated and uneducated women of faith. They were often defined by what they were not, and at times suffered persecution from Church authorities for their audacity. This talk will present a brief visit to some beguinages (the residences of these women), particularly in Belgium. Sister Helen Rolfson is professor emerita of theology at St. John s University. She is a translator and member of the editorial board of the works of the 14th Century Flemish mystic, Jon van Ruusbroec, an ecumenist. She has had the opportunity to visit many of the sites associated with the Beguines and to read works written by some of them, as well as to talk informally with some of the last living examples of this style on life in Belgium.

21 Book Discussion: "On Forgiveness" by Robert Holloway April 10 and 24, 11:30am-1:30pm $12 preregistered/prepaid includes a light lunch. No registration at the door. With the subtitle, How can We Forgive the Unforgiveable? the author carves a path between rants and piety, offering simple compelling reflections on the topic of forgiveness. This book is for those who practice religion but also for those who consider themselves spiritual but not religious. The author believes that is it necessary to redeem the future, because human frailty at times chooses in error, and thus must engage the capacity to forgive and transcend it. Sister Claren Sellner and Cojourner Mary Wellik will guide the discussion. Both are avid readers and enjoy a good book discussion. Image credit: Luncheon with Broadway! "My Fair Lady and Camelot " April 13, 10:30am-12:00pm $15 preregistered/prepaid, includes lunch. No registration at the door. This session will feature the Rodgers and Hammerstein years, highlighting their famous musicals and their contributions to the musical theater, along with Lerner & Lowe and their plays My Fair Lady and Camelot. Frank McIlmail grew up in the shadow of Broadway in New York City. His teenage jobs kept him close to the stage and drove his fascination with Broadway Musicals. His wife Judy s interest fuels his enthusiasm. 21

22 Zen Origami April 14, 9:00-11:00am $10 preregistered/prepaid. $15 at the door. The word Zen comes from the Sanskrit word "Dhyana" which means meditation. Zen has evolved to become synonymous with the calm and balanced state of being that comes from meditative practices. This calmness is something many desire in our hectic world. Zen Origami will create, for you, a wonderfully meditative experience. It is a way to let go of your stressors and distractions and bring you to a place of serenity. The beautiful form you create will remind you of the importance of simply taking quiet mental time away from your daily worries to find peace of mind. Sister Rita Brom is a Franciscan with a heart for art! As a nature lover, she always searches for God s face in the elements of creation. She is a gardener, a chef, woodcarver, naturalist, teacher, watercolor artist, graphic designer, and today brings the delicacy of folding to meditation. Image credit: The Happiness Project April 16, 2:00-4:00pm $10 preregistered/prepaid. $15 at the door. Have you ever asked yourself, Am I really happy? Author Gretchen Rubin asked herself that question, and so began her journey to identify strategies that can improve or enhance your happiness. She wrote the book, The Happiness Project. In this class, we will look at what her research tells us about how to improve our happiness. She looks at the 12 months of the year and identifies methods to help you find your way to more contentment and happiness each month. Come join us to look at these 12 strategies and begin to look at ways to incorporate them into your life. Barb Schroeder will lead this class. Barb retired after 40 years at Mayo Clinic. She has used the ideas from this book for patients dealing with cancer and organ transplant. This class has been helpful for caregivers and all of us who want to make the most of each day. 22

23 Native Plants and Pollinators April 19, 6:30-8:00pm $10 preregistered/prepaid. $15 at the door. Native plants are ones that occur naturally in a particular region, ecosystem or habitat with no direct or indirect human intervention. They are indigenous and form symbiotic relationships with wildlife life in the bioregion. They attract and support bees, butterflies and pollinators, which are key to our food supply. Kaitlyn O Connor is the Educational Outreach Specialist at Prairie Moon Nursery, which offers over 700 native species for the woodland, wetland and prairie. She has spent her life in the SE Minnesota Driftless region, growing up in Plainview, attending Winona State University and now homesteading near Witoka. Her favorite pollinator is the White-lined Sphinx Moth. Sister Joyce Rupp: Boundless Compassion April 23, 6:30-8:30pm Donations appreciated 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 in order to live more compassionately? Sister Joyce Rupp will present a vision of life based on the gospels with a compassionate approach to societal issues today. This retreat flows from her recently published book on compassion, offering practical approaches to changing hearts and reinvigorating hope amid the current quagmire of discouragement. During this retreat, Sister 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 traditions in order to explore the process of becoming a more peaceful and complete human being. 23

