The Essence of Assisi

Transcription

1 Sisters of Saint Francis Rochester, MN The Essence of Assisi Assisi Heights Spirituality Center Vol. 07, No. 01 January - August 2015 Lectio Divina January 12, February 2, March 2, 7:00-8:00pm Free will offering. Lectio Divina, translated sacred reading, is a traditional monastic practice of a four-step prayer. The process includes reading, reflection or meditation, prayer and response, and resting in God. The objective of this prayer is not to cover a certain amount of text or to focus on quantity. Rather, the goal is to be in the presence of God. Come, drop-in for an hour and join the company of others seeking God in quiet prayer. T ai Chi Chih Winter and Spring Beginner s Class January 20, 27, February 3, 10, 17, 24, and March 3, 10, 10:00-11:30am $45 per person, includes all 8 sessions. Continuing Practice January 20, 27, February 3, 10, 17, 24, and March 3, 10, 8:45-9:45am March 31, April 7, 14, 21, 28, and May 5, 12, 19, 8:45-9:45am April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, and May 7, 14, 21, 6:00-7:00pm $40 per person, includes all 8 sessions. Do you desire less stress in your daily life? Consider circulating or balancing your intrinsic energy or chi, as the Chinese call it, in the peacefulness of Assisi Heights. Learn a set of 19 easy, slow moving movements and one pose that are practiced around the globe. It is adaptable to any and every physical condition, and age. It can be done seated or standing and requires no special dress or equipment. The advantages include greater flexibility, better health and reduced stress. Judy Trousdell is an accredited T ai Chi Chih instructor. As a T ai Chi Chih practitioner for many years, it helped her relieve the stress of her software programming career, as well as providing many other health benefits. Creating the Happiness You Seek January 20, 7:00-8:30pm $15 per person, book included. Will I survive? Will I be happy again? These are questions Harriet Hodgson asked after she and her husband were left to raise their twin grandchildren while still grieving the loss of their daughter, the twins mother, and three other loved ones. This workshop shares some of the lessons Harriet learned on her journey from sadness to happiness. You are worthy of happiness! Step-by-step, this workshop will help you create the happiness you seek. Attendees will receive Harriet s book, Happy Again! Your New and Meaningful Life after Loss, and a Happiness Tips handout. Harriet Hodgson has been a freelance writer for over 36 years and the author of 33 books. A retired teacher, she has developed many practical skills about healing grief and creating a new life again.

2 Compassionate Living Retreat January Friday: 7:00-9:00pm, Saturday: 9:00am-3:00pm $90 per person, includes refreshments and lunch on Saturday. Optional overnight accommodations with breakfast: $45. Explore empathy, mindfulness, concern, and genuine recognition as some of the elements of compassion. Resources from both neuroscience and spirituality will form the underpinnings of the process, input and personal reflective time and optional sharing. Some topics include: Finding peace and calm in difficult times Neurons of compassion The how of happiness Spiritual path of compassion Compassion as a choice! Linda Wieser is Franciscan Sister with 35 years of experience as a spiritual director and retreat director. In addition, she is a Certified Life and Wellness Coach and works at Riverseasons, LLC, in Rochester, Minnesota. She has a Master s Degree in Pastoral Ministry from Creighton University with extensive studies in spiritual direction and holistic body therapy. Taizé Prayer January 25, April 26, July 26, and October 25 7:00-8:00pm Taizé prayer uses simple chants based on the Scriptures and periods of silence to create an environment for encountering the mystery of God. This form of prayer was started by an intercommunity of monks in Taizé, France, hence the name. It is designed to foster peace and reconciliation amongst all peoples. All faith traditions are welcome. These prayer services, held in Lourdes Chapel, are led by members of St. Luke s Episcopal Church. Color Your Winter Green January 26, February 2, 9, 16, 23, and March 2 2:00-4:00pm $60 per person, includes supplies and all 6 sessions. Leave the winter whites outside your frosted window! Watch the subtle shades of holy gold, cyan, and crimson seek their own pathway on water-wet paper, occasionally guided by the artist s hand. From brush to paper, be amazed at the hidden image revealing itself, bringing life to the blank space! All levels of talent welcome. Supplies provided. Bring watercolor brushes, if you have them, and an old terry towel. Melodee Bahr was born in New York and spent nearly 40 years in all aspects of theater - from front stage to behind the scenes. Artistry, in many forms, developed a wellrounded skill set that led her to teaching and mentoring the artist within. Her style is stress-free, entertaining, reflective and supportive of every/any level of talent. The Sound of Bowls February 5, 6:00-8:30pm $15 per person. Traditional singing bowls produce sounds that evoke deep states of relaxation; naturally assisting us to enter expanded states of consciousness and meditation. The sound creates a deep level of communication with our inner world, which opens us to the divine. The sound may include humming or chanting with the bowls vibrations to deepen the healing, calming and balancing effect of the bowls. Working in this fashion is powerful and rejuvenating. Vibrations with these instruments, together with our inner sounds, will bring us inner calm and deep relaxation which enables us to journey to our center. Wear comfortable clothing. Bring a yoga mat if you wish to sit or lie on the floor. continued... 2 Assisi Heights Spirituality Center

