of Assisi Cultivate Compassion

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1 September - December 2018 The Essence of Assisi Cultivate Compassion Vol. 10, No. 01 Assisi Heights Spirituality Center Rochester, MN th Street NW

2 Welcome The Spirituality Center at Assisi Heights is a spiritual hub yoked with a living, active Franciscan community, and now also serving as home to the Poor Clares, a contemplative Franciscan community. We are an axis of prayer. Upon your entrance from the frenzied outer world, we wish to provide your spirit with a nourishing welcome into the rhythm of Franciscan reverence and hospitality. Come and enjoy an unhurried step, find your silent, still voice and leave with a contemplative heart. Feel the heartbeat of the earth, rest along the way, and hear the whisper of the Holy One who fashions all creation. All are welcome. This is what we ask of you: Take nothing from here but Restfulness of your body, Tranquility of your soul, Contentment of your mind, Compassion of your heart, And may you be embraced by the love that calls you by name.

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. 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. 1

4 Retreat From Your Busy Life 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 a room, contact Angie Grimm: Call or ahsc@rochesterfranciscan.org. Come, withdraw from the cares, concerns and responsibilities of ordinary life to find quiet, rejuvenation and peace. 2

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6 Meditation Tuesdays, September 4 thru December 18, 5:15-5:45pm Donations appreciated Meditation is a practice of quieting the mind to bring forth clarity and positivity, while cultivating compassion, forgiveness and love. It is a form of contemplative prayer beyond words, thoughts and images. We open ourselves to the mysterious and silent space within us to prepare for the work of compassion in the world. Meditation has been shown to reduce anxiety, stress and lower blood pressure. Meditation with others gives added support to our deepening calmness, providing a natural sense of balance, peacefulness and connectedness to your spiritual tradition. The time will begin with Cathy Ashton or 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 are welcome. Yoga: The Peaceful Path to Resilience Thursdays, September 6, 13, 20, 27, October 11, 18, 9:30-10:30am $50 preregistered/prepaid. $60 day of program. The physical practice of yoga helps us to improve our body s strength, flexibility and balance. It also helps our minds, hearts and spirits to become stronger, more flexible and resilient to the challenges of our daily life. In this class, we will progress through a gentle yoga practice along with some breath work and reflection. This six-week class is suitable for the adult beginner as well as those who wish to deepen their practice. Please bring a yoga mat and towel. 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 in Yoga Therapy. 4 She teaches gentle and adaptive yoga, beginner yoga and Vinyasa flow classes at public and private venues in the local area.

7 Nature Scavenger Hunt September 8, 9:30-11:00am Donations appreciated A Family Event at Assisi Heights: we have gathered great clues for a scavenger hunt to liven up a walk in the woods. Lace up your hiking boots and your kids boots and head outside to explore. Using their Nature Passport, your children will find places on the grounds to solve the clues, find an object in the natural world, stamp their passport and draw a picture. When children learn to appreciate and enjoy nature, they are more likely to grow into adults who value and protect our environment with great compassion. This event is co-sponsored and planned by Compassion Rochester, MN. A Walking Retreat September 12, 19, 26, October 3, 6:00-7:00pm Register for one or all dates. Donations appreciated Wander on your footpath with unhurried step, hushed voice and reflective heart. Rest a while along the way, feel the heartbeat of the earth and hear the whisper of the wind that fashions your spirit. Take nothing for this journey except peacefulness of the body, nourishment of the soul, inspiration for the mind and consolation of the heart. Please wear walking shoes. Mindful qigong movements to cultivate harmony will bookend the walk. Ivonne Begue, a native of Argentina, is a certified Yoga instructor having studied at the Universal Yoga Center in McLeo Ganj, India. She is certified as a Tai Chi Chih and Laughing Yoga teacher, and volunteers at the Rochester Public Library and Mayo Clinic and assists people living with chronic conditions. 5