24 Countering the Spirituality of America's Permanent Warfare State April 25, 6:30-8:00pm $10 preregistered/prepaid. $15 at the door. The United States had become a permanent warfare state and very few people seem to notice or care. He will focus on how and why the U.S. became a permanent warfare state, the distorted spirituality that gave rise to normalizing permanent war, and lay out the counters of an alternative spirituality. Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer is an Associate Professor of Justice and Peace Studies at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul. A graduate of St. Olaf College, he majored in Political Science. He attended theological training at Union Theological Seminary in New York City where he received a Master of Divinity. His present concerns include: how and why the U.S. became a warfare state with few seeming to care; alternatives to violence; climate change; ecological challenges; inequality and pathways to social change. 24 Image credit: Luncheon with Broadway! Phantom of the Opera April 27, 10:30am-12:00pm $15 preregistered/prepaid, includes lunch. No registration at the door. This discussion will look at Andrew Lloyd Weber s The Phantom of the Opera and the British influence on the American musicals. Stars such as Ethyl Merman, Mary Martin, Carol Channing and others will conjure up memories of those wonderful theatrical experiences. You will leave Assisi Heights tapping your toes. Frank McIlmail grew up in the shadow of Broadway in New York City. His teenage jobs kept him close to the stage and drove his fascination with Broadway Musicals. His wife Judy s interest fuels his enthusiasm.

25 The Art of Seeing April 28, 9:00am-4:00pm $45 preregistered/prepaid, includes lunch. No registration at the door. Before the eye on the camera captures a single image, the person behind the lens must first use their creative eye. The best camera alone will not guarantee success if the photographer is lacking a discerning eye. In The Art of Seeing workshop, the various elements needed to compose a successful image will be explored. Being aware of these elements will start to change the way you visualize your subjects and environment. This session includes a discussion about developing skills of seeing with a creative eye. A photo project will be assigned followed by a group review and critique of images by the class participants. What makes a successful or unsuccessful image will be shared. Giving and receiving feedback is a valuable step in developing the skill of seeing and capturing quality images. Mary Ayshford developed a passion for art at an early age leading her to study of fine arts at the University of Minnesota. Mary's career in graphic design and as an art director career spans 31 years working at Mayo Clinic. Currently, she is working on special projects in the field. Mary has had many opportunities working with talented photographers to hone her love of photography and her endless quest to capture quality images. Coming Soon! Pocket Watercolor Accordion Journal Workshop with National Artist Tara Sweeney May 4, 7:00-9:00pm and May 5, 9:00am-4:00pm (1 hour lunch break) $110 preregistered/prepaid. Get started sketching and writing in an accordion fold, pocket-sized watercolor journal. No prior experience necessary. While walking outside, look inward to explore how the natural world can inspire and expand art-making, storytelling, memory, and spirit. Learn the basics of mingling watercolor and ink as you sketch and respond to simple writing prompts in the contemplative setting of Assisi Heights. Instructor demonstrations, individualized feedback, and time to create will get you started on combining keen observation, sketching, and journaling in a uniquely personal record of this special place and time. (Materials list provided at registration.) Instructor Tara Sweeney, is an awardwinning teaching artist and writer who has been creating with pocket-sized supplies for nearly forty years. To see her work visit: tarasweeneyart.com. May 7: 10 Months on the Borders: Jane Greil May 12: Mother's Day Tea 25

26 Volunteer Opportunities! Would you like to volunteer at Assisi Heights? We have opportunities to fit most schedules. Activities such as art classes, music sessions, art appreciation, registering participants for Spirituality Center programs, movies and more. Weekly or monthly celebration events are an option. Volunteer on your own or with a friend. Orientation provided. Performers, do you have a talent to share? Music, dance, magic, bird calls or another talent you would like to share. We welcome you group s dress rehearsal here. For more information call ext. 231 or kim.jaworski@assisiheights.org. 26

27 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 27

28 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

29 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 29

30 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 30

31 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

32 Sisters of St. Francis Assisi Heights Spirituality Center th Street NW, Suite 100 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