Take and Eat Programs & Services 2015-2016 A little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough. Gal. 5:9 1
Our Mission Chiara Center is a faith community dedicated to the discovery and healing presence of God within one s self, everyday life, relationships, and all of creation. All programs, services, and hospitality are grounded in the spirit and heritage of St. Francis of Assisi and St. Clare of Assisi. Our Logo Our logo is set in a circular motif representing wholeness. Light and dark reflect the rhythms of life opening one to God s compassion, healing, and peace. The Tau Cross, an ancient Biblical symbol embraced by St. Francis, invites one to gaze, consider, contemplate, and enter the Mystery. Our Staff Our staff is ready to serve you and hospitality is our hallmark. We are committed to the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis and our Core Values of respect, care, competence, and joy. 2
Take and Eat These words are some of the most significant words Jesus spoke to us, and we also hear these words from our mothers and from our friends. Life is about sharing bread: bread represents God s care of us and the invitation to care for each other. The central liturgical act of the Christian tradition is a meal expressing the life of human beings bound together as a community. This year, Chiara Center celebrates bread, and there are three key events in the life of Clare of Assisi that involve bread. First, in 1228, Pope Gregory IX came to Assisi, Italy for the canonization of St. Francis, and he visited Clare and her Sisters. When the Pope was asked to bless the bread for their meal, he invited Clare to bless the bread. When she humbly obeyed, a cross appeared on each small loaf of bread. At another time, there was only one loaf of bread for food, and Clare asked the Sisters to divide the loaf and give half to the brothers and the poor well over 50 people. The one small loaf was multiplied, and everyone was fed. Scene from dossal of Clare painting depicting Clare multiplying bread. Years later, the Saracen army was preparing to attack Assisi and everyone was gathered in fear as the city gates were shut. Clare and her Sisters remained outside the walls, vulnerable among the olive groves of San Damiano. Clare, who was very ill at the time, asked that the Eucharist be brought to her, and through prayer and a showing forth of the Bread of Life, the Saracens retreated. Bread take it, bless it, break it, and share it. 3
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Ah Days of Quiet Chiara sponsored opportunities Once each season, we reserve a day for you to come to Chiara Center and reflect on God s goodness in your life. Arrive at 9 a.m. and leave by 3 p.m. refreshed and filled with peace. The day includes a delicious lunch and massages are available (requested at the time of registration). July 20, 2015 January 25, 2016 July 11, 2016 October 19, 2015 March 21, 2016 If you are unable to attend on these dates, you may arrange your own day of quiet. Please contact us. Chiara Retreats A retreat is God s invitation to step out of the hectic pace and enter the haven of your deeper spirit. It is a time for deliberate attention to your spiritual journey and to be with God who loves you and calls you. There are several retreat options at Chiara Center including: Directed Retreat This retreat includes solitude, prayer, and a one-on-one daily session with a Chiara Center Spiritual Director. You will be wrapped in the quiet, healing, and harmony of God s presence at Chiara Center. You may choose to make it a three, four, or five day retreat. Pre-registration required. October 18-23, 2015 October 16-21, 2016 June 19-24, 2016 Private Personal Retreats Individuals, couples, and small groups are welcome to schedule retreat time at Chiara Center. We provide the atmosphere, sacred spaces, quiet, meals, and overnight guest rooms. Simply contact us and we will assist you in planning your retreat experience. Spiritual Directors are available and a request must be made at least one month in advance. 5
Chiara Self-Directed Retreats In the spirit of Chiara Center s mission of being a place of peace and healing, we have created flexible retreat opportunities which allow for each person or group to: schedule a time according to their own calendar choose a topic according to their own spiritual landscape create a retreat pace according to their own spirit. Chiara Center provides a range of topics and speakers/authors for your personal retreat and provides the CD/DVD resources for the retreat. Visit chiaracenter.org to see a Powerpoint presentation of the retreat possibilities and to learn how to register for these special retreat opportunities. Conference Retreat Messages from the Mystics Retreat Leader: Kathleen Davis July 17 22, 2016 This retreat will introduce you to wisdom figures and their messages. It will help you discover your own call to be a mystic and how to let this call emerge. This silent five day retreat includes daily talks, prayer and rituals. Kathleen Davis is a full time spiritual director and retreat leader from St. Louis, MO. She and her husband have three adult children. 6
Spiritual Direction Spiritual direction is the contemplative practice of helping another person or group to awaken to the mystery called God in all of life, and to respond to that discovery in a growing relationship of freedom and commitment. James Keegan, SJ Chiara Center is a site for spiritual direction and persons trained in the art of spiritual direction are available to journey with persons on an individual basis. Ordinarily, a person meets with the Spiritual Director at regularly scheduled times at Chiara Center. If you are interested in exploring the possibility of spiritual direction, contact us and one of the Spiritual Directors will be in contact with you. Spirituality and Healthcare Conference This annual conference co-sponsored by Chiara Center and Hospital Sisters Health System addresses where God may be found in healthcare, how to be faithful in the midst of suffering and tremendous change, and how to find transcendent meaning in the healthcare profession. Continuing nurse education contact hours are awarded. The specific topic, presenter, and date will be announced when details are complete. Watch for news about this conference in Spring 2016 7
Food & Faith Dinner Series The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed with three measures of flour until the whole batch was leavened. Mt. 13:33 Our dinner speaker series celebrates bread, a Christian symbol of community and global solidarity. Jesus took bread, blessed bread, broke bread and shared bread. We are invited to do the same. Nourish the body and the spirit as we share a meal and explore the rich symbolism of bread through the words of our guest presenters. 8