8 A Day in the Life of a Sister! September 14, 5:00pm- September 15, 3:30pm $60 includes overnight accommodations and meals. Registration required one week prior to the event. Live in a convent for a day! Meet and share meals and life with a Franciscan Sister. Learn how we live out our Franciscan Mission and the 2018 Directional Statement. Enjoy the quiet, take a tour, a walk in the woods or the inner courtyard. Ask questions and discover the ministries of the Sisters of Saint Francis. Facilitated by a group of Rochester Franciscan Sisters. Touch the Sky Prairie Walk September 15, 9:30-11:00am $10 preregistered/prepaid. $15 day of program. Children accompanied by an adult are free. (Please note number of children in comments on the registration form.) Take a walk with a naturalist through the Goat Prairie. You will have fun identifying flowers, grasses, bugs, beetles and so much more! Follow the serpentine footpath and discover who and what lives in your neighborhood. Bear Aware! September 17, 9:30-11:00am $10 preregistered/prepaid. $15 day of program. Bear Aware! Polar Bear Possibilities! Polar Bears are the largest of the marine mammals, devoted mothers, and possibly the first large animal to become extinct due to global climate change. We will explore how polar bears compare to other bear species, their adaptions to the far north, their hunting life, how native cultures have related to them throughout time and the devastating effects of climate change. Melonie Shipman is the Traveling Naturalist ( You can find her with the Native Culturekeepers at a seal harvest, or checking up on the grey whales in Baja, Mexico or serving as a dog handler at the Iditarod, getting the racers lined up at the starting line. Melonie has served as wolf pup assistant at the International Wolf Center in Ely, MN. She does not lack experience in the wild! Originally a Minnesotan, she now hails from Alaska, having moved there about 20 years ago. She has primarily studied polar bears, but has found God s natural handiwork in every state in between. Sister Rita Brom is a Franciscan and a naturalist. She is a professor of nature, a teacher, gardener, artistic garden chef, woodcarver, storyteller, watercolor artist and graphic designer. 6

9 The Nonviolent Life Book Discussion September 17, October 1, 15, 6:30-8:00pm $10 preregistered/prepaid. On site registration is $15 first day of series. "How can we become people of nonviolence and help the world become more nonviolent? What does it mean to be a person of active nonviolence? How can we help build a global grassroots movement of nonviolence to disarm the world, relieve unjust human suffering, make a more just society and protect creation and all creatures? What is a nonviolent life?" These are the questions posed by John Dear, Nobel Peace Prize nominee and Pace e Bene staff member in his latest book, The Nonviolent Life. He focuses on three important aspects on the path toward becoming people of nonviolence: being nonviolent toward ourselves; being nonviolent to all others (including creation and creatures); and joining the global grassroots movement of nonviolence. In this book, John Dear explores the powerful journey of nonviolence rooted in the Christian vision of love. Discussion questions assist one to go deeper into the nonviolent life and the path of nonviolence. The book is published by Pace e Bene Press. This is a three-session series and not a drop-in event. Sister Ann Redig will facilitate the discussion. She has a long history of teaching and living with the vow of nonviolence, both stateside and in Bogotá, Colombia, South America. Balancing Your Constitution September 18, 6:30-8:00pm and October 2, 6:30-8:00pm $20 for both sessions preregistered/ prepaid. On site registration is $25 day of first session. For those interested in health and wellbeing, mindfulness, meditation, developing awareness, consciousness, good mental health and integrative medicine, we offer a two-part series to get you started. 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 offers dietary and lifestyle guidelines according to a person s unique mind body constitution. 2) Ayurveda and the Mind and Spiritual Self Ayurveda borrows knowledge from its sister science, Yoga, to help the person achieve a balanced mind, body and spirit. In this presentation, we will examine how Ayurveda lends itself to the nature and process of the mind, identifying the three spiritual qualities present in creation. This will assist in the pairing of various contemplative methods to the person s individual constitution. Although there will be a short review of the Ayurveda constitutions from the first presentation, attendance at the first presentation will provide the foundation to better assimilate the material covered in the second session. continued... 7

10 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. Melissa practices acupuncture and Chinese Herbalism in Rochester, MN. Stories in Stone September 20, 6:30-8:00pm September 29, 1:30-3:00pm $10 pre-registered/prepaid. $15 day of program. Assisi Heights has stories engraved in the walls. Literally! However, many more anecdotes tell the stories that chronicle the history hidden in the walls. Come up close and see some of the architectural features, aesthetic design aspects and a few of the often-overlooked artistic Franciscan symbols. Please wear walking shoes for this indoor and outdoor event. Ken Allsen is an architectural historian residing in Rochester. He teaches regularly for the RCTC LIFE Program and is author of five books about architectural history in our region. He volunteers at the History Center of Olmsted County and in the Mayo Clinic archives. Sister Marlys Jax has an architectural design degree with a passion for the story behind the stone. See the Lite September 24, 6:30-8:00pm $10 preregistered/prepaid. $15 day of program. Registration includes a smiling treat! Parish ministry is complex and often intense. There are times in the parish community-building process when emotions reach the limits! However, it is not all sad and painful. Parish clergy are occasionally faced with moments and circumstances that are unbelievably funny! Nick Mezacapa is an ordained Episcopal priest and retired rector of the Calvary Episcopal Church in Rochester, MN. Nick is also a motivational speaker, stage actor, prostate cancer survivor, radio personality and former teacher and coach. The world cannot be discovered by a journey of miles, no matter how long, but only by spiritual journey, a journey of an inch, very arduous and humbling and joyful, by which we arrive at the ground at our feet and learn to be at home. Wendell Berry 8

