One Day Offerings

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 IN PERSON AND ZOOM UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED

THE GRACE OF BEAUTY
FALLING IN LOVE WITH THE GOD OF BEAUTY

       Tuesday, September 10       9:30 AM – 1:30 PM

This year, I am starting our one-day programs out with a day on the Grace of Beauty because we as a culture and a world are in such need of seeing the beauty of God in all things. You will receive Melannie Svoboda’s book, The Grace of Beauty, to help you usher in this Fall season with the practice of noticing beauty around you. We will buddy up with a partner to enjoy the book together throughout the season and come together again in November to see what difference the practice of noticing beauty makes in your life.  

Led by S. Marcy. Donation: $40, includes lunch & book. Zoom: $25

PERSONAL RETREAT DAY

     Wednesday, September 11      9:30 AM – 2:30 PM

Take a day away from the busyness of your life to rest a while in the Lord and experience God’s presence. Come to Francis House for silence, personal prayer, and optional spiritual direction. The day begins and ends with a brief prayer together. Please bring your lunch. Donation: $10; $40 with spiritual direction.

IN-PERSON ONLY
CREATION IS GOD’S LOVE

       Friday, September 13             9:30 AM – 1:00 PM

Spend time exploring creation using all of your senses! In simple ways, we will watch how God’s love is revealed in nature. Come and enjoy this day of “play” outside! Led by 

Jill Snyder. Donation: $25, includes lunch. 

DISCERNMENT MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE IN YOUR WORLD! 

       Tuesday, September 17        9:30 AM – 1:00 PM

I’m willing if you are!  This retreat includes the full teaching of Ignatian Discernment of Spirits!  If you find yourself sliding down “the greasy pole” of desolation or negative thinking, this day will help you immensely. The Ignatian teaching on discernment is life changing as we practice awareness, understanding and right action regarding the various spirits that present themselves to us day by day and moment by moment. Led by S. Marcy. Donation: $35, includes lunch and materials. Zoom: $30

IN-PERSON ONLY
GOD’S EVER-PRESENT LOVE IN MOTION

       Friday, September 20         9:30 AM – 1:00 PM

We all yearn to be aware of the presence of God in our daily lives, no matter where we are or what we are doing. God invites you to come as you are. We will experience His ever-present love through Centering Prayer, music, and movement. Come feel your heartbeat and let the Spirit move you! Led by Bernadette Citarella. Donation: $25, includes lunch

ANIMA CHRISTI PRAYER “SOUL OF CHRIST”

       Monday, September 30        1:00 – 3:00 PM

Draw closer to Christ (and gain comfort/strength) by deeply listening to the words of this ancient prayer. Phrase by phrase Anima Christi is connected to Scripture passages which  we will explore as we pray the words of its ancient form as well as its contemporary form by David Fleming, SJ.  Led by Jill Snyder. Donation: $20

 IN PERSON AND ZOOM UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED

 LIFE LESSONS FROM OUR MENTOR, THÉRÈSE OF LISIEUX

       Tuesday, October 1          9:30 AM – 2:00 PM

Thérèse of Lisieux is widely known for her life of simple and practical holiness. Despite her popularity, however, many contemporary people are unfamiliar with her strikingly modern psychological and spiritual insights, and some may be inclined to dismiss her loving life as naïve or immature. They would be missing a treasure! In this retreat, we will look at how Thérèse mentors us on the way to emotional health and spiritual maturity from her own experience of loss, love, addiction and healing. With disarming humor, unsparing honesty and bold confidence, Thérèse teaches us that the merciful God of the Gospel is always on our side. Her Little Way offers us the life lessons of Inner Freedom, Compassion, Creativity, A Willing Spirit, Gratefulness, and Self-Surrender. Led by Marisa Guerin, PhD. 

Donation: $35, includes lunch. Zoom $30

THE VIRTUE OF HOSPITALITY AND THE PRESENCE OF ANGELS

        Wednesday, October 2          9:30 AM – 1:00 PM

“Do not neglect hospitality, for through it some have unknowingly entertained angels.”  (Heb 13:2) What can we make of this quote from the Letter to the Hebrews? Why is hospitality so important? How can we live according to the virtue of hospitality… and why should we? Come - on this feast of the Guardian Angels - to explore these and other questions raised by this provocative quote. Led by JoLynn Krempecki. 

