CHIARA CENTER Let there be Light Programs and Services July 2014-July 2015 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 The exceptional staff at Chiara Center is ready to serve you. Hospitality is our hallmark. We are committed to the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis and their values of respect, care, competence, and joy. 2
Chiara (Clare), a woman of light set upon the hill of human history in Assisi, Italy in the 1200s, was a radiant light and guide leading the way for those seeking meaning in life. Today, Chiara Center, which bears the name of St. Clare of Assisi, is also a radiant light providing a place of healing and peace for all people. This year at Chiara Center, we celebrate the mystery and power of God s light which illumines dark places and hearts, and stirs up peace, hope, joy, and justice. Faith is not a light which scatters all our darkness, but a lamp which guides our steps in the night and suffices for the journey. Pope Francis 3
We believe in God who takes our smallest moment of hope and grows it forth like a tree with spreading branches for the sheltering of new life. We believe in Jesus Christ who walks tall among us, seen in our faces, felt in our hearts, bedded deep in the longing of our souls for all that is true, just and full of hope. We believe in the Holy Spirit who waits on our moments of openness and springs into the unknowns with joy and delight, that we might be called on beyond where we thought we could go where every step is walked on holy ground. Dorothy McRae-McMahon 4
Chiara Sponsored Opportunities Ah Days of Quiet 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. Massages are available and should be requested at the time of registration. July 28, 2014 January 12, 2015 October 6, 2014 March 23, 2015 If you are unable to attend on these dates, you may arrange your own day of quiet. Give us a call. Chiara Retreats A retreat is God s invitation to step out of the hectic pace and enter the haven of your deeper spirit. It s 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 19-24, 2014 June 14-19, 2015 Conference Retreat These themed retreats are scheduled for five days and are led by spiritual masters who provide daily discussions. Everyday Epiphanies: Seeking the Holy in Every Nook and Cranny Explore the ways God surprises us in everyday life. Retreat Director: Sister Melannie Svoboda, SND July 13-18, 2014 5
Sacred Darkness: Finding harmony with the rainbow and stars amidst the challenges of life. It is often darkness that sheds light on our world and helps us live more effectively and more fully. How is it that darkness empowers us? Paul Coutinho, well-known author of How Big Is Your God, teaches at St. Louis University and gives retreats and workshops throughout the United States. The retreat will include a full weekend with the option of taking additional days. Pre-registration required. Retreat Director: Paul Coutinho July 17-19, 2015 (July 20-23 optional additional days) Visit chiaracenter.org for registration forms for these retreats. Chiara Guided Retreats We have created two retreat experiences which can be self-led using our resources. The retreats can be used individually or in small groups. The first retreat, Catching Fire Becoming Flame: A Guide for Spiritual Transformation, is based on the work of Father Albert Haase, OFM. The retreat experience includes a small how-to retreat booklet, a book and DVD series. The second retreat, Sacred Rhythms: Spiritual Practices that Nourish Your Soul and Transform Your Life, is based on the work of Ruth Haley Barton. The retreat experience includes a small how-to retreat booklet, a book and DVD series. In the attitude of silence, the soul finds the path in a clearer light. Gandhi 6
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 give us a call 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. Spiritual Director Training Program Chiara Center offers a two-year training program for individuals who sense a call to spiritual guidance ministry. Led by Father Albert Haase, OFM, and Jessie Vicha, the program provides the knowledge and skills needed to become a spiritual director. The program, which is limited to 15 participants, is a well recognized program by many Christian denominations throughout Illinois. Through quarterly weekend spiritual direction sessions, lectures, and discussions, participants gain an understanding of the complex nature of spiritual direction. The Program, which is open to men and women of all Christian traditions, involves a program fee. 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 For more information visit chiaracenter.org, or call Sister Renita at 217-523-0901. 7
Lighten Up Thursday Dinner Series (6 p.m.) Life can be tough and sometimes we need to select the pause button and remember who really is the Light of the World. The evening begins with dinner at 6 p.m.followed by a presentation. I do not ask to see the distant scene one step enough for me. Lead thou me on! John Henry Newman Phone registration is required. Andiamo! Walk to Assisi September 25, 2014 Cathy Roszhart, OFS Benvenuto (welcome) to a Franciscan Wellness Challenge. Inspired by St. Francis Canticle of the Creatures, let s set off on a personal journey to wellness. Let s make it a fun journey by sharing the challenge with family, friends, and co-workers. Let s make it an inspiring journey as we discover St. Francis way to live in harmony with everything and everyone around him. Let s walk lightly and into the light. Andiamo (Let s go!) on our walk to Assisi, Italy. $20 per person, $35 per couple The Light Isn t Just at the End of the Tunnel November 6, 2014 Father Bob Jallas, St. Agnes Parish, Springfield, IL JK Jones, Eastview Church, Normal, IL Bishop John Roth, Evangelical Church in America It is not easy task to walk in the light. Much in life seems at odds. The very rhythm within us is often restless, fearful, aching, overcharged, overworked and filled with anxiety. Who teaches the soul, if not God? St. John of the Cross Join three spiritual leaders as they explore their journey and share how to lighten up and live in the light. Each of us comes to the light because of love, and each of us is called to love in order to remain in the light. Pope Francis 8