3 Thomas Roberts is a psychotherapist and hypnotherapist in a private practice. He has over 40 years experience in clinical psychotherapy and in his own personal Zen Buddhist practice. He holds licenses as an independent clinical social worker, marriage and family therapist and an addiction counselor. He has been an adjunct professor in psychology, and has offered numerous workshops and retreats to individuals seeking greater depth and meaning in their personal and spiritual journeys. Freedom through Forgiveness February 6-7 Friday: 7:00-9:00pm, Saturday: 9:00am-3:00pm $90 per person, includes refreshments and lunch on Saturday. Optional overnight accommodations with breakfast: $45. Relax in the quiet of sacred space as you process lingering stumbling blocks to achieve greater freedom and joy in life. Shed the pressures of persistent resentments and angers. Let the process of prayer, input, meditation and journaling transform your inner self to know a lifted heart. Forgiveness is a choice! Learn the difference between forgiveness and reconciliation, the eight steps in forgiving another and five steps to forgive yourself. Come home to a new self! Sister Linda Wieser is a Certified Life and Wellness Coach at Riverseasons, LLC, an integrative healing center in Rochester, Minnesota, and has been a spiritual director and retreat director for 35 years. She has a Master s Degree in Pastoral Ministry from Creighton University and extensive studies in spiritual direction, and holistic body therapy. In addition, Linda has been trained at the Midwest Institute for Forgiveness. Need a unique gift idea? Purchase Assisi Heights gift certificates! Available in any denomination, they may be redeemed for events at the Assisi Heights Spirituality Center. For more information, call: Humor in the Habit February 8, 2:00-4:00pm Inclement Weather: February 22, 2:00-4:00pm Come enjoy live Sunday Funnies! Activate your funny bone with Sister stories that make your soul expand. Real life at its best! Hear the history and the supporting evidence for each tale. Spend an entertaining afternoon Nun Such ever recorded! You are guaranteed many a laugh, especially if you are over 50. Bring Grandma! If you have stories that merit telling, the stage welcomes you! Climate Covenant February 10, 7:00-8:30pm Join us to explore the meaning and actions suggested in the Catholic Climate Covenant. The objective is to further understand the connection between care of creation and solidarity with the poor. How can we engage as a community in concrete ways to protect the environment and vulnerable people everywhere? Learn how to build networks to practice environmental stewardship. Members of the local chapter of Franciscans International believe governing by regulation is helpful, but not sustainable. They seek continued... January - August

4 international cooperation to solve the problem of climate change by reducing emissions and helping citizens adapt their behaviors to the current situation. Learn more! Sister Joy Barth is an educator, environmentalist, and local member of Franciscans International. She is passionate about climate changes. Mary Doucette is a Cojourner with the Sisters of Saint Francis, mother, grandmother and has a strong interest in justice and social commitment. Both women search for ways to bring faith and action together regarding our responsibility for evolving our consciousness of the environment. When I Let Go, What is There to Hold On To? Finding Your Way in the Spiritual Landscape February Friday: 7:00-9:00pm, Saturday: 9:00-5:00pm $150 includes overnight accommodations, breakfast and lunch. You are not alone. Many who are on a spiritual journey examine the familiar institutions, teachings, and imperatives that have come with a prescribed religious path. What makes sense when you quiet all the noise of shoulds, expectations, and fears? You come to listen to, embrace, and trust your true nature and the abiding wisdom that has been waiting to emerge in your life! Through various teachings, contemplation, and meditation, you, too, will come to embrace the wisdom that emerges in your life. Life experiences challenge your faith. Come with your questions, confusions, fears, and struggles. With openness, learn to trust your true nature. Thomas Roberts is a psychotherapist and hypnotherapist. He has over 40 years experience in clinical psychotherapy and in his own personal Zen Buddhist practice. He holds licenses as an independent clinical social worker, marriage and family therapist and an addiction counselor. He has been an adjunct psychology professor, and has offered numerous workshops and retreats to individuals seeking greater depth and meaning in their personal and spiritual journeys. 4 Assisi Heights Spirituality Center Qigong February 23, March 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30 6:00-7:00pm $48 per person. Qigong, the art and science of cultivating the body s energy, has been practiced in China for thousands of years as a technique to improve the body s self-healing abilities. The word Qigong breaks into Qi, meaning vitality, energy, life force; and Gong, meaning practice, cultivate, refine. Therefore, Qigong means to cultivate and refine through practice, one s vitality of life force. The Chinese believe that the primary mechanism that is triggered by the practice of Qigong is a spontaneous balancing and enhancing of the natural healing resources in the human system. Qigong practice includes gentle movement with postural alignment, deep breathing techniques, self-applied massage and relaxation/meditation practices. During the session, participants will learn the techniques of Bu Zheng Qigong of Vitality Enhancement Qigong. Bonnie Sokolov is a certified Integral T ai Chi and Qigong teacher, a certified instructor of Dr. Yang Yang Evidence Based Taiji and Qigong, and an accredited instructor of T ai Chi Chih Joy Through Movement. Bonnie began teaching in Rochester in She gives seminars in the Cancer Patient Education Center at Mayo Clinic and currently teaches at the Rochester Area Family YMCA, Assisi Heights Spirituality Center, and through Rochester Community Education. Is Spiritual Direction for You? February 24, 7:00-8:15pm Just what is spiritual direction? Why do people seek spiritual direction? Come and hear one person s perspective on the value of spiritual guidance in her life. We each have our sacred story. Intimacy of the soul can happen when we open ourselves to another and to the Spirit that resides within. Discussion follows. Carol Weisz has worked in the area of pastoral care and is a certified spiritual director. Spiritual direction has been, and continues to be, a vital part of her life and she feels humbled and grateful to accompany others on their spiritual journey. Currently, Carol works part-time with Elder Network, a non-profit organization in Rochester which provides services for seniors and their families. Carol co-facilitates ongoing workshops for caregivers and for people living with any type of chronic condition.