11 St. Mary of the Angels Chapel Tour, Winona, MN September 26, 9:00am-3:30pm $59 preregistered/prepaid. Includes coach bus transportation, lunch and tour. The Franciscan Sisters of Rochester, MN, founded and managed the College of Saint Teresa in Winona, MN, from 1904 to It is now owned and managed by a consortium, which includes St. Mary s University and Cotter High School. The original college buildings still exist and are actively in use. The Chapel of St. Mary of the Angels (completed in 1923) has one of the most beautiful Romanesque/ Byzantine interiors imaginable. This collegiate chapel, together with Alverna Hall, the Sisters residence (completed in 1925), were once the heart of the college campus. Enjoy a bus tour to Winona where you will have rare access to these two important structures, and enjoy lunch in the Tea House of the former College of Saint Teresa. The tour will cover both the theology and related architectural history of both buildings. Ken Allsen is a freelance architectural historian, author and artist. He has taught a variety of classes in the community on topics in architectural and local history. Sister Marlys Jax holds degrees in theology/history and architectural design, and has a passion for architecture. Conversation with Books September 27, 2:00-3:00pm $5 preregistered/prepaid. $15 day of program. Enjoy a lively roundtable discussion of avid book readers highlighting books of literary merit. Whether collecting ideas for fall/winter reading, or simply jumpstarting the conversation about recent or great literature, this Conversation with Books is for you! It isn t necessary to have read the whole book(s) prior to the event; many attend for inspiration on what to pick up next. Dessert and beverages served. This is an open discussion of your favorite books. Facilitated by Sister Marlys Jax. Rochester Franciscan Sisters will hostess this event. Blessing of the Animals September 30, 1:30-3:00pm Donations appreciated Join other animal lovers to celebrate the special grace that pets bring to our community. Whether their paws are padded, hoofed or webbed all are welcome! Arrive with the Top Dog or the Purr-fect Feline and you will leave with your tail waggin friend and a blessed attitude. All are winners of a genuine blessing at Assisi s Best in Show! Animal Whisperers will conduct the blessings in Canticle Park at Assisi Heights. 9

12 A Still and Quiet Conscience: The Archbishop Who Challenged the Pope, President and the Church Book Discussion and Luncheon October 2, 11:30am-1:00pm $14 preregistered/prepaid. Registration required by September 25. Pope Francis suggested that, as shepherds, pastoral bishops need to smell like the sheep. This book, written by John McCoy, is the story of Raymond G. Hunthausen, archbishop of Seattle from , who epitomized this style and paid the price. He followed his conscience, opposed nuclear weapons, chose to be inclusive, embraced Vatican II renewal and reached out to women, the laity, and the poor on the edges. He came in conflict with Pope John Paul II on reshaping the American bishopric. His vision was a more inclusive, prophetic and compassionate church. Sister Claren Sellner and Cojourner Mary Wellik will moderate the discussion. Both are avid readers and enjoy lively discussions. Transitus of St. Francis October 3, 6:30-8:00pm October 3 is the Vigil of the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi. All over the world, Franciscans will be observing the commemoration of St. Francis transition to his eternal life with God. It is a time of remembering and celebrating his life and legacy today. Join us for a meaningful ritual prayer service. All are welcome. My God and My All: The Spirituality of St. Francis Option 1: October 5, 6:30pm thru October 7, 1:00pm $99 preregistered/prepaid. Includes meals, but no accommodations.* Option 2: October 5, 6:30pm-8:00pm Donations appreciated. Option 3: October 6, 9:00am-4:00pm $60 includes lunch. Option 4: October 7, 9:00am-12:00 noon $30 includes lunch. 10

13 * For overnight accommodations with breakfast at $45 per night, contact Angie at Without a doubt, St. Francis of Assisi is one of the most popular saints of all time and for good reason. His zest for life, his passion for the Gospel, his love for all creation speaks to the deepest desires of the human heart. Franciscan Father Ed Shea will share with us some insights after more than 30 years as a Franciscan in this weekend following the feast of St. Francis. Father Ed Shea, OFM, will share his insights on Franciscan Spirituality. He has served in a variety of Chicago area parishes, including St. Joseph Back of the Yards Hispanic neighborhood. He currently works at St Peter s in the Loop, where he is Director of Youth Ministry and involved with Theology on the Rocks and Theology on Tap. Father Ed loves to sing! He even sang the National Anthem at the Chicago White Sox game! Contemporary Reflection on Rublev s Icon of Community (Trinity) October 9, 6:30-8:00pm $10 preregistered/prepaid. $15 day of program. Andre Rublev, a Russian Iconographer, painted a holy depiction of the Trinity. The foundational core of Christianity is the grounding in the revelation of the Three Persons (Creator, Son and Spirit). A scriptural background will be offered, with a reflection on the detail of Rublev s icon, followed by a contemporary DVD clip on the communal life of the Trinity. This experience will deepen your understanding of being part of a profound theological Truth. Sister Briana McCarthy, MA, LPCC, is a retired licensed professional clinical counselor and educator of elementary through college level students. She has master degrees in theatre and counseling and further education in spirituality. She serves as a Spiritual Director and spirituality educator. The study of Rublev has been a passion of Sister Briana s for many years. 11

