The Essence of Assisi

Transcription

1 Sisters of Saint Francis Rochester, MN The Essence of Assisi Assisi Heights Spirituality Center Vol. 04, No. 01 Winter / Spring 2012 Upcoming Programs February 9: Can we talk about it? (The journey of end of life issues,) February 14: Embraceable You: A Valentine s Evening for Married Couples February 17: Nurturing the Body and Attending the Soul: A Silent Meditation Retreat February 24: Sacred Threads: Quilting as a Sacred Art Form March 3: The Life and Spirituality of Dorothy Day March 8: International Women s Day Can we talk about it?* Thursday, February 9, 2012, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm, 10. Pre-registration recommended by Monday, February 6, From his expertise in communication, Dr. Alan Fleischmann will reflect how the physician, family, and caregivers can meet the wishes of the individual experiencing the dying process. Communication can assure that everyone involved is moving toward the same goal. His talk will be followed by panel members who are engaged in end of life care-giving. Joyce Meyer, BSN and Sister Michaeline Healy, PBVM will respond from their roles as nurses and pastoral care ministers assisting the family in these end of life experiences. Certificate of attendance granted. Note: informational booths open at 5:30 pm. Alan Fleischmann, MD, is a Medical Vice President of the Mayo Clinic Health System, Franciscan Healthcare, La Crosse, WI, and a family physician who practiced in Caledonia, MN, for 19 years. He has responsibility for Service Excellence of Franciscan Healthcare, La Crosse, WI, and for both Service Excellence and Professionalism for the Mayo Clinic Health System. *The journey of end of life issues. The second program of this series will be a full day for professionals, May 8, Dr. Ed Creagan, MD will deliver the keynote address titled, The Power of Relationships: What we can learn from patients at the end of life. March 28: Creating a Group Mandala for Insight, Healing and Self-Expression April 21: Seed of Creation: Your Spiritual Self April 22: Celebrate Earth Day: A Walk at Assisi Heights Embraceable You: A Valentine s Evening for Married Couples Tuesday, February 14, 2012, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm 75 per couple includes dinner and program. Pre-registration required by Tuesday, February 7, Enjoy a candlelight dinner in the quiet and serenity of Assisi Heights and the hospitality of the Sisters of Saint Francis. After dinner, Joe O Toole along with his wife, Marie, will reflect on the valentine concept of embracing the one you love and the theological concept of being embraced in God s unconditional love. Married couples from all faiths are welcome.

2 Nurturing the Body and Attending the Soul: A Silent Meditation Retreat Friday, February 17, 2012, 7:00-9:00 pm Saturday, February 18, 2012, 8:30 am - 3:30 pm 75 includes breaks and lunch on Saturday. Partial scholarships available. Optional overnight accomodations: 25. Use meditation practices in a group setting to go deeper into your inner silence, prayer and reflection. Personal reflection time will be enriched with inspiring readings and meditations. Whether you are new or seasoned in the art of meditation, this retreat will benefit all. Spiritual Directors will be available for optional one-to-one visits. Please wear comfortable clothing and bring your own meditation resources. Our presenters: Sister Mary Eliot Crowley, OSF, has been quilting for 12 years. Having first hand quilted a queen-sized log cabin quilt, she has since been doing smaller projects. The gift that quilting is to the quilter, as well as the recipient, keeps her cutting and sewing intentionally with every project. Kathy Flippin has been quilting for over 20 years. She will provide learning opportunities throughout the weekend for all those interested. Franciscan Sister Linda Wieser has been a Spiritual Director and Retreat Director for over 35 years and is also a Certified Life Coach and Wellness Coach. Linda has a Masters degree in Pastoral Ministry from Creighton University with extensive studies in spiritual direction and holistic body therapy. She works at Riverseasons, LLC, an integrative healing center ( in Rochester, MN. Sacred Threads: Quilting as a Sacred Art Form Friday, February 24, 2012, 4:00 pm through Sunday, February 26, 2012, 3:00 pm 165 includes overnight accommodations for two nights. 115 for commuters. Non-refundable registration fee of 50 is due February 1, Final Payment due February 20, Quilters often view their work as a spiritual experience. During this retreat, there will be input and time to reflect on the spiritual journey inspired by quilting. Bring your new or current quilting project and supplies. The Life and Spirituality of Dorothy Day Saturday, March 3, 2012, 9:00 am - 3:30 pm 45 includes lunch and snacks. Pre-registration required by February 24, This retreat will focus on Dorothy Day s embodiment of the works of mercy and the gratitude with which she lived. There will be time for silence and reflection and interaction with the presenter. Using Dorothy s inner life and outer experiences as a lens, participants will explore their own spiritual journeys. Lisa Wagner-Carollo is the founder and director of Chicago s Still Point Theatre Collective. For twenty years she has toured the country and overseas with Haunted by God: The Life of Dorothy Day. While researching the play, she lived with the St. Catherine of Genoa Catholic Worker community for two years. Continued on next column 2