5 title, Pilgrimage into the Last Third of Life, written by Jane Marie Thibault and Richard Morgan. Father Donald J. Schmitz is a well known senior priest who serves as a part-time chaplain at Madonna Towers and Madonna Meadows. He is also on-call for area parishes. He enjoys sharing life experiences with interested seekers over and under sixty years of age. A Slice of Life! Cambodian Immersion Transforms One s View of the World February 26, 7:00-8:30pm Learn about the symbiotic learning and service project format used by students and staff at the local technical college, by interacting with native Cambodians and other non-governmental organizations (NGOs). This program combines travel and study with service as part of an intercultural communication course, which emphasizes practical learning and meaning. One transformational story involves the rescue of a 16 year-old girl from a brothel and how she escaped the human trafficking cycle. Elbow-to-elbow service, and story-sharing with natives and NGOs, broadened the learners compassion, understanding and global awareness. Lori Halverson-Wente is part of the Intercultural Communications Department at Rochester Community and Technical College (RCTC) in Rochester. RCTC s administration understands that globalization demands not just theories and books, but practical learning and meaningful service. Pilgrimage into the Last Third of Life: Seven Gateways to Spiritual Growth February 28, 9:00am-Noon $10 per person. Facing life beyond age sixty does not have to be scary. Use this Lenten time to get a headlong look into opportunities for spiritual growth that is meaningful, doable, and durable. Look at this as a pilgrim approaching seven gateways to a healthier, holier, and holistic life. The presentation is based on a paperback book by the same Eucharist, Then and Now March 3, 10, and 17, 7:00-8:30pm $20 per person. This short course will cover historical understandings of the Eucharist from the Last Supper until the 21st century. Sharing will include our personal grasp of Eucharist at our First Communion to our newer understandings now and where we are on our faith life journey. The basic text for our conversation is Our One Great Act of Fidelity by Ronald Rolheiser. Our presenter, Sister Patricia Keefe, has a Master s Degree in Theology and a Doctorate in Law. She taught college students and has served her religious congregation as an elected leader. As a lawyer, she worked with Legal Aid at Amnesty International, was Director for Justice and Human Development for the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and was a staff member of the Nonviolent Peaceforce. More recently, she served as a member of a residential retreat center team. International Women s Day Grace in the Margins March 5, 6:00-7:30pm $28 per person, includes light supper. Three ordinary women tell their stories of life lived in the real world and their understanding of Grace in the Margins. The fact is that the road taken is the marker for identifying grace in all the business of life. All three can identify that grace, gift, and insight are in the lives they ve lived. continued... January - August

6 Our presenters: Deb Brossoit knows upfront what addiction does to a family because she and her family still live with it. Today, she walks the path to healing. Nisha Kurup was born and raised in India. She has had to face a number of challenges, but is ever grateful to God and to the three heroes in her life that helped her overcome adversity. She is strongly influenced by her Hindu faith and finds grace between the margins. Renae Claeys still feels the emotional experience of seeing a smiling mother reunited with a child that can eat, drink, and speak properly after receiving an altering reconstructive surgery. She helps impoverished children in developing countries. Chair Yoga for the Less Flexible March 5, 12, 19, 26, April 2, and 9 9:30-10:15am $65 per person, includes all sessions. As we age, our bodies become stiff and less flexible from reduced body movement and stress. Don t despair! Through easy and manageable yoga exercises, as well as breathing techniques, we can loosen stiff joints and muscles. Bring a yoga mat and small firm cushion to support your back. Wear comfortable clothing and arrive with a big smile because after yoga class you will feel so GOOD! Catherine Park is a certified Himalayan International Yoga instructor, teaching locally for 27 years. She recently studied yoga therapy for physically challenged persons. THINGS TO KNOW: REGISTRATION Registration for Assisi Heights Spirituality Center events may be completed online. Please visit our website at and select the What s Happening/Events category. We accept Visa and MasterCard for all online registrations and require payment in full. If you would like to pay by check or cash, please register by at ahsc@rochesterfranciscan.org, by phone at , or mail in the enclosed form. 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 $35 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 to inquire about scholarship availability. We do not offer scholarships for personal retreats. MEETING ROOMS Assisi Heights has a variety of rooms available for meetings and events. We can accommodate groups from with on-site catering. 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 Hanson at Assisi Heights Spirituality Center