14 The Yoga of Mindfulness: A Silent Retreat Option 1: October 10, 7:00pm- October 14, 11:00am $330 preregistered/prepaid. Option 2: October 10, 7:00pm- October 13, 4:00pm $260 preregistered/prepaid. Option 3: October 10, 7:00pm- October 12, 4:00pm $190 preregistered/prepaid. Option 4: October 10, 7:00pm- October 11, 4:00pm $120 preregistered/prepaid. Registration required by October 3, Overnight accommodations are included and vegetarian meals will be served. yoga at all. True yoga can be a serious step forward (from within) into the lifestyle of mindfulness. This retreat will focus on the profound marriage between yoga and the lifestyle of mindfulness, and the discovery of what is meaningful to you now. There will be sitting meditation and a simple yoga practice amenable for all, whatever your degree of expertise or flexibility. The greatest flexibility promoted will be the flexibility of the mind. Walking and time in nature will be included. What to bring? Willingness, yoga mat, clothes for all weather. What not to bring? Cell phone, computer, ipad, books, or writing materials. Roberto Benzo, MD, leads research and clinical programs with mindfulness, lifestyle and health coaching at Mayo Clinic. He is also a meditation teacher and an advanced yoga student. Mindfulness is the active effort of bringing the body, heart and mind to the present moment, despite momentary sidetracks. Being in the present moment requires willingness to embrace the life that is just in front of us. It is a personal decision to be in the now (which requires decision and commitment) and knowledge of self (our body, emotions, feelings and thoughts). Mindfulness helps us to identify what is meaningful for me in life NOW, with things as they are. Yoga is a state of self-realization and selfknowledge. Yoga is more than physical poses. In fact, it is entirely possible to practice yoga poses without practicing Roberto Benzo, MD 12

15 Compassionate Acceptance: A Genuine Path to Profound Healing Boundless Compassion: Creating a Way of Life Book Discussion October 11, 18, and 25, 2:30-4:00pm $25 preregistered/prepaid. $30 first day of series. Boundless Compassion, by Joyce Rupp, is an everyday practical book that challenges the reader to consider the situation of our broken and damaged world. This book helps us to learn how to be with the suffering and wounded. It involves an inside-out movement and choosing a way of life that responds with compassion, becoming midwives of respect and peacefulness. Please read the first two chapters for the first meeting. This is a three-session series and not a drop-in event. Sister Colleen Byron, Jan Manahan and Peggy Menzel will lead this discussion. Sister Colleen is a lifelong learner and spiritual director, who adds humor to any situation. Jan is a grandmother who serves on the Compassion Rochester, MN Task Force. Peggy Menzel is an avid reader and student of many interests, with compassion being one of them. They promise an engaging discussion. In the words of the Dali Lama, Compassion is a necessity, not a luxury. Without it humanity can t survive. October 12, 7:00-8:30pm and October 13, 9:00am-4:00pm $75 preregistered/prepaid. Includes lunch. For overnight accommodations and breakfast at $45, contact Angie at We all carry within us a store of life s hurts, betrayals, and traumas. The impacts of these experiences are carried with us throughout our lives, locking us into a repetitive pattern of thinking and feeling, which adds to our suffering and chaos. Over time, we develop an aversion to these hurts, a kind of wishing they would go away; hoping the suffering and chaos will stop. Deep healing occurs only when we soften our self-aversion and begin to accept and relate wisely with deep compassion to that part of ourselves that needs healing. This retreat will provide a spacious and safe place to work on bringing mindful and compassionate acceptance to these difficulties. Through the exploration of Contemplative, Taoist, and Buddhist teachings and healing practices, you will finally be able to reach healing based on acceptance and compassion, which is often overlooked. This depth of healing is integral to deepening the spiritual path. Thomas Roberts is a licensed psychotherapist in La Crosse, WI. He teaches Mind and Body Healing, Integrative Medicine, Spirituality and Wellness. 13