Donation: $25, includes lunch. Zoom: $20

IN-PERSON ONLY 

CELEBRATE ST. FRANCIS

       Friday, October 4            9:30 AM –1:00 PM

We will have a wonderful celebration of St. Francis! We begin our day by viewing an inspiring film by Bishop Robert Barron on St. Francis. You will feel like you are in Assisi! We will spend some time outdoors, weather permitting, to enjoy the beauty of creation as Francis insists and conclude with the celebration of Liturgy and lunch. Led by S. Marcy and Jill Snyder. Donation: $30, includes lunch. 

SACRED SILENCE

       Monday, October 7         9:30 AM – 1:00 PM

Brother David Steindl-Rast, a Benedictine monk, guides us in The Way of Silence as a path and a gift to becoming aware that we stand on Holy Ground everywhere. He writes, “Surely it is the degree to which we are in touch with the Holy One as the inexhaustible fire in the midst of all things.” Led by Jill Snyder. Donation: $25, includes lunch. Zoom: $20

A SIMPLE LIFE-CHANGING PRAYER

       Tuesday, October 8          9:30 AM –1:00 PM

Examen is a daily prayer practice designed to help you notice and enjoy God's presence in your everyday life. As you grow in its daily practice you will begin to be aware of God's presence everywhere.  If you would like to end every day with gratitude and hope, please come to this one-day presentation on Ignatian Examen. It's no exaggeration to say that Examen changes everything. It might change things for you too! Led by S. Marcy. 

Donation: $35 includes lunch/book. Zoom: $20

PERSONAL RETREAT DAY

     Wednesday, October 9       9:30 AM – 2:30 PM

Take a day away from the busyness of your life to rest a while in the Lord and experience God’s presence. Come to Francis House for silence, personal prayer, and optional spiritual direction. The day begins and ends with a brief prayer together. Please bring your lunch. Donation: $10; $40 with spiritual direction.

HOLY TRINITY IS A COMMUNION OF LOVE

       Friday, October 11         9:30 AM –1:00 PM

Together we delight in God’s invitation “that all may be one” (John 17:21) in the communion and love of the Holy Trinity. Passages of the Gospel of St. John and Michael Gaitley’s The One Thing Is Three: How The Most Holy Trinity Explains Everything will be used. Led by Jill Snyder. Donation: $25, includes lunch. Zoom: $20

THE 7–SECOND PAUSE

       Tuesday, October 15          9:30 AM –1:00 PM

The Mystics, from St. Teresa to Brother Lawrence to Thomas Merton and Thomas Keating all agree that learning and practicing a contemplative pause to remember the Presence of God changes your life and your relationships with God, yourself and others. Please come to this morning retreat and experience the transformation awaiting you in a very simple yet profound practice of prayer and presence. Led by S. Marcy. Donation: $25, includes lunch. Zoom: $20

SIMPLIFYING LIFE:  CLEANING UP & CLEANING OUT

        Tuesday, October 29          9:30 AM – 1:00 PM

Fall teaches us to let go in order to make some room for God. Do you find yourself complaining, “I have too much stuff!” Is de-cluttering one of your desires as 2024 draws to a close? We are each going to make a plan to clean up and clean out, to simplify and enjoy life more, to have a lighter grasp and a freer heart for the more important things of life. We will gather again in January for a progress report. Step by step, with the support of a partner and heartfelt prayer, we will be clutter-free by Christmas! With God’s help, we can do it! Led by S. Marcy. Donation: $25, includes lunch. Zoom: $20   

 IN PERSON AND ZOOM UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED

WHERE IS HEAVEN?  THE CITY OF SAINTS AND THE HOUSE OF GOD

       Friday, November 1         9:30 AM – 1:00 PM

We gather to really celebrate the feast of All Saints this year! We will use St. Elizabeth of the Trinity’s letter entitled Heaven in Faith as she reveals the way to find union with God in the “heaven of our soul.” She reminds us of Paul's words. “We are no longer guests or strangers, but we belong to the city of Saints and the House of God.” (Eph. 2) What do you believe about heaven?  Led by S. Marcy. Donation: $30, materials and lunch included. Zoom: $20. Liturgy for the  Feast Day at 11:30 AM. 

IN-PERSON ONLY
GOD BLESS AMERICA:  MORE THINGS ARE WROUGHT BY PRAYER

       Tuesday, November 5         9:30 AM – 1:00 PM

Francis House is a House of Prayer and on this Election Day we will do just that! Without any political conversation we will spend the morning in prayer for the holiness and peace of our nation as well as for all nations. If you feel drawn by God to pray for our country, please come and join us. We will end with Liturgy and lunch and have a peaceful prayerful day for the good of the world. A morning of prayer is always good! Led by S. Marcy. Donation: $25, includes lunch.