7 AHSC Registration Form: January - August 2015 Date Name of Event Cost Amt. Jan. 12, Feb. 2, March 2 Lectio Divina Free will offering. Jan. 20, 27, Feb. 3, 10, T ai Chi Chih - Winter and Spring $45 per person, includes all 8 sessions. 17, 24, March 3, 10 Beginner s Class Jan. 20, 27, Feb. 3, 10, 17, 24, March 3, 10 March 31, April 7, 14, 21, 28, & May 5, 12, 19 April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, & May 7, 14, 21 T ai Chi Chih - Winter and Spring Continuing Practice T ai Chi Chih - Winter and Spring Continuing Practice T ai Chi Chih - Winter and Spring Continuing Practice $40 per person, includes all 8 sessions. $40 per person, includes all 8 sessions. $40 per person, includes all 8 sessions. Jan. 20 Creating the Happiness You Seek $15 per person, book included. Jan Compassionate Living Retreat $90 per person, includes refreshments and lunch on Saturday. Optional overnight accommodations with breakfast: $45 Jan. 25, April 26, July 26 Taizé Prayer & Oct. 25 Jan. 26, Feb. 2, 9, 16, 23, & March 2 Color Your Winter Green $60 per person, includes supplies and all 6 sessions. Feb. 5 The Sound of Bowls $15 per person. Feb. 6-7 Freedom through Forgiveness $90 per person, includes refreshments and lunch on Saturday. Optional overnight accommodations with breakfast: $45 Feb. 8 Humor in the Habit Feb. 10 Climate Covenant Feb Feb. 23, March 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30 When I Let Go, What is There to Hold On To? Finding Your Way in the Spiritual Landscape Qigong $150 includes overnight accommodations, breakfast, and lunch. $48 per person. Feb. 24 Is Spiritual Direction for You? Feb. 26 A Slice of Life! Cambodian Immersion Transforms One s View of the World Feb. 28 Pilgrimage into the Last Third of Life: Seven Gateways to Spiritual Growth $10 per person. March 3, 10, and 17 Eucharist, Then and Now $20 per person, includes all sessions. March 5 International Women s Day: Grace in the Margins $28 per person, includes light supper. March 5, 12, 19, 26, Chair Yoga for the Less Flexible $65 per person, includes all sessions. April 2 and 9 March 7 and 14 Biblical Women Naughty or Nice: God Speaks through Both $16 per person. March 10, April 14, and Meet and Read with a Bunch for Lunch! $36 per person, includes lunch. May 12 March 14 Meditation: Opening Windows to the Unexpected $30 per person. March 18 Lent: A Close Encounter with Grace! $15 per person, includes lunch. March 23 Sharing Herstory: A Celebration of Women s History Month $10 per person. March 26 A Slice of Life: I Believed... Now I Thrive! March Embracing the Chaos: Furthering our Spiritual Process $150 per person, includes overnight accommodations, breakfast, and lunch. March 28, April 18 Create Your Own Walking Stick $25 per person. April 3 Holy Discontent: Stations of the Cross through the Lens of Social Conscience April 7 Twelve Things You Can Do to Heal the Earth $10 per person. January - August

8 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7... AHSC Registration Form: January - August 2015 Date Name of Event Cost Amt. April 11 Rx: Grit and Resilience. Surviving 21st Century Stress $24 per person, includes lunch. $12 per person, without lunch. April 13 A Slice of Life! Karen Edmonds and the Project Legacy May, June, July, and August Drop-in Gentle Yoga Please call for dates. $10 per person, per session. April 16 Pre-Retreat - Quilting: The Art of Piece Making Commuter: $35 per person, includes meal. Overnight: $70 per person, includes accommodations, and meals. April Quilting: The Art of Piece Making Retreat Commuter: $130 per person, includes meals. Overnight: $200 per person, includes accommodations, and meals. April 20 Stations of the Forest April 28 Caregiving: Coping with Compassion Fatigue $8 per person. May 2 Mother s Day Tea. Please include guests names when registering. $32 per person. May 7-10 Mindfulness Retreat: An Invitation to the Journey $150 per person, includes accommodations, and meals. May The Illuminating Photograph: The Elements of Visual Design $230 per person. May 30, June 9, or Aug. 3 Earth Tour Specify which date: $8 per person. June 6, July 20, or Aug. 5 Architectural Tour Specify which date: $10 per person. June 13 Family Festival: Exploring Nature on Walnut Hill $25 for family of four. $8 for each additional person. June 15 Labyrinth Meditation in Slow Motion $10 per person. June 23 Tree Identification for Beginners $5 per person. July 16 Mandala s for Kids! $25 per child. July 7, 14, 21, 28, and T ai Chi Chih Summer Session $45 per person, includes all 8 sessions. August 4, 11, 18 & 25 August The Enchanted Garden: $50 per child. An Afternoon Garden Party at Assisi Heights Charm School August 20 Grandma s Garden Tour and Tea $25 per person, includes luncheon. Jan. 21, Feb. 18, Mar. 18, April 3, or May 20 Day of Solitude at Assisi Heights Specify what day(s): $12 per person, per retreat day, includes lunch. Name: Address: City: State: Zip: Phone: Total Amount Due: $ Check # enclosed in the amount of $ TO REGISTER: Mail this form and a check payable to: AHSC. Send to: Angie Grimm AHSC Event Coordinator Assisi Heights Spirituality Center th Street NW Rochester, MN Questions? Call or ahsc@rochesterfranciscan.org To register online: and click on What s Happening/Events Total:

9 Biblical Women Naughty or Nice: God Speaks through Both March 7 and14, 9:30-11:30am $16 per person. The Study of Biblical women continues with a new series of six individuals. Some of the women are considered to be women of questionable virtue. They have been seen as victims. Rather than helpless casualties, they are redeemable human beings with a message. Their stories help us to understand the culture of the time and the lessons they offer us today. Travel though the past and gain insight to the future! The last session includes a guest appearance. Sister Valerie Kilian holds a Bachelor s Degree in Education and a Master s Degree in Pastoral Studies and has taken advanced studies at the Denver Biblical Institute in Colorado. She has served in various parishes as pastoral associate. Meet and Read with a Bunch for Lunch! March 10, April 14, and May 12, 11:30am-1:00pm $36 per person, includes lunch. Back by growing demand! Enjoy a light lunch with a lively discussion of a book that can impact how we look at the world and the people who live in it! Bring your experience and add dimension to the changing conversation. Please read the selection prior to the monthly discussion. March 10: Philomena by Martin Sixsmith April 14: The Broken Cord by Michael Dorris May 12: Living the Lord s Prayer by Albert Hasse, OFM Sister Claren Sellner holds a Bachelor s Degree in Education and a Master s Degree in Pastoral Studies. She is an avid reader and regular patron of the library. Joan Wisniewski has a Bachelor s Degree in Education and a Master s Degree in Counseling. She serves as a school counselor. In addition to reading books, she is a frequent traveler and certified yoga teacher. Meditation: Opening Windows to the Unexpected March 14, 9:00am-Noon $30 per person. Come all ye who seek quiet time, and delight in silent mediation. The retreat will focus on silence as a way to listen attentively and to know the inner stillness which allows the whispering voice of the Holy One to be heard. Come, listen, and experience the blessings of dwelling in this Holy Presence. Whether you are seasoned in the art of mediation or new to the practice, this retreat will open new windows to your spirit. Wear comfortable clothing and bring your favorite resources if you wish. Sister Linda Wieser is a certified spiritual director, and retreat director for more than 35 years. She is also a certified life coach, wellness coach and holistic body therapist at Riverseasons, LLC, a local integrative healing center. She has taught mediation in a variety of settings for health professionals, businesses and faith traditions. Lent: A Close Encounter With Grace! March 18, 9:15am-12:15pm $15 per person, includes lunch. Navigating everyday variables is just part of the course of life! Lent offers the opportunity to find that path to wholeness. Discovering the pathway, losing the way, recovering yourself, reflecting on the meaning, and staying with the course are all part of the pilgrim s route. Along the way you can identify the grace found in the margins and realize it is a close encounter! This halfday will include reflection by Sister JoAnn, silent prayer, Eucharistic Liturgy, lunch and some time to linger in the quiet, if you like. Sister JoAnn Haney is a certified spiritual director, and retreat director. She has a Master s Degree in Christian Spirituality. She was the program director at a spiritual renewal center in New Mexico. Sister JoAnn has also served as campus minister and rector at several colleges and universities. Currently, she serves on staff at Holy Spirit Retreat Center in Janesville, Minnesota. January - August

10 Sharing Herstory: A Celebration of Women s History Month March 23, 7:00-8:30pm $10 per person. History books frequently overlook the significant and inspirational contributions made by women. Join us for a celebration of women s stories, some well-known, and some you probably never have heard. A few notable women of the past will make appearances. Virginia Wright-Peterson teaches writing at University of Minnesota Rochester and is in the process of writing a book, Women of Mayo Clinic: The Founding Generation. A Slice of Life: I Believed Now I Thrive! March 26, 7:00-8:00pm Hear a personal story of surviving and thriving. Elizabeth has discovered a beauty within her and desires to give it away! Recovering from an eating disorder called anorexia, she now knows that how you get to repossess life is by beginning at the very beginning with do, re, mi. An eating disorder is just one slice of her life, and one from which she has learned will not hold her back, but rather thrust her forward. Meet Elizabeth Frankel, Century High School Senior, poised to give hope to the world. A giving person at her very core, she volunteers at Hawthorne School as a writing tutor, assists at RideAbility (therapeutic riding for persons with special needs) and is the organizer/leader in FREED (Face, Recognize, Educate about Eating Disorders) at Century High School. She hopes to get for further education to become a clinical psychologist advocating others with eating disorders. 10 Assisi Heights Spirituality Center Embracing the Chaos: Furthering our Spiritual Process March Friday: 7:00-9:00pm, Saturday: 9:00am-5:00pm $150 per person, includes overnight, breakfast, and lunch. How often do we feel at the mercy of the events of our lives? Does it seem like chaos is running the show? So much of our emotional, physical, and spiritual energies are spent trying to limit and control chaos. We insist that our life goes as we want, and we resist when it doesn t. The result is a chronic feeling that our life is constantly being derailed. We seek solutions and answers, rather than learn that the chaos is our path to spiritual growth, depth, and meaning. In this retreat we will explore chaos with patience, openness, and compassion. We will see how to relate to chaos more positively and further our spiritual progress. Thomas Roberts is a psychotherapist and hypnotherapist in a private practice with over 40 years experience in clinical psychotherapy. He holds licenses as an independent clinical social worker, marriage and family therapist and an addiction counselor. He has been an adjunct psychology professor, and has offered numerous workshops and retreats to individuals seeking greater depth and meaning in their personal and spiritual journeys. Create Your Own Walking Stick March 28, 8:00-10:30am and April 18, 1:00-2:00pm $25 per person. These sessions will be held at Oxbow Park, Byron, Minnesota. Search the woods for a stick that fits your personality. Bends, twists, and curves can tell your story. Explore the linkages of your own pilgrim journey and let this two-session experience create a stick for your walking delight. Wear hiking apparel and boots. Bring a pocket knife and an open spirit. The second session will necessitate accessorizing the finishing touches! continued...