16 How to Become a Gentleman: Boys Stepping Up! October 16, 5:30-7:30pm $30 preregistered/prepaid, includes dinner. Registration required by October 9. Ages Be a master gentleman! This interactive evening is designed to teach boys life skills that empower them to become thoughtful, respectful men. The program includes team building, belonging, etiquette, social boundaries and deconstructing harmful masculine behaviors and beliefs; serving as guidance on the journey to becoming trustworthy young men. The capstone of the evening is hearing real stories, mistakes/failures, successes and learnings. The event begins with pizza and the trimmings! This program is facilitated by a group of Rochester area gentlemen: Patrick Jirik, Patrick Gannon, Jerry Hrabe, and Lee Sjolander. 14 Believing in God in a Suffering World October 19, 1:30-3:00pm $10 preregistered/prepaid. $15 day of program. This reflective talk will address some aspects of the following topics: The Problem of Evil, Suffering, Non-Moral Evil, Individual Evil, and Systemic Evil. All this will be interspersed with songs of Sufjan Stevens to illustrate these topics. Father (Jan) Michael Joncas was ordained in 1980 as a priest in the Archdiocese of St Paul-Minneapolis, MN. He holds degrees in English from the College of St. Thomas in St. Paul MN, and in liturgical studies from the University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, and the Pontificio Istituto Liturgico of the Ateneo, S. Anselmo in Rome. He has served as a parochial vicar, a campus minister and a parochial administrator (pastor). He is the author of six books and more than two hundred fifty articles and reviews in journals such as Worship, Ecclesia Orans, and Questions Liturgiques. He has composed and arranged more than 300 pieces of liturgical music. He is currently Artist-in- Residence and Research Fellow in Catholic Studies at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN.

17 Journey of Gratitude October 22, 6:30-8:30pm or October 23, 2:30-4:00pm $10 preregistered/prepaid. $15 day of program. Exploring gratitude can work miracles in our lives, transform our negative and self-defeating thoughts and change us by helping us to recognize the many gifts that life offers. In a chaotic world that, for many of us, seems to be filled with delays, challenges and change, gratitude can be a hard concept to grasp. This class will help us discover the bountiful blessings that have arrived unheralded in our lives. Gratitude is an acknowledgement of all that sustains us, supports our life and brings joy and gladness to our hearts. You will have time for reflection and for journaling the gifts of gratitude. Barb Schroeder, MS, RN, APRN, CNS, NC- BC is a Grief Coach. She was a nurse at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN for more than 40 years. Her focus was helping patients with chronic illness, and their family members, live with hope. Weekend of Silence Option 1: October 25, 7:00pm- October 27, 4:00pm $160 preregistered/prepaid. Option 2: October 25, 7:00pm- October 26, 4:00pm $80 preregistered/prepaid. Option 3: October 26, 7:00pm- October 27, 4:00pm $80 preregistered/prepaid. Includes overnight accommodations and meals. Registration required by October 18. Ponder a bit; reflect in the stillness and wait for the sacred to come home to you. Each day begins and ends with optional prayer and reflection. The rest 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! Spiritual Directors include Franciscan Sisters JoAnn Haney, Monique Schwirtz, Linda Wieser, along with Ken Bauman, Chaplain in the United Methodist Conference. 15

18 Creating Pathways for the Eye October 26, 7:00-9:00pm October 27, 9:00-4:00pm $120 preregistered/prepaid, includes lunch. For overnight accommodations with breakfast at $45, contact Angie at Registration required by October 19. Good painters are first good designers. Come learn concepts that allow you to find strong abstract shapes in your scenes. We tackle different types of contrasts and add drama to your painting. We will explore how composition is used to lead the viewer s eye through a more interesting painting. Simplifying a scene can be one of the greatest challenges that faces an artist; thus we ll examine distilling a scene and become better artists through the process. This will be an energizing and different approach to your next subject. This will be a fun couple of days learning and sharing with other artists. Dan Wiemer is an award winning artist and illustrator who lives in Red Wing, MN. Dan is a past president of the Minnesota Watercolor Society and has taught classes and workshops for over twenty-five years. 16 Journey of Peace IX The Voice of Hope! October 28, 2:00-4:00pm The Journey of Peace is an invitation to all peoples and cultures to move with urgency to bring peace with compassion to our world and community. Come unfold wisdom, empower our youth, and awaken hope and resiliency. Our effort is founded in the process of creative tension and teamwork, with dialogue and listening. Let us link stories across generations that inspire actions to integrate healing and hope. The event is planned by and inspired by youth of many interfaith traditions. Exploring with Soul Collage October 29, 6:30-8:00pm $25 preregistered/prepaid. $30 day of program. In a meditative atmosphere, discover images using a technique called Soul Collage a transformative process of creating personal cards for greater awareness of your inner wisdom. In a relaxed and supportive space, spend time with images, assembling collages, composing reflective writing 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 2014.