Bring your friends. Enjoy a wonderful meal. Spend time with our featured presenters. Our Dinner Series (reservation required): Thursday, September 10, 2015 at 6 p.m. Unless a Grain of Wheat Rick Siemer Father Steve Janoski Thursday, November 19, 2015 at 6 p.m. Spirituality of Picnics Sister Renita Brummer, OSF Thursday, January 28, 2016 at 6 p.m. Pass the Bread, Please Dan and Sherry Frachey Friday, March 11, 2016 at 6 p.m. Spirituality of Breadmaking Father Dominic Garramone, OSB A whole batch of bread is made holy if the first handful of dough is made holy. Romans 11:16 Stale bread is not hard; what is hard is to live without bread. Paul Claudel 9
Recovery Retreat Spirituality in Recovery Pitfalls and Opportunities Addiction recovery is a challenging time, and no one is born with a road map or manual to illuminate the way. Recovery is not a straight line process, and so the retreat will explore common pitfalls as well as opportunities in the journey of recovery. The retreat is open to those involved in a recovery program or are a family member searching for guidance. February 19-21, 2016 Retreat Leaders: Archie Ford, Chuck Kerwin, and David Kerwin Registration information found at chiaracenter.org. Nativity Festival Join us for our 9 th Annual Nativity Festival. Experience the deeper meaning of the Incarnation through a display of more than 100 Nativity sets from around the world. Loaned to us by friends, each set has a story which speaks of the presence of God in the midst of people s lives. Free and open to the public, the Festival includes a tour of St. Francis of Assisi Church. Friday, December 4, 2015 2-7 p.m. Saturday, December 5, 2015 noon-4 p.m. Sunday, December 6, 2015 noon-4 p.m. 10
Hosting your event Looking for an inspiring place to have a special gathering, a retreat, a conference, a seminar, or a workshop? Consider Chiara Center We provide meeting rooms of various sizes, comfortable overnight accommodations, wireless access, AV support, and healthy food options. All this in a peaceful setting with incredible views and walking paths. We are centrally located and easy to find. Our prices are modest. Contact us to discuss your event and learn about our fees. We will provide you with an event Agreement and reserve your dates. Each year, more organizations and groups are discovering that Chiara Center is a gem in the heart of Illinois. You can make this discovery too. 11
Nourishing Features at Chiara Center Labyrinth Walking a labyrinth is a spiritual practice embraced by those seeking to deepen their faith in the Divine. The labyrinth, which symbolizes a path to God and is one of the oldest known contemplative spiritual practices, is a new feature at Chiara Center. Massage Through massage therapy, healing hands relax, restore, and renew the body, mind, and spirit. Massage therapy improves circulation and flexibility, relieves stress, often reduces pain, and frees the spirit to experience the goodness of God. Please contact us. Way of the Cross The Way of the Cross is an ancient form of Christian devotion. There are two places to walk in Jesus footsteps while at Chiara Center: in St. Francis of Assisi Church and on the walking trails. A booklet of prayer is available to guide guests through this journey of the heart. 12
Gift Display Chiara Center has a display of distinctive Franciscan items for Chiara guests to purchase as a means of continuing the Chiara experience. Healing stones, sacred oils, pottery, tea lights, and bowls, along with Franciscan reflection booklets and crosses, are among the unique Chiara items. Walking Paths Chiara Center provides a wonderful Guide to Outdoor Sacred Places as a way to enjoy walking the many paths on these holy, historical grounds where creation speaks so clearly of healing and God s bountiful goodness. Franciscans believe that creation was the first book which God wrote. Tours Chiara Center welcomes tours of small groups, organizations, and institutions. Tours include a history of the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis and their property, St. Francis of Assisi Church, and the Heritage Museum. A meal and overnight stays are also an option. Bus tours are welcome. Tours may be arranged by contacting us. 13
Nourishing Life Through Social Media Chiara Light You can experience a touch of Chiara Center each month when you sign up to receive our e-newsletter, Chiara Light. On the 11 th of each month, Chiara Light will be emailed to you and will be filled with inspirational thoughts and happenings at Chiara Center. You will be part of the Chiara faith community who have experienced Franciscan peace and prayer on these sacred grounds. Facebook Facebook is a way to nourish and to be nourished if we choose wisely. Friend us on Facebook and you will see our postings of photos, inspirational thoughts, and also be informed about some of the groups who have blest Chiara Center with their presence. Website Our website reflects the sacred spirit of Chiara Center. It provides further information about our history, the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis, our sponsored events, registration forms, and our distinguished spiritual amenities. It also provides a photo tour through St. Francis of Assisi Church and our scenic grounds. Prayer Requests Let us know of prayer requests so that the faith community of Chiara Center and the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis can hold your intentions in their prayers. Quarterly, we have a special prayer service for all the requests. Clare blesses bread in the presence of Pope Gregory IX in 1228. 14
Jesus, first Bread blessed and broken, you ask me to be your leaven. You lift me to your Father and gift me with your loving. I, just a handful of dough, am asked to be the leaven for a whole batch of people so that faith will rise in hearts. It is humbling to be your leaven. I, just a handful of dough, am called by you to be kneaded, to bear the imprint of trust, giving life shaped by daily dyings. I, just a handful of dough, know so little about being leaven. Yet, you lift me up repeatedly, telling me that you love me, assuring me with the truth that you are my rising strength. Jesus, first one blessed and broken, make of me a good handful of dough, one who trusts enough to be kneaded, one who loves enough to be shared. Joyce Rupp Contact Us Chiara Center 4875 LaVerna Road Springfield, Illinois 62707 217-523-0901 chiaracenter.org E-mail: info@chiaracenter.org Administrator: Peter Garvey Executive Secretary: Melissa Renfro Administrative Secretary: Sheryl Mulhall 15
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