One - Day Offerings

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IN-PERSON OR ZOOM

OFF TO A GOOD START!

     Monday, January 4        9:30 AM – 1:00 PM

What better way to spend this day! Start out 2021 with a morning retreat to set the direction for the year. “Well begun is half done,” they say, and establishing a direction is essential for the journey. Where am I going in 2021? What is the desire of my heart, and God’s as we begin this year together? Donation: $25, with lunch; Zoom $20.

ZOOM ONLY

SETTING THE DIRECTION FOR 2021

     Monday, January 4      7:00 – 8:30 PM

Take a little time on this evening zoom retreat to gather your hopes and direction for 2021. What do you desire? What does God want for you as this new year begins? You will name the year, choose a saint to accompany you and make a reasonable plan to respond to God’s invitation. Donation: $15.

IN-PERSON OR ZOOM

OUR SEARCH FOR MEANING

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

“There is nothing in the world I venture to say that would effectively help one to survive even in the worst conditions as the knowledge that there is a meaning in one’s life.” (Viktor Frankl) Let’s return to Frankl’s classic, Man’s Search for Meaning to discover the timeless truth within, that love is all that matters. Donation: $25 with lunch; Zoom $20.

IN-PERSON OR ZOOM

UNMASKED

     Tuesday, January 12        9:30 AM – 1:00 PM

We are wearing masks these days, but do we realize there is another type of mask we wear? With the help of Thomas Keating and Thomas Merton discover how God wants to help us remove the mask of the False Self in order to uncover the True Self within. Donation: $25 with lunch; Zoom $20.

IN-PERSON OR ZOOM

MERTON & THE SPIRIT OF RESTLESSNESS

     Tuesday, January 19        9:30 AM – 1:00 PM

Merton describes himself in this way: “Paradoxically I have found peace because I have always been dissatisfied…if I were to settle down and be satisfied with the surface of life…it would be time to call the undertaker!” We will delve into Merton’s restlessness and our own to find the peace and freedom hidden within it. Donation: $25 with lunch, Zoom $20.

IN-PERSON ONLY

PERSONAL RETREAT DAY

      Wednesday, January 20      9:30 AM – 2:30 PM

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

IN-PERSON OR ZOOM

INAUGURATION DAY RETREAT: “WATCH” & PRAY

     Wednesday, January 20        9:30 AM – 2:30 PM

     Liturgy 9:30 AM

We will watch the inauguration together and surround the event with prayer for our country and the world. We will begin with Liturgy at 9:30 AM, include some private prayer time throughout the day, and enjoy lunch together for those who come in person. Donation: Love Offering

IN-PERSON ONLY

OVERNIGHT RETREAT FOR WOMEN
REIMAGINING LIFE, ADJUSTING TO CHANGE

     January 21 – 22       7 PM Thursday – 4 PM Friday

This retreat is for women over 50 who are adjusting to change in their lives. There are times in our life journey when we are visited with sudden or unwanted change. We will accept God’s invitation to re-imagine our lives and become aware of what brings hope and energy to this second half of life. What am I passionate about now, and what is true for my authentic self? God is still creating me! Commuters welcome. Donation: $100, meals and workbook included.

IN-PERSON ONLY

10-HOUR SILENT RETREAT

     Saturday, January 23       8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

     Liturgy 4:00 PM

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner 

Donation: $60 

IN-PERSON OR ZOOM

THE IMITATION OF CHRIST

Tuesday, February 9         9:30 AM – 12:00

Let’s enjoy together the wisdom of this timeless classic translated for us in today’s terms. Listen as Jesus speaks right to you as a friend with loving advice. Time will also be given to contemplative prayer. Donation: $20

IN-PERSON ONLY

PERSONAL RETREAT DAY

      Wednesday, February 10      9:30 AM – 2:30 PM

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

IN-PERSON ONLY

VALENTINE’S CELEBRATION FOR COUPLES 

     Sunday, February 14        2:00 – 4:00 PM

     Liturgy 2:00 PM

This year our Valentine Celebration takes a different shape. We begin with Mass at 2 PM which will include the renewal of marriage vows. We follow with delicious and creative refreshments, not a sit-down meal as usual because of the virus. We will limit the number according to Covid regulations in February. Donation: Love Offering.

IN-PERSON OR ZOOM

ASH WEDNESDAY RETREAT

     Wednesday, February 17      9:30 AM – 1:30 PM

     Noon Liturgy

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 Lent in Plain Sight by Jill Duffield to guide your Lenten prayer.  Liturgy is included with the reception of ashes within it.  Donation: $35, includes lunch and book for your 6-week Lenten journey; Zoom $20.