19 The Art of Storytelling: Famous Last Words November 5, 6:30-8:00pm Donations appreciated Human beings continue to be inexplicably attracted to artful storytelling. This event, part of Rochester s month long celebration during November: Reflecting on Death and Dying: A Series of Community Events, is inspired by the famous and captivating idea of The Moth Story Hour, founded by Poet George Dawes Green in You, the audience and participants, will share a TRUE story about someone s impressive Famous Last Words. Your story can be of someone no longer with us who shaped your life or your beliefs. It does not have to be serious. Funny stories can be meaningful. Charlie Chaplin added a twist to his last message: A priest blessed him with a concluding prayer, May God have mercy on your soul. He replied. Why not? After all, it belongs to Him. Loretta Mogan is retired from Mayo Clinic in Rochester. She completed the Stress Management and Resiliency Training taught by Amit Sood, M.D., in Currently, she serves on the Steering Committee for Compassion Rochester, MN. Dakota: A Spiritual Geography Book Discussion and Luncheon November 6, 11:30-1:00pm $14 preregistered/prepaid, includes lunch. Registration required by October 30. Dakota, written by Kathleen Norris, is a beautiful meditation on living in the Great Plains, specifically, the Dakotas. The landscape leads her to know the depth of prayer and presence in the dismal and the sublime, the harsh and forgiving countryside that is saturated with history and myth. Norris describes how the world we live in inhabits our soul and shapes the place we call home. (Excerpted from Amazon.com) Sister Claren Sellner and Cojourner Mary Wellik will moderate the discussion. Both are avid readers and enjoy lively discussions. 17

20 Gift of Love November 10, 9:00am-Noon $40 preregistered/prepaid. $45 day of program. Gift of Love is a presentation by artist Lavonne Lovestad about her own exploration of the Divine Feminine through music and art. She will exhibit six paintings based on the music Lover of Us All, by liturgical music composer Dan Schutte, and share her intuitive painting process and spiritual insights for each one. Through art, music, stories, spiritual direction, journaling, question and answer, participants will have the opportunity to deepen their awareness of the unconditional loving nature of the Divine Feminine, fostering a new consciousness of light, life and freedom. Participants are invited to bring an unlined journal for reflective writing. Lavonne Lovestad of Rochester, MN, is a Lightworker whose passion is the exploration of the Sacred Feminine Mystery and the Language of Light through art, music and dance. Educated in art education, art therapy, spiritual direction and energy healing, she offers her knowledge, intuitive wisdom and compassion to awaken and encourage spiritual and creative transformation in others for the birthing the New Earth. 18 Dying to Live: A Migrant s Journey Film/Discussion November 12, 6:30-8:00pm Donations appreciated Immigration is a complex issue that is changing the face of cultures worldwide. In the United States, it is often controversial with many social, economic, political and even religious implications. The human issues are often lost in the debate. Dying to Live is a profound look at the human face of the migrant. It explores who these people are, why they leave their homes, and what they face in their journey. Drawing on the insight of Pulitzer Prize winning photographers, theologians, church and congressional leaders, activists, musicians and the immigrants themselves, this film explores the place of conflict, pain and home along the Mexican-US border. It is a reflection of the human struggle for a more dignified life in search of God in the midst of it all.

21 Church Disaffiliation: What s Next? November 13, 6:30-8:00pm Donations appreciated Church and culture are at a new intersection. Cultural secularization has led some to see faith and religion as optional. A great number of people are choosing movement away from traditional forms of worship, finding themselves opting out of organized religion and feeling spiritually homeless. New insights trigger questions and doubts. Many are still hungry to grow and engage their faith, searching with other likeminded spiritual curiosity seekers. This is an opportunity to consider the questions, find deeper meaning as part of a larger story, and engage in a community. We honor your journey and receive your story without judgement. The evening is simply a dialogue to explore new options. Reverend Katy Lee, Youth and Young Adult Pastor and Justice Coordinator at Christ United Methodist and Sister Marlys Jax, Program Coordinator at Assisi Heights Spirituality Center, will facilitate the evening s roundtable discussion. In my journey as a Catholic Scholar, what have I really learned? First of all, that we cannot keep the Holy Spirit out of the church, no matter how much we try to domesticate the whole enterprise. Secondly, that the church is wiser and more faithful when it listens discerningly to many voices, even those outside the boundaries. - Monika Hellwig Inclusion, Hope and Healing November 16, 6:30pm-8:00pm and November 17, 9:00am-2:00pm $45 preregistered/prepaid, includes lunch. Additional $45 for overnight accommodations and breakfast. Contact Angie at A retreat to explore LGBTQ spiritual stories that make us strong, resilient, and hopeful; along with acknowledging the challenges of exclusion. The day will include sharing stories as LGBTQ people, allies, parents, siblings and pastoral ministers. A film The Bible Tells Me So, will lay the groundwork for the collective dialogue. All are welcome! Mary Bridget Lawson, MA, is recently retired working for the past 29 years in St. Louis County Public Health and Human Services in Duluth. She taught at the College of St. Scholastica for 27 years as adjunct professor in the Dignitas Program and the Graduate Program in the School of Business and Technology. She has led a variety of diversity and inclusion initiatives. Mary is a third generation Irish Catholic from the Chosen Valley of Chatfield, MN. Dr. Gary J. Boelhower, PhD, is professor emeritus of Theology at the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, MN. He teaches healthcare ethics, health humanities, moral issues, death and dying, leadership and religions of the world. In addition to teaching for over 45 years, he has served as dean of lifelong learning, dean of graduate studies, and vice president of academic affairs. 19