11 Sister Rita Brom is an outdoors woman, a volunteer Naturalist at Oxbow Park where she develops educational programs for persons of all ages. An accomplished wildlife artist, she works in multiple mediums. Most of all, she is a free spirit! Holy Discontent: Stations of the Cross Through the Lens of Social Conscience April 3, 7:00-8:30pm This Good Friday service weaves the familiar story of Jesus on the way to Calvary. We will examine 14 current-day issues that include poverty, immigration, health care, unemployment and human trafficking. You will find these present-day stories mirror Jesus personal journey. This Lenten prayer tradition will help you understand these issues as you elevate your social consciousness. Presented by Holy Ground catholic community. Twelve Things You Can Do to Heal the Earth April 7, 7:00-8:30pm $10 per person. Permaculture is a philosophy and a life-approach based on abundance, balance and cycles of nature. Susan will share how Squash Blossom Farm is using permaculture principles to create a sustainable community. Learn how the very same techniques can be adapted by anyone to help build a more resilient household and community in an uncertain world. Susan Waughtal and her husband, Roger Nelson, are the residents of Squash Blossom Farm. They raise chickens, honeybees, a few cows and a large garden using sustainable farming methods. Susan is also an artist. The farm provides plenty of fodder for her paintings. Their mission is Local Food, Local Art, Local Music. Rx: Grit and Resilience Surviving 21st Century Stress April 11, 9:00am-Noon $24 per person, includes lunch. $12 per person, without lunch Resilience? Grit? What are they? Why do I need them in my faith life? You ll learn ways to thrive not just survive. Know how the inner spirit in your life can expand without neither shriveling nor dragging with fatigue. Where, in our daily experience, can we find models of tenacity? How do we see the Spirit stirring things up and shaping a new, sustainable consciousness? Come take the challenge! You ll find humor on the edges, guaranteed! Edward T. Creagan is a professor of medical oncology at Mayo Clinic. The author of over 400 scientific papers, he has made more than 1,000 presentations throughout the world on health, hope, burnout, and the healing power of pets. His popular book, How NOT To Be My Patient: A Physicians Secrets for Staying Healthy and Surviving Any Diagnosis, will be available for purchase at this event! A Slice of Life! Karen Edmonds and Project Legacy April 13, 7:00-8:30pm Meet Karen Edmonds. She is an advocate and mentor for the disenfranchised and street-involved youth of color. She works with homeless youth pushed out as a result of gang involvement, drugs or alcohol abuse. Lack of opportunities, resources, and guidance find these youths bound for failure. Project Legacy empowers, and gives them a sense of hope. Formerly on the streets, these youth are now clean or sober and excelling in college or at a job. Come hear their stories. Drop-in Gentle Yoga May, June, July, and August Please call for dates 6:00-7:00pm $10 per person, per session. Yoga is a series of bodily postures and breathing exercises designed to strengthen or align the body in an effort to gain mental and physical control. By quieting the body and mind, continued... January - August

12 these disciplined techniques promote relaxation, reduce stress and bring forth inner peace and well-being. Stilling the mind, and body are known to aid prayer, and healing of a variety of medical conditions or learning obstacles of young people. Joan Wisniewski has a Bachelor of Science degree in Education, and a Master of Science degree in K-12 Counseling. She has served as a teacher and school counselor for 20+ years. She has been a certified Yoga teacher and certified Yoga Calm instructor for more than 13 years. Currently she teaches yoga to cancer patients, persons recovering from addictions and provides workshops for teachers on how to incorporate yoga movements and bring calm in classroom settings. Quilting: The Art of Piece Making Pre-Retreat: April 16, 3:00pm Commuter: $35 per person, includes meal. Overnight rate: $70 per person, includes accommodations, and meal. Retreat: April 17, 18, and 19 Commuter: $130 per person, includes meals. Overnight rate: $200 per person, includes accommodations and meals. Quilting brings together pieces of fabric, history, and stories to become a new creation. To design an original pattern calls for intentional choices of texture, pattern, and color. With shared skills, ideas and sacred stories comes renewed life. Much like the spiritual life, quilting demands attentiveness, mindfulness, and repetition all characteristics of a holistic spirit. Assisi Heights adds serenity to the mix! Kathy Flippin is a master quilter with over 24 years of life behind the needle. She has an eye for color, pattern, and makes amazing creations for beds, walls, or wearable art. Diane Salentiny-Wrobleski is equally talented, especially in designing and combining unusual fabrics. She is a historian, well-traveled and tells the story of quilting, locally and around the world. Both Kathy and Diane are Cojourners with the Sisters of Saint Francis. Sister Mary Eliot Crowley, our third facilitator, has made a wide array of quilts to gift every family member, and finds spiritual renewal in the process. Stations of the Forest April 20, 7:00pm Free will donation Join us for a reflective video lamenting the stages of death of the forest. It includes issues related to rainforest destruction, extractive industries, loss of biodiversity and climate change. Discover how this may translate to losses in Southeastern Minnesota. Caregiving: Coping with Compassion Fatigue April 28, 7:00-8:30pm $8 per person. Caregiving is a demanding job, with a To-Do List that seems to get longer by the day. Many friends and paid caregivers experience compassion fatigue, a weariness of body and spirit. This workshop examines the source of compassion fatigue, its many symptoms, why it is powerful, and what steps you may take to counter it. Attendees will receive a Compassion Fatigue Checklist and helpful articles. Harriet Hodgson is an experienced caregiver, a contributing writer for the Caregiver Space website, and the author of the forthcoming book, The Family Caregiver s Guide: How to Care for a Loved One at Home. Mother s Day High Tea May 2, 3:00-4:30pm $32 per person. Please include your guests names when registering. Celebrate an early Mother s Day! After all, every day is Mother s Day. Bring Mother to enjoy a relaxed afternoon in the serene setting at Assisi Heights. Hear the history of high tea; appreciate this English tradition with your mother or a treasured loved one! We have dusted and shined the floor and ironed the linens for your visit! Come experience the perfect pot of English Tea, and savor refreshing cordials and tisanes. 12 Assisi Heights Spirituality Center