IN-PERSON OR ZOOM

LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF

     Thursday, February 18      9:30 AM – 2:30 PM

Coming to know yourself and your own personality can help you know and love others in theirs. Self-acceptance and acceptance of others is at the heart of the Gospel. During this Lenten retreat, we will ask God for the grace to understand and appreciate not only ourselves but those who are very different from us by personality so that we can live and work together in peaceful harmony. Donation: $35 with lunch and materials; Zoom $30.

IN-PERSON OR ZOOM
THE CALL OF MATTHEW 

     Friday, February 19      9:30 AM – Noon

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.” A wonderful Lenten retreat! Materials provided. Donation: $20. 

IN-PERSON OR ZOOM
THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS

     Friday, February 19      1:00 – 4:00 PM

C.S. Lewis gifts us with a very cleverly written treatment of discernment of spirits. His insightfulness and wit are remarkable. Come and enjoy this classic! Donation: $35, includes book; Zoom $20. 

IN-PERSON OR ZOOM

A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS

ST. MARY MAGDALENE SHOWS US HOW!

     Monday, March 1      1:00 – 4:00 PM

Through prayer and reflection on stories of Jesus and St. Mary Magdalene, we will learn a little more about who she was and how her relationship with Jesus can inspire us to live each moment full of attentiveness to Jesus’ call to love. A perfect Lenten retreat! Donation: $25 with materials; Zoom $20.

IN-PERSON OR ZOOM

ISOLATION TO SOLITUDE, ALIENATION TO COMMUNION

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

How are they the same? How are they different? Isolation haunts us. Alienation hurts us. God’s grace transforms them both. Solitude is not loneliness, but union. Communion makes us one with God, ourselves and others. What a wonderful Lenten morning this will be as God moves us by his grace from one to the other. Donation: $25 with lunch, Zoom $20.

IN-PERSON OR ZOOM

DELVE INTO THE DEPTHS OF GOD’S MERCY 

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

We cannot fathom the infinite mercy of God. Mercy is God’s greatest gift. It is ours to depend on and receive, particularly in this Lenten Season. Jesus tells stories about God’s mercy, dies giving mercy, and promises mercy to each of us. Come and drink deeply of God’s infinite mercy on you! Donation: $25 with lunch and materials; Zoom $20.

IN-PERSON OR ZOOM

LENTEN SERIES
A WRITING RETREAT

     4 Tuesdays 1:00 – 2:30 PM          March 9, 16, 23, and 30

How is my life a revelation of God? Enjoy this 4-part Lenten series which will incorporate prayer, individual time with writing prompts and group time to share and motivate each other in how to express with the written word what lies within each person’s sacred story. Please order your own copy of Writing the Sacred Journey by Elizabeth Jarrett Andrew. Led by: Jill Snyder. Donation: $60.

ZOOM ONLY

LENTEN SERIES 

LET’S LISTEN TO POPE FRANCIS

     4 Tuesdays 7:00 – 8:00 PM          March 9, 16, 23, and 30

Are you looking for some good Lenten Reading? Let’s read the Pope’s new encyclical, Fratelli Tutti, On Fraternity and Social Friendship. We will take the challenge and read it together, about 40 pages a week. We can do it! Anybody in? Please order your own copy.  Led by Sister Marcy.
Lenten Offering for Francis House: $50. Thank you!  

IN-PERSON ONLY

PERSONAL RETREAT DAY      

     Wednesday, March 10       9:30 AM – 2:00 PM      

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

IN-PERSON OR ZOOM

FORMING A MATURE CONSCIENCE

HAS YOUR CONSCIENCE BEEN UPDATED LATELY?

     Monday, March 15

     9:30 – 11:30 AM  or  6:30 – 8:30 PM

A mature conscience is one that is grounded in moral law, Sacred Scripture, and Church Teaching. How about an update during this Lenten Season? Donation: $20.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be available for anyone who wishes from 11:30 – 12:30. 

IN-PERSON ONLY

ST. JOSEPH’S DAY MASS & CELEBRATION

     Friday, March 19      9:00 – 11:00 AM

     Liturgy 9:00 AM

We begin with Mass, including renewal of Vows and Promises for the Sisters of St. Joseph and Associates. All are welcome! Refreshments follow!