3 REGISTRATION FORM Event Date Event Name Cost Total Thurs., February 9 Can we talk about it? The journey of end of life issues. 10 Tues., February 14 Embraceable You: A Valentine s Evening for Married Couples 75 per couple includes dinner & program Fri., February 17 Sat., February 18 Nurturing the Body and Attending the Soul: A Silent Meditation Retreat 75 includes breaks and lunch on Saturday Optional overnight accommodations: 25 Fri., February 24 Sat., February 26 Sacred Threads: Quilting as a Sacred Art Form Note: Non refundable deposit of 50 due 2/1/ includes overnight accommodations for two nights for commuters Sat., March 3 The Life and Spirituality of Dorothy Day 45 includes breaks and lunch Thurs., March 8 International Women s Day Event 25 includes light supper Wed., March 28 Creating a Group Mandala for Insight, Healing and Self-Expression 25 Sat., April 21 Seed of Creation: Your Spiritual Self 45 includes light lunch Sun., April 22 Celebrate Earth Day: A Walk at Assisi Heights Free will donation 2012 Rochester Franciscan Calendar 9.95 TO REGISTER: Enclose this form and a check payable to AHSC. Name: Address: City: Total Amount Due: State: Zip: Check # Register Online! Click What s Happening/Events - Event Listing Send to: AHSC Coordinator, Assisi Heights Spirituality Center th Street NW Rochester, MN Phone: enclosed in the amount of Questions? Call or ahsc@rochesterfranciscan.org Follow us on Facebook! Keep up-to-date on Events at Assisi Heights Spirituality Center search Rochester Franciscans 3

4 Assisi Heights Spirituality Center th Street NW Rochester, MN Thank you! Please refer any questions to: AHSC Coordinator or Please be sure to seal all sides of this form if enclosing payment by check FOLD HERE SO THE INFORMATION ABOVE IS INSIDE FOLD HERE SO THE INFORMATION BELOW IS OUTSIDE Place Stamp Here Assisi Heights Spirituality Center

5 International Women s Day Event Seed of Creation: Your Spiritual Self Thursday, March 8, 2012, 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm 25 includes light supper. Registration required by March 2, Saturday, April 21, :00 am - 2:00 pm. 45 includes lunch and breaks. Registration recommended by April 13, Sister Marlys Jax will facilitate a panel of women speaking on how their diverse spiritualities have contributed to their personal growth and empowered them in leadership. Imagine a seed of creation within your Self yet undiscovered. What are the possibilities for its growth and fulfillment? All are welcome to join this integrative experience that will be a combination of visual art, music, writing, movement, quiet reflection, group sharing and discussion. Being a part of the day will plant your intention toward the fullness of your creative spiritual Self. Creating a Group Mandala for Insight, Healing and Self-Expression Wednesday, March 28, 2012, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm 25. Registration recommended by March 21, What is a Mandala? It is an ancient magic circle which, when created, helps one to center and challenge oneself to become the person each is meant to be. In this session each person is invited to create a small part of a group Mandala with the theme Peace. You will take home your piece of the whole and a photo of the completed large Mandala. No artistic ability is needed; just an open heart and willingness to explore possibilities. Please bring your own drawing materials. Paper will be provided. Sister Bernadine Jax, OSF, teaches Mandala classes and sells her watercolors, photography and mandalas at SEMVA Art Gallery and at the Assisi Heights Gift Shop in Rochester, MN. Artist, musician, art therapist, spiritual director, teacher and workshop facilitator, Lavonne Lovstad seeks to integrate the whole person in her presentations. She brings versatility, compassion and healing to her work with individuals and groups. Celebrate Earth Day: A Walk at Assisi Heights Sunday, April 22, 2012, 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm Free will donation. Registration recommended by April 13, Come, see the beauty and variety of living things at Assisi Heights. This Sunday afternoon walking tour will be led by one of the Sisters who spends her summer days gardening, caring for the flower beds, grounds, and much of the outside beauty of The Heights! Sister Mary Goergen, OSF, spends six months of the year tending the plants and beauty of the outdoors at Assisi Heights. Her daily presence with creation has formed her into a real contemplative in the midst of nature. She is delighted to share all that she has come to love. 5

6 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: INDIVIDUAL DAYS OF QUIET AND PRAYER Do you desire the opportunity to escape the hectic pace of daily life? If so, now is the time to schedule a day of quiet and rest at Assisi Heights. We welcome you to experience our surroundings for a day spent in quiet and prayer. Once your date has been confirmed, we suggest that you arrive at the reception desk between 8:30-9:00 am. You will have a private room, lunch and access to Lourdes Chapel and Assisi Heights Life Library, as well as acres of outside beauty to explore. If requested, we can arrange a meeting with a spiritual companion during that day for 20. To ensure space availability, we request that you make reservations at least a week in advance. Contact the AHSC Coordinator at or ahsc@rochesterfranciscan.org. Suggested donation: 25. As we begin the New Year, there will be a new staff/team assuming responsibilities for the Assisi Heights Spirituality Center. Thank you for your support of me and the programs we sponsored in the years I have been here. You have helped make the AHSC a success and I am grateful. Carol Marie Hemish, SSND, Coordinator Looking for a new Venue for your next Meeting or Event? Look no further... We are here for you. We ve created a peaceful atmosphere, conducive to open dialogue, prayer, idea exchange and contemplation. Let your worldly concerns slide away as you approach the drive to Assisi Heights. The serenity of our surroundings will embrace you and lift your spirits. Come explore the possibilities.