PERSONAL RETREAT DAY

     Wednesday, November 6      9:30 AM – 2:30 PM

Take a day away from the busyness of your life to rest a while in the Lord and experience God’s presence. Come to Francis House for silence, personal prayer, and optional spiritual direction. The day begins and ends with a brief prayer together. Please bring your lunch. Donation: $10; $40 with spiritual direction.

ELIZABETH OF THE TRINITY “A PRAISE OF GLORY”

       Tuesday, November 12      9:30 AM – 1:30 PM

We will explore the spirituality of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity using some of her major spiritual writings. There will be time to reflect and pray as St. Elizabeth shows us “the greatness of our vocation” as people made in the image and likeness of God, who “loves exceedingly.” Led by Father Bill Lago. Donation: $35, includes Liturgy and lunch. Zoom: $25

EUCHARIST:  GIVING THANKS WITH TEILHARD 

       Friday, November 15          9:30 AM – 12:00 PM

Teilhard witnessed a universe on fire with God at the heart of it. Allow yourself to be drawn deeper into God's love as you listen and reflect on Teilhard’s prayer of gratitude and reflect on your own experiences of Eucharist. Led by Jill Snyder. Donation: $20 

DOROTHY DAY:  BIG THINGS COME IN SMALL PACKAGES 

       Wednesday, November 20       9:30 AM – 12:00 PM

We will use a sampling of Dorothy’s essays to meet her at the heart and to learn how she lived out God’s call to serve in every small way possible. She lived and loved, following in the footsteps of her mentor, St. Thérèse of Lisieux. Led by Jill Snyder. Donation: $20

 IN PERSON AND ZOOM UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED

ADVENT RETREAT DAY

       Monday, December 2        9:30 AM – 1:00 PM

We will travel through Advent this year with Christmas at the Nativity by Pope Francis. What a perfect companion for this busy and stressful season! Again, we begin this holy season together doing what we can to make it more peaceful and prayerful. Led by S. Marcy. Donation: $35, includes lunch and book. Zoom: $20 

PERSONAL RETREAT DAY

     Wednesday, December 4      9:30 AM – 2:30 PM  

Take a day away from the busyness of your life to rest a while in the Lord and experience God’s presence. Come to Francis House for silence, personal prayer, and optional spiritual direction. The day begins and ends with a brief prayer together. Please bring your lunch. Donation: $10; $40 with spiritual direction.

ADVENT: WAITING IN HOPE FOR THE LIGHT

       Friday, December 6      9:30 AM – 1:30 PM

Before the Christmas hustle and bustle takes over, come bask in the Advent season of waiting, wonder, and longing.  In music, prayer, and shared faith, let the God of hope speak to you. Led by S. Eileen White, GNSH. Donation: $30, includes lunch. Zoom: $20  

IN-PERSON ONLY
IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE

       Tuesday, December 10        9:30 AM – 1:00 PM

The old familiar It’s a Wonderful Life, is ever ancient, ever new! What does the story say to me now? We will view the film, share its Christmas message, and enjoy a fabulous lunch. What a great Advent morning as we grow in appreciation of the gift of our lives. This will be fun and remarkably impactful for your Advent Season. Led by S. Marcy. Donation: $25, lunch included.  

BE BORN IN ME: MAKE MY HEART YOUR BETHLEHEM

       Monday, December 16         9:30 AM – 1:00 PM

This retreat morning will allow you the time and space to celebrate Christmas spiritually, as most of us do not have that opportunity on the day itself. Spending this time with God makes a huge difference in the final days before Christmas, as you continue your preparation for the feast and will enhance your entire Christmas Season. “I’ll hold you in the beginning, you will hold me in the end. Every moment in the middle, make my heart your Bethlehem. Be Born in Me.”(Battistelli) Led by Jill Snyder. Donation: $25, lunch included. Zoom: $20

THE END OF THE YEAR RETREAT

       Tuesday, December 31          9:30 AM – 2:00 PM

Since God gives us life and time and is Lord over all, it seems appropriate to end the year in prayer. Francis House offers time, space and quiet for naming the graces of 2024 and expressing gratitude to God. The day will focus on our goals, hopes and desires for 2025.  We reverently say farewell to 2024 and cordially welcome 2025 as a gift from God.  Please bring your lunch. Led by S. Marcy. Donation: Love Offering

ADVENT BEGINS ON SUNDAY DECEMBER 1. USE THE LINK BELOW TO SEE ALL DECEMBER ONE DAY PROGRAMS, SERIES AND RETREAT OFFERINGS.