LENTEN AND MARCH OFFERINGS

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 IN-PERSON OR ZOOM
ASH WEDNESDAY RETREAT

      Wednesday, February 22      9:30 AM – 1:30 PM

       LITURGY AT NOON

We love beginning Lent together with this retreat at Francis House because it provides a gentle structure for the six-week journey ahead. This year I thought you would enjoy A Simple Life-Changing Prayer by Jim Manney to guide your Lenten journey.  Liturgy is included with the reception of ashes within it. Led by S. Marcy. Donation: $35, includes lunch and book for your 6-week Lenten journey; Zoom $20.

GIVING UP OR GIVING IN?

     Thursday, February 23        9:30 AM – Noon

We have all become accustomed to approaching Lent with a “giving up,” plan.  There’s nothing wrong with that, but we might want to use this day for considering a “giving in,” plan. When we give up something for Lent, we retain control.  When we give in, we surrender.  Which type of “giving,” does God desire for your spiritual growth? Perhaps today is THE day to ask God! Led by S. Marie. Donation: $20

THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME

     4 Thursdays      2:00 – 3:30 PM

     February 23      March 9      March 23      April 6

If you are familiar with the spiral effect, then you will understand why the story of the Prodigal Son is never over.  Upon each hearing the Father’s love spirals ever more deeply into our hearts.  Come, receive this love through reflection and sharing with Henri Nouwen’s, The Return of the Prodigal Son. Led by S. Marie. Donation: $ 60

THE QUALITY OF MERCY

      4 Fridays 10:00 – 11:30 AM

      February 24      March 17      March 24      March 31

Deep within every human being is the desire to love our neighbor: i.e. to live the works of mercy. The challenge is to enflesh such a desire into our ordinary lives.   Kerry Weber’s book, Mercy in the City, gives a template to integrate this desire with creativity and joy! Come join us as we explore the call to mercy. Led by S. Marie. Donation: $ 60

ZOOM ONLY
NO GREATER LOVE:  A BIBLICAL WALK THROUGH CHRIST’S PASSION

     5 Mondays: February 27, March 6, 13, 20, 27

     9:30 – 11:00 AM 

Want to make Lent and Holy Week 2023 more meaningful for yourself? Why not join us for a biblical pilgrimage that reveals Christ’s amazing love for you? Filmed on location in the Holy Land, Dr. Edward Sri will lead us through the last hours of Christ’s life, from Gethsemane to Mount Calvary. Through reading the book, watching the 30-minute DVD sessions, and taking part in the group discussions, we will come to see how Old Testament prophecies, biblical symbolism and historical context shed new light on Christ’s suffering and death. Please buy the book by the same name from Ascension Press. Led by S. Pat Mensing, SSJ. Donation: $75

ZOOM ONLY
THE JOY OF FULL SURRENDER

     4 Tuesdays     7:00 – 8:00 PM

     February 28     March 14     March 21     March 28

The classics of spiritual literature continue to capture me and this one by Jean Pierre de Caussade is among them. Full surrender to God is indeed the desire of all our hearts. I am hoping you are willing to give about 20 minutes a day to reading this classic which we will lovingly reflect on during our 4 sessions together. Led by S. Marcy. Donation: $50

IN PERSON ONLY

STATIONS OF THE CROSS

     Friday, March 10       9:30 AM – Noon

The Stations of the Cross never stop revealing Christ’s story to us!  Today, let us consider how those very same Stations, also reveal our stories!  Let Christ be your companion as you consider the challenge and the grace of your own cross.
Led by S. Marie. Donation: Love Offering

REVIVED BY THE EUCHARIST

     Wednesday, March 15      9:30 AM – 2:00 PM

During the Eucharistic Revival we want to be “revived” by the Eucharist.  Join Fr. Bill Lago for a presentation on a few ways to refocus our intentionality in receiving the Eucharist.  

Sharing from insights by Raniero Cantalamessa, we will reflect on several ways to approach a renewed and revived appreciation of the mystery of the Mass and the august privilege of taking part in sharing in the Body of Christ.  The day will include silent reflection and conversation along with lunch and conclude with a celebration of the Mass. Donation: $35, Zoom $25.

ENCOUNTER THE WISDOM OF CELTIC SPIRITUALITY

     Friday, March 17      9:30 AM – 2:00 PM

At the heart of all Celtic spirituality is the experience of encounter! Nature, music, dance, family, friends and prayer itself opens a door which welcomes us to an encounter with the Divine Love of God.  Come, join us as we proclaim to all of life, Céad Míle Fáilte! Led by S. Lisa Breslin, SSJ. Donation: $30, includes lunch; Zoom $25

THE QUIET MAN

     Monday, March 20     9:30 AM – 1:15 PM

In a world of texting, tweeting, emailing, instant messaging and blogging, take a “shh,” moment and reacquaint yourself with St. Joseph.  Listen and learn from his silence, so that your actions may become as life-giving as his. Led by S. Marie. Donation: $25, includes lunch; Zoom $20

GOD CHOOSES THE UNLIKELY

     Tuesday, March 21      9:30 AM – 1:00 PM

We will use Caravaggio’s famous painting The Call of St. Matthew to lead our reflection and open us to prayer on Jesus’ call to each of us, individually and uniquely to “Come follow me.” Are you an “unlikely choice” too? A wonderful Lenten retreat! Led by S. Marcy. Donation: $25, includes lunch; Zoom $20. 

GRIEVING OUR LOSSES AS PEOPLE OF FAITH

     Wednesday, March 22    9:30 AM – 2:00 PM

     Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted.

Anyone who is dealing with the loss of a loved one is welcome to attend this Retreat Day. We will focus on grieving and mourning the loss of our loved ones and the various emotions one could expect to experience. We will also explore diverse types of losses, such as a sudden death or prolonged illness. Finally, we will look at ways to navigate the process of mourning, with Jesus as our Companion, as well as the support of family and friends. Led by S. Anne Myers, SSJ, PhD. Donation: $35 includes lunch; Zoom $30

BLESSED AND ANOINTED

     Monday, April 3     1:00 – 4:00 PM

Today in many dioceses, the Chrism Mass is celebrated by the Bishop. During Mass, the oils of catechumens, the sick and the sacred chrism are blessed. Aware of the power of these sacred oils, let us recount the blessing of our baptism, the healing we all desire and the call each one of us has to be priest, prophet and king. Led by S. Marie.  Donation: $20

ZOOM ONLY
TRIDUUM MORNING PRAYER

     April 6 – 7 – 8      9:00 – 10:00 AM

The outpouring of Divine Love experienced on Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday draws from us deep gratitude. Join us as we express our thanksgiving through communal Morning Prayer each day. Led by S. Marie. Donation: Love Offering.

SILENT DIRECTED RETREAT WEEKEND  February 24 – 26 March 24 - 26

5-DAY SILENT DIRECTED RETREAT  February 26 – March 3 March 26 - 31

CENTERING PRAYER RETREAT WEEKEND  March 3 – 5  

PERSONAL RETREAT DAY   March 8    

SILENT DIRECTED RETREAT WEEKEND  March 17 – 19

PERSONAL RETREAT DAY  March 24  

LENTEN  7 – DAY SILENT DIRECTED RETREAT March 24 – 31 

PALM SUNDAY OVERNIGHT RETREAT April 1 – 2      

PERSONAL RETREAT DAY  April 5