A New Spotlight on the Ordinary: Finding purpose, passion and meaning a mile from your house January 29, 2015 Darkness and many dawns in the first half of life March 5, 2015 Really big choices in the second half of life Ed Wojcicki The self-help industry has thousands of books to help you pursue your purpose and follow your dreams. Many are helpful, but some inadvertently cause you to chase a lie the lie that makes you feel that you are not good enough, not successful enough, not smart enough, or not wealthy enough. The truth is that many people privately wonder if they re doing something wrong because they don t have time or energy to search somewhere over the rainbow. They re too busy taking care of kids and going to work and worrying about bills and meanwhile, the dishes get dirty every day. Our culture praises achievements and fame and being busy all the time. By shedding a different kind of spotlight on the ordinary with the aid of his photography, Ed is working on a book that Sometimes I need only to stand wherever I am to be blessed. Mary Oliver finds an abundance of opportunities a mile from his house almost literally to have a deeply meaningful and wonderful life. He ll explain that you can experience the same in these two entertaining and countercultural presentations. These two sessions have similar themes, but each is independent of the other. So attend one or both. Spirituality in 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 most important conference in Spring 2015. 9
Recovery Programs Weekend Retreat: You Already Have It What keeps you from being grateful for and enjoying the gift of recovery? Join others in celebrating what you already have and learn how to live in the fullness of life s gifts. The retreat is open to those involved in a recovery program or are a family member searching for guidance. February 20-22, 2015 Retreat Leaders: Archie Ford, Chuck Kerwin, and David Kerwin Registration information found at chiaracenter.org. Retreat Days/Evenings Throughout the year, there are retreat evenings and day gatherings for persons tending their recovery. For specific dates, see the Recovery brochure in our brochure rack or visit chiaracenter.org. Nativity Festival Join us for our 8 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 5, 2014 2-7 p.m. Saturday, December 6, 2014 noon-4 p.m. Sunday, December 7, 2014 noon-4 p.m. The one place that is sure proof of the seed of God in every bleak field of life is in Bethlehem at the Nativity of Jesus. Joan Chittister 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. Give us a call to discuss your event and learn about our fees. We will provide you with an event Agreement and then reserve your dates. Every year more organizations and groups in the Midwest are discovering that Chiara Center is the best kept secret in Springfield. You can make this discovery, too. 11
Light Features at Chiara Center Spiritual Direction Spiritual direction is the prayerful 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. Chiara Center has persons trained in the art of spiritual direction. If you are seeking a spiritual guide, call us. 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, and often reduces pain. It frees the spirit to experience the goodness of God. Ursuline Sister Nancy is available to provide massages to Chiara guests. Massages are arranged by contacting Sister Nancy at 217-891-5724. Way of the Cross The Way of the Cross is an ancient form of Christian devotion. Here on this property, there are two places to walk in Jesus footsteps carrying the cross: 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. 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 calling us at 217-523-0901. 13
Sharing the Light of Chiara Through Social Media Chiara Newsletter 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 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 While Clare of Assisi was named patroness of television, we believe that today she would find Facebook an effective way to share God s light and goodness. Be friends with us on Facebook and you ll 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 distinguishing 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. Darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining. Gospel of John 14
Blessing of St. Francis The Lord bless you and keep you; May God s face shine upon you. May the Lord give you peace. Blessing of St. Clare May the Lord be with you everywhere. And may you be with Him. Contact Us Chiara Center 4875 LaVerna Road Springfield, Illinois 62707 217-523-0901 chiaracenter.org E-mail: info@chiaracenter.org Administrator: Peter Garvey Program Director: Sister Renita Brummer, OSF Executive Secretary: Melissa Renfro Administrative Secretary: Sheryl Mulhall 15
All photos: Chiara Center 16