13 Diane Salentiny-Wrobleski is a nurse educator at Mayo Clinic, a Cojourner with the Sisters of Saint Francis, and a connoisseur of teas and well travelled among English Tea services here and abroad. She teaches etiquette and tea celebrations through Rochester Community Education. She is also a talented quilter and cook. Mindfulness Retreat: An Invitation to the Journey May 7-10 Starting Thursday at 6:30pm thru Sunday at Noon. $150 per person, includes accommodations and meals. This retreat is an opportunity to know what it is to live life to the fullest; an exploration on how to live wholeheartedly, despite what is happening now in your life by choosing mindfulness as life style. Mindfulness is the awareness of paying attention to the present moment without judgment. Learn tools for mindful living, and enjoy the powerful results that can occur by giving attention to the present without judging. Enhance the experience of your everyday life. The program will start on Thursday evening and finish Sunday at noon. Strict Silence will be observed. The day starts early (around 6am) and concludes after evening dinner. The day will be a combination of meditations, talks, mindful movements, time for journaling and being with yourself in nature. Roberto Benzo, MD, leads a research and clinical program for Mindfulness at Mayo Clinic. Roberto has a longlasting meditation practice and received training in Mindfulness from Jon Kabat-Zinn s program at the University of Massachusetts. He had formal training in Compassion Practices with Chokyii Nyima Rinpoche and Roshi Joan Halifax, and attended trainings with Thich Nhat Hanh and Pema Chodron. Earth Tour May 30, 10:00-10:45am June 9 or August 3, 7:00-7:45pm $8 per person. Come explore the history and story of the precious earth held sacred by our Franciscan beliefs on the Assisi Heights hilltop. Take a walking tour on the cusp of the oak savannah, view the restored prairie lands and solar panels. Hear the story of how Dr. Louis Wilson, former continued... The Illuminating Photograph: The Elements of Visual Design May Friday 7:00-9:00pm, Saturday 8:00am-5:00pm $230 per person. Join internationally published photographer, Randy Zeigler as he leads you on a creative pathway to discover the visual elements that make photographs memorable. During this workshop, our time will be dedicated to exploring the foundation for creating images with visual stopping power and emotional impact, through lively class discussions, image presentation, and personal critiques of students assignment work. Randy will bring to light the creative use of composition and perspective in color photography. You will learn the art of seeing from the camera s perspective and how it is different from our usual visual reality. Some of the topics covered in this workshop will include: light, color, framing, positive and negative space, harmony and balance, pattern, motion, line form, and texture. You will also explore the use of gesture and sense of movement in your images. Friday includes a light fare/wine followed by lecture. Saturday will incorporate a photo adventure to Red Wing, lunch (travel and lunch on your own) and return to Assisi Heights for editing and critique. Register at Randy Zeigler is a respected natural light photographer with over 35 years experience behind the lens. His assignment work has taken him to the Greek Islands, Tuscany, Mexico, and the French Rivera. When not on assignment, he holds photographic workshops. He is recipient of several awards, including the International Print Media Communicator Award for Excellence for three consecutive years and the prestigious Platinum MarCom Creative award twice. January - August