IN-PERSON OR ZOOM

GOD’S OUTPOURING LOVE

THE WORD BECOMES FLESH AND MAKES HIS DWELLING WITH US

     Thursday, March 25      9:30 AM – 1:30 PM

We interrupt Lent with the Feast of the Incarnation. God becomes human, the Infinite tastes finitude, God empties and extends a self-gift beyond our comprehension. Come and be amazed again as we taste the magnificence of the Mystery of God’s outpouring into our lives and your outpouring into the lives of others. Donation: $25, includes lunch and materials; Zoom $20.

IN-PERSON ONLY

STATIONS OF THE CROSS

SIMON AND VERONICA

     Friday, March 26 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM

This morning retreat will be dedicated to the Stations of the Cross, particularly Stations V and VI by using a very moving painting that expresses simultaneously the strength of Simon and the tenderness of Veronica. When am I Simon? When am I Veronica?  Lunch included.  Donation: Love Offering.

IN-PERSON OR ZOOM

A DAY WITH OUR CRUCIFIED LORD

THE 7 LAST WORDS

     Friday, March 26 1:00– 4:00 PM

Join us for this special Lenten retreat on the Seven Last Words of Christ. We will use Scripture meditations, art and music to allow ourselves to love Christ by accompanying Him in His Passion.  Donation: Love Offering

IN-PERSON ONLY

2 – PART PALM SUNDAY RETREAT
PAVING THE WAY TO HOLY WEEK

     Sunday, March 28         9:30 AM – 12:30 PM

     Liturgy 11:30 AM

Enter into Holy Week this year with a retreat at Francis House to help you participate more fully in the great Redemptive Mysteries of this Sacred Week. Take a few hours with God for peace of mind and soul. Walk our outdoor Stations of the Cross if you wish before Liturgy. A Beautiful Palm Sunday morning as this Holy Week begins. Donation: Love Offering. (Stay for the movie below if you can. Bring your lunch.) 

   
IN-PERSON OR ZOOM

SUNDAY AFTERNOON AT THE MOVIES

FROM COWARDICE TO COURAGE IN THE LIFE OF OSCAR ROMERO

     Sunday, March 28       1:30 – 3:30 PM

What a story to hear and film to view as Holy Week begins! How am I being invited to move from cowardice to courage in my life? Jesus did that. So did Oscar Romero.  Donation: Love Offering.

 IN-PERSON OR ZOOM
IT’S ABOUT “TIME”

     Tuesday, April 13      9:30 AM – 1:00 PM

Time is a gift from God, every second of it. Let’s examine our use of it. Can it be our friend, enjoying every bit of it? Does it hang heavy, fly by or drag along? How can we befriend it, savor it and glorify God in the way we use it.? Some people procrastinate, others ruin their relationship with time by anxiously rushing. Does your relationship with “time” need a little attention? Take some “time” with it. Donation: $25, with lunch and materials; Zoom $20.

IN-PERSON OR ZOOM

WHY DID THE CHICKEN CROSS THE ROAD?

     Monday, April 19      9:30 AM – 1:00 PM 

Because it knew it couldn’t stay where it was. Not the answer you expected? The chicken had to cross the road and so can we! The universe is evolving and we are a part of it. Let’s spend the day together exploring how the undercurrent of love pulsating through the universe is Christ calling us and moving us into deeper union. Writings from Richard Rohr, Ilia Delio and Teilhard will be used as resources for reflection and discussion. Donation: $25, lunch and materials; Zoom $20.

IN-PERSON ONLY

PERSONAL RETREAT DAYS

     Wednesdays 9:30 AM – 2:30 PM

     April 21      May 5 

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

IN-PERSON ONLY

CONTEMPLATING GOD IN NATURE
CELEBRATING EARTH DAY 

     Thursday, April 22      9:30 AM – 1:00 PM

Open your eyes, ears and hearts to God’s glory in nature. We will reflect on Thomas Merton’s nature writings collected in When the Trees Say Nothing and let his words inspire us to be more attentive to the love of God vibrating through nature everywhere. Then we will spend some time outdoors at Francis House enjoying what God has created and reflecting on God as a loving Creator. All is a gift of God that helps each one of us to know, love and serve God with joy and gratitude. Donation: $25, with lunch.