22 Death Café November 19, 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. The participants determine topics. Join us for an evening of life-giving conversation, coffee and dessert! The evening is part of Rochester s month long celebration during November by various organizations: Reflecting on Death and Dying: A Series of Community Events. Audrey Lukasak has served as a teacher, pastor, chaplain and hospice bereavement coordinator for over 25 years. She has a passion for creating multi-generational spaces where people are able to engage in conversations about living life, leaving a legacy and reflecting on what is important at the end of life. 20 The Kelloggs: The Battling Brothers of Battle Creek Book Discussion and Luncheon December 4, 11:30-1:00pm $14 preregistered/prepaid, includes lunch. Join us for a discussion over lunch on The Kelloggs: The Battling Brothers of Battle Creek by Howard Markel. At the dawn of the 20th Century, Battle Creek, MI, was the site of a revolution in cooked breakfast cereal. The introduction of Corn Flakes led to the explosion of cold cereals created by two misfits who disliked each other. Each ultimately sued the other over the rights to market Corn Flakes. Being ahead of their times, they were aware of the hazards of smoking, lack of exercise, and eating too much red meat. Both hoped to revolutionize food and medicine but ambition ruined the family and left the brothers miserable. Sister Claren Sellner and Cojourner Mary Wellik will moderate the discussion. Both are avid readers and enjoy lively discussions.

23 Advent in the Spirit of St. Nicholas December 6, 2:30-3:30pm Donations appreciated Advent is a season of anticipation, preparation and longing. It has a dual focus of past and future, symbolizing the spiritual journey of knowing Christ has come, is present, and will come again. Our task is to live well in the in between times. On this feast of St. Nicholas, we ll hear stories of the between times of promise and the unfolding of hope. Father Jim Russell has served in a variety of parishes in the Winona Diocese, as Spiritual Director at IHM Seminary in Winona, and in Peru, South America for three years. He is now enjoying semi-retirement in Wabasha, MN. A Christmas Kaffeeklatsch December 8, 1:30-3:30pm $35 preregistered/prepaid. Registrations required by November 30. Reservation holders will be seated in the festively decorated parlors to enjoy an afternoon luncheon with coffee and conversation. German heritage or language is not required, only the anticipation of a good time. Enjoy heavenly treats, a sweet dessert and a sparkling beverage while relaxing and reminiscing of Christmases past. For seating options, please include the names of the members of your party. If registering online, you can list them in the comments area. Breakfast with La Virgen Morena (The Brown Virgin) December 12, 7:00-8:00am $10 preregistered/prepaid. Registration required by December 5. In this winter season, find inspiration from a Mestiza pregnant woman, who today gives life and value particularly to the spirituality of Spanish speaking peoples. Learn the warmth of the culture and the unmistakable relationship to the virgin who, at its heart, is a blessing to all. Mexicans will tell you they are 90% Catholic and 100% Guadalupan. A brownskinned virgin appeared to Aztec peasant Juan Diego in December of 1531 and asked Juan, in his native language of Nahuatl, to have a church built in her honor on the site. When a dubious archbishop asked for a sign, Juan found out-of-season red roses from the snowy hillside and wrapped them in his Tilma (cloak). Miraculously, upon delivery the Tilma was found to have an imprint of the Virgin on the inside. La Virgen Morena (The Brown Virgin) is patroness of Mexico and Empress of the Americas. Enjoy a Mexican breakfast while hearing the stories of Sister Carol Ann Berte, OSF, from Dubuque, IA, who lived and worked amidst the Hispanic culture. 21

24 Save the Date! Upcoming events: Forgiveness: Moving Beyond Life s Hurts January 26, 2019 Storytelling: Confessions of Compassion March 7, 2019 Journey into God March 9, 23, April 6, 2019 Irish Fest March 17, 2019 Experience splendor & wonder in the Parlors as the story of the nativity comes to life. Join us for a Special Prayer Service, a Christmas on the Hill favorite. Dine on heavenly treats from the Italian appetizer buffet and gourmet dessert bar. Bid on Silent & Live Auction packages benefitting the ministries of the Sisters of Saint Francis. 22 Saturday, December 1, :00 pm $50 per person We invite you to begin your Advent journey at the home of the Sisters of Saint Francis. Reservations required Limited seats available. We look forward to seeing you! We thank God for you and your generous heart! Enjoy an Angelic Experience