14 land owner, was already a part of ecological learning community. Visit the Umbrian Garden. Wear good walking shoes and bring a walking stick if you like! Sister Marlys Jax is program coordinator for the Assisi Heights Spirituality Center and serves on a variety of community and civic committees relating to environmental issues and climate change. She will discuss ways to move forward in faith and action. Architectural Tour June 6, 10:00-11:30am July 20 or August 5, 6:30-8:00pm $10 per person. Assisi Heights can be seen from nearly every direction in the Rochester area. Come up close to see some of the architectural features, aesthetic design aspects, and few often overlooked artistic features. Hear the stories of some functional characteristics of the building and how they have now been adapted for other needs. Wear walking shoes. Family Festival: Exploring Nature on Walnut Hill June 13, 10:00am-3:00pm Rain Date: June 20, 10:00am-3:00pm $25 for family of four. $8 for each additional person. Explore the natural wonders of Walnut Hill, located on the upper edge of Assisi Heights. Listen for the call of birds, wind in the trees, buzzing of bees. Roam the prairie grass, pick wild flowers, walk the labyrinth. There is an endless assortment of things to explore. Meet Dr. Louis and Maud Wilson, St. Francis, and Mother Alfred Moes. Learn about beekeeping, the original 1000 apple trees, and the nearby Native American burial grounds. Identify prairie grasses, flowers, trees and birds, and bird songs. Enjoy storytelling, a petting zoo, and healthy foods for sale. Celebrate this beautiful hillside which some have called a little piece of heaven. Labyrinth Mediation in Slow Motion June 15, 7:00-8:00pm $10 per person. Learn the history and experience balance of body and mind and spirit while walking the labyrinth. This slow motion meditation calms the mind, body, spirit for anyone desiring solace, personal insight, and healing. This is an excellent exercise for those struggling with transitions. It allows you to find the sacred, become more insightful, deepen your self-knowledge, and still your worries. This is an indoor and an outdoor experience. Tree Identification for Beginners June 23, 6:30-7:30pm $5 per person. Enjoy a short hike in the Assisi Heights woods to learn tree characteristics. Identification can be done by bark, fruit, or leaves. This event will focus on leaf identification by looking for simple or compound leaf designs, alternating or opposite leaf patterns, lobed, un-lobed, toothed, double toothed, smooth, rough, spiny, or shiny. The spotlight will be on deciduous and conifers. Great hands-on program for families with kids! Registration is limited. Tim Bari is a forester by profession. He works for the Olmsted County Park System with major responsibility at Oxbow Park near Byron. Trees are his passion! 14 Assisi Heights Spirituality Center

15 Mandala s for Kids! July 16, 1:30-3:30pm $25 per person. Art with a purpose! Mandala is a Sanskrit word meaning circle. Children from ages 9-13 can enjoy an afternoon of learning all the qualities of the mandala and all the secrets the circle can hold. The end product presents a snapshot of self discovery. The afternoon will include the making of two mandalas, one with seeds and one transparent. Sister Bernadine Jax is an educator at all levels. She has taught the art of mandalas for the past 5 years and displays her mandalas at the SEMVA Art Gallery, and other locations in the city as well as the Assisi Heights Gift Shop. T ai Chi Chih Summer Session July 7, 14, 21, 28, August 4, 11, 18, and 25 6:00-7:00pm $45 per person, includes all eight sessions. Are you hungry for solace, reduced stress and improved health? Consider circulating your intrinsic energy and balancing your chi, as the Chinese call it. Begin at the sound of the bells to feel the tranquillity and beauty of the Assisi Heights inner courtyard, while learning 19 easy, slow moving meditative movements practiced by people around the world. This movement is adaptable to every physical condition and age and it requires no special equipment or dress. The rewards include serenity, simple joy and better health. Other added benefits may be physical, emotional, or spiritual in nature. Bonnie Sokolov is an accredited instructor of T ai Chi Chih of Integral Qigong for the past 14 years. She has spent many years in the practice of meditation. She is an adjunct professor at Rochester Community and Technical College and is teaching T ai Chi Chih and Meditation there. She also teaches at the local YMCA, Rochester Community Education, and at several senior and assisted living facilities in the area. The Enchanted Garden: An Afternoon Garden Party at Assisi Heights Charm School August Tuesday: 10:00am-3:30pm, Wednesday: 12:30-3:30pm $50 per child. Calling all girls 9-12! Let s plan a garden party, while learning all that goes into the preparation. Join us for this interactive workshop on etiquette, manners, decorum, handling awkward social situations, sports etiquette, proper introductions, party preparations and more. Day 1: This is action day. Participants will be attending workshops, making invitations, meeting new/ former friends, and visiting with their honored guests, the Sisters of Saint Francis. A picnic lunch will be provided. Casual dress is appropriate for Day 1. Day 2: Party Day! An afternoon of fun and excitement awaits the girls and their guests. Participants will make final preparations for the Garden Party, and entertain their honored guests. After the party, clean-up is in order and a group good-bye will end the day. Party attire is requested for Day 2. Grandma s Garden Tour and Tea August 20, 2:30-4:00pm $25 per person, includes 3:00pm luncheon. Stroll though the floral array in the (formerly cloistered) inner courtyard at Assisi Heights. Learn about the Sisters water project and its gift to creation. Settle in the shade for a delightful garden luncheon with tea. Note: You do not have to be a grandmother to participate! January - August

16 Assisi Heights Spirituality Center th Street NW Rochester, MN NONPROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE PAID ROCHESTER MN PERMIT NO. 114 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: Experience a Day of Solitude at Assisi Heights. Enjoy the serenity and peace that comes with having time alone with just your thoughts. Take time to reflect, pray and remove yourself from the distractions of our modern society. Take walks on the trails, in Canticle Park or in the courtyard, or let the peace of Lourdes Chapel envelop your spirit. Arrive at Assisi Heights by 10:00am and register at the reception desk. At 10:15am, you will listen to a short reflection on the day s theme. If you wish, you may join others for the liturgical service at 11:00am, followed by lunch in the dining room. Spend time exploring the grounds or reflecting in our chapel or parlors. Private retreat rooms may be reserved for an additional cost. Join us at 4:30pm for a closing prayer to end your day of retreat. January 21 Feast of St. Agnes February 18 Ash Wednesday - Jesus Christ, Inner Light March 18 A Close Encounter with Grace April 3 Good Friday - Stay with me! May 20 Feast of St. Bernadine of Siena Cost: $12 per person, per retreat day, includes lunch. 16 Assisi Heights Spirituality Center