IN-PERSON OR ZOOM

THE FIVE THINGS WE CANNOT CHANGE
THE PEACE IN EMBRACING THEM

     Friday, April 23      9:30 AM – 1:30 PM

There are certain facts in life we cannot change, the un-avoidable “givens” of human existence. We will look at some of these: Everything changes and ends, things do not always go according to plan, pain is a part of life, people are not loving and loyal all the time, to name a few. Seeing these as our part in the Life of Jesus, helps us drop our deep-seated resistance to these “givens.”  We become truly free to discover the deep richness that union with Christ offers. Donation: $25, includes lunch and materials; Zoom $20.

IN-PERSON OR ZOOM

INTRODUCTION TO THE ENNEAGRAM

     Saturday, May 1      9:30 AM – 3:30 PM

The Enneagram is a study of spiritual patterns that affords profound insight into the workings of human consciousness. Based on 9 personality types, the Enneagram allows us to identify the central motivation of our actions. This recognition leads to awareness, acceptance and compassion for ourselves and others. Donation: $50 with materials. Please bring your lunch. 

IN-PERSON OR ZOOM
RESPONDING TO THE UNEXPECTED

     Tuesday, May 4      9:30 AM – 1:00 PM

Let the graced characters from the Scriptures teach us how to recognize and respond to God’s surprising invitations. Presenter: S. Kathy Burton, SSJ. Donation: $25, includes lunch. Zoom $20.

IN-PERSON OR ZOOM
THE WELCOMING PRAYER

     Tuesday, May 11 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM

The Welcoming Prayer invites us to welcome each moment of our life, especially the more difficult ones, because God is present within it. We are to give over our over-identification with belonging and security, affection and esteem, and power and control in order to let God transform the false self into the true self that God desires. This is quite a stretch. God’s grace accomplishes it all. It is God’s desire and God’s work to set us free! Donation: $25, with lunch and materials; Zoom $20.

IN-PERSON OR ZOOM

PRACTICING THE PRESENCE OF GOD
THE MYSTICISM OF POTS AND PANS

     Tuesday, May 18 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM

This morning retreat will help us recognize God’s Presence and action within and around us as we go about our ordinary tasks. Living in an awareness of God’s presence is a cure for the loneliness and distractedness of our times and helps us to  “Pray always.” You will receive Brother Lawrence’s classic, The Practice of the Presence of God for good summer reading.  Donation: $35, with lunch and book; Zoom $20.

ZOOM ONLY

THOUGHTS MATTER

     Thursday, May 20  7:00 – 8:00 PM 

“My thoughts make all the difference in my world.” Believe it or not, we have the ability to choose our thoughts. This freedom is essential to our spiritual well-being and emotional health. This evening retreat will help us learn to notice our thoughts as they arise and choose to accept them or replace them. With prayer and practice, we can choose our thoughts receive a mind at peace, stilled and available for conscious thinking at will. Donation: $10, includes materials.

ANNUAL CLEANING PARTY

     Friday, May 21 9 AM to Noon  or 1:00 – 4:00 PM

Please come and help us clean Francis House. Bring your favorite cleaning supplies. Please choose a 3-hour shift that is convenient for you and call 609-877-0509 with your choice. Actually, it’s fun! Thanks so much. Breakfast & Lunch provided. 

IN-PERSON ONLY

PERSONAL RETREAT DAY

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

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

IN-PERSON OR ZOOM

I AM VULNERABLE….and I LIKE IT!

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

The key to being in relationship is vulnerability. This includes your relationship with God. Learn ways to be vulnerable and open with God that lead to a more loving relationship filled with deeper trust. We will keep our eyes fixed on Jesus as He shows us the way. Donation: $25, with lunch; Zoom $20.

IN-PERSON ONLY

PRAYER IN MOTION

     Wednesday, June 9     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 with lunch.

IN-PERSON OR ZOOM

WHERE IS GOD?

PRAYING OUR EXPERIENCES

     Thursday, June 10      9:30 AM – 1:00 PM

Sometimes God talks to us in Scripture and other times God talks to us in our everyday life events. If you’re wondering where God has been in your life lately, please come. God is closer than you think! Donation: $35 with lunch and book; Zoom $20.

IN-PERSON OR ZOOM

THE SAYINGS OF ST. FRANCIS DE SALES

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

We will reflect on the sayings of St. Francis de Sales and enter into the beauty and simplicity of the Salesian tradition. One of the warmest and most sympathetic strands in the tapestry of Christian spirituality, the Salesian tradition is a treasure many Christians have yet to discover. In our time together, we hope to experience not only its richness, but also its application in our daily lives. Donation: $25 with lunch; Zoom $20.