25 Clare Art Studio 1st and 3rd Friday afternoons, 1:00-4:00pm* 2nd and 4th Saturday mornings, 9:00am- Noon* Membership fee: $40 per year Artists gather to share their creative spirits in fun weekly open studio sessions. Everyone brings their own art gear and plays with various mediums: drawing, coloring, painting, designing. All skills are welcome because everyone has to start somewhere! Our group is encouraging and supportive of lifelong learning opportunities. Classes are available through the Assisi Heights Spirituality Center. We participate in local area workshops or shows throughout the year. We meet the first and third Friday afternoons from 1:00-4:00pm and the second and fourth Saturday mornings 9:00am-Noon at Assisi Heights. Julie Murray, Clare Art Studio muse, facilitates activities. To join, contact Angie at *Excluding holidays Spiritual Direction Spiritual direction is an ancient process of accompanying a person in their spiritual journey toward freedom and peace. It is an encounter to explore a deeper relationship with the spiritual aspect of being human. Spiritual direction helps people tell their sacred stories, seeking clarity on how the divine interacts with them concretely in their daily life. It is an endeavor to grow in personal insights and understandings. Inquire: or or ahsc@rochesterfranciscan.org. 23

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 your group s dress rehearsal here. For more information call ext. 231 or kim.jaworski@assisiheights.org. 24

27 Become a Franciscan! Have you, or someone you know considered: Becoming a Sister of Saint Francis of Rochester, MN? Becoming a Cojourner? (Women and men associates joining on a spiritual journey with the Sisters.) Visit our website: and select: We Invite You! For more information: To become a Sister Contact: ramona.miller@rochesterfranciscan.org To become a Cojourner Contact: cojourner@rochesterfranciscan.org 25

28 Calendar at a Glance September 2018 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Meditation pg Yoga: The Peaceful Path to Resilience pg Nature Scavenger Hunt pg Meditation pg A Walking Retreat pg A Day in the Life of a Sister! pg Touch the Sky Prairie Walk pg Bear Aware! pg. 6 The Nonviolent Life Book Discussion pg Balancing Your Constitution pg. 7 Meditation pg A Walking Retreat pg Stories in Stone pg See the Lite pg Meditation pg St. Mary of the Angels Chapel Tour, Winona MN pg. 9 A Walking Retreat pg Conversation with Books pg Stories in Stone pg Blessing of the Animals pg. 9 26

29 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday A Still and Quiet Conscience Book Discussion and Luncheon pg. 10 Meditation pg. 4 October Transitus of St. Francis pg. 10 A Walking Retreat pg The Spirituality of St. Francis: Option 1 pg. 10 The Spirituality of St. Francis: Option 2 pg The Spirituality of St. Francis: Option 3 pg The Spirituality of St. Francis: Option 4 pg Contemporary Reflection on Rublev s Icon of Community (Trinity) pg. 11 Meditation pg The Yoga of Mindfulness: A Silent Retreat: Option 1-4 pg Boundless Compassion: Creating a Way of Life pg Compassionate Acceptance: A Genuine Path to Profound Healing pg How to Become a Gentleman: Boys Stepping Up! pg. 14 Meditation pg. 4 T'ai Chi Chih* 17 - T'ai Chi Chih (Beginners)* 18 - T'ai Chi Chih* 19 - Believing in God in a Suffering World pg Journey of Gratitude pg Journey of Gratitude pg. 15 Meditation pg Weekend of Silence: Option 1-2 pg Weekend of Silence: Option 3 pg. 15 Creating Pathways for the Eye pg Journey of Peace IX The Voice of Hope! pg Exploring with Soul Collage pg Meditation pg *Not in book, see website 27

30 November 2018 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday The Art of Storytelling: Famous Last Words pg Dakota: A Spiritual Geography Book Discussion and Luncheon pg. 17 Meditation pg Gift of Love pg Dying to Live: A Migrant s Journey Film/Discussion pg Church Disaffiliation: What s Next? pg. 19 Meditation pg Inclusion, Hope and Healing pg Death Café pg Meditation pg

31 December 2018 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday The Kelloggs: The Battling Brothers of Battle Creek Book Discussion and Luncheon pg. 20 Meditation pg Advent in the Spirit of St. Nicholas pg A Christmas Kaffeeklatsch pg Meditation pg Breakfast with La Virgen Morena pg Meditation pg

32 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 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. To inquire about our availability, call or ahsc@rochesterfranciscan.org. 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. Mass Times Eucharistic Liturgy is celebrated Sunday - Thursday at 11:00am in Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel at Assisi Heights. All are Welcome! 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 Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel at Assisi Heights 30

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

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

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

36 Sisters of St. Francis Assisi Heights Spirituality Center th Street NW, 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