Benedictine Retreat & Conference Center
Spiritual Disciplines & Practices

Each month we offer a variety of workshops, seminars, and retreats on topics that nourish one's heart, soul, and mind. For your convenience, you are able to register on line with our secure website.

All Benedictine Center Offerings through October, 2005:
> Centering Prayer
> Workshops
> Spirituality and the Arts
> Ministerial Renewal

Centering Prayer 
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Intensive Centering Prayer Retreat
July 29, 6:30 p.m. – August 7, 10:30 a.m.
Cost: $450 for 10 days / $260 for 5 days

This in-depth retreat can be scheduled for five or ten days for those with a year's practice. Participants immerse themselves into more profound levels of spiritual practice as taught by Contemplative Outreach. The Spiritual Journey videos, silence and solitude will weave each day together.

Virginia Matter, OSB, and Centering Prayer Staff.

Paths of Peace: Discovering Sabbath

Sept. 10, 9:00 a.m. – Noon

Cost: $30

This event focuses on the need for Sabbath in one’s life—the deep, intentional commitment to be still and attentive to the miracle of God-given life. This morning will explore Sabbath
living using an ancient practice for spiritual seekers. Labyrinth walking can provide a sense of calm that is conducive to meditation, self-exploration and prayer. Gain insight into this
practice and deepen your appreciation for the gift of Sabbath.

Lisa Gidlow Moriarty

Taizé Prayer

Sept. 16, 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. (3rd Friday of each month)

Cost: No charge

Taizé prayer is meditative prayer done in a communal setting using simple chants and periods of silence. It creates an environment for encountering the mystery of God.

Monastic Community

Introduction To Centering Prayer

Sept. 24, 8:45 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.

Cost: $50

Centering Prayer is an ancient form of contemplative prayer that helps persons cultivate their openness to God’s presence within them. Will be offered again March 11, 2006.

Virginia Matter OSB

Men’s Contemplative Spirituality Group

Sept. 26 , 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. (Meets monthly)

Cost: Free Will Offering

This is a monthly on-going support group for men seeking to integrate contemplative spirituality into their active lives. No experience with contemplative prayer is necessary, just an openness to its possibilities. Drop-ins are welcome.

David Sagula

Praying the Earth Charter

Oct. 7, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Cost: $45

Working with the Earth Charter (www.earthcharter.org), a declaration of fundamental principles for building a just, sustainable, and peaceful world, this day of prayer involves input, centering prayer, quiet reflection, and journaling and sharing.

Mary Ann Carolin

Taizé Prayer

Oct. 21, 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. (3rd Friday of each month)

Cost: No charge

Taizé prayer is meditative prayer done in a communal setting using simple chants and periods of silence. It creates an environment for encountering the mystery of God.

Monastic Community

Men’s Contemplative Spirituality Group

Oct. 24, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. (Meets monthly)

Cost: Free Will Offering

This is a monthly on-going support group for men seeking to integrate contemplative spirituality into their active lives. No experience with contemplative prayer is necessary, just an openness to its possibilities. Drop-ins are welcome.

David Sagula

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Workshops 
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Staying Sane When Life Gets Crazy

Sept. 8, 6:30 – 9:00 p.m.
Cost: $25

Staying calm during chaotic times is a stressful challenge. Simply “ trying harder ” may not help at all. This class is for anyone seeking peace and balance. Topics include: “ trying easier,” living in the present, honoring the body’s rhythms, listening to the inner teacher, and staying connected in an active life.

Mary White OSB

Letting Go of Shame

Oct. 3, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Cost: $25

One of the gifts of the Incarnation is that we are called out of shame and into a sense of our dignity before God—a dignity no one can take from us. This class examines how we can open ourselves and each other to the reality of our innate beauty.

Mary White OSB

Bio-Spiritual Focusing I

Oct. 14, 6:30 p.m. – Oct. 16, 4:00 p.m.

Cost: $275—includes lodging and meals

Bio-spiritual focusing is a particular approach to the process of listening compassionately to the search for wisdom in oneself and with others. This is an ideal workshop for spiritual directors, parents, counselors, and spiritual seekers at any stage in their lives.

Virginia Matter OSB and Joanne Dehmer SSND

Tearing Down the Wall: Spirituality & Racism

Oct. 15, 9:00 a.m. – Noon

Cost: $25

While Scripture exhorts us to live as one, racism alienates us from one another. In this retreat, participants learn how their spiritual lives strengthen them for the work of tearing down the walls of systemic racism.

Nancy Anderson

Holiness and Imperfection

Oct. 17, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Cost: $25

Perfection can neither allows nor tolerates vulnerability. Striving to be perfect is one of the main causes of anxiety. In this session participants explore holiness as a quality of being awake to gifts and faults while cooperating with God’s grace.

Mary White OSB

Spirituality and the Cinema

Oct. 19, 6:45 – 9:30 p.m.

Cost: $10

Through films like The Emperor’s Club, The Education of Little Tree, Harold and Maude, Hearts in Atlantis, and Chocolat, this class explores aspects of spirituality in the lives of characters and the stories they each carry. Meets regularly third Wednesday of each month.

Carole Sweely OSB

Spirituality and the Arts 
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Creativity With Clay: A Spiritual Practice

Sept. 12, 19, 26 & Oct. 3, 10, 17 (Mondays, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.,)

Cost: $150 (includes all materials)

God used clay to create; Christ used clay to heal the blind.  This essential element of the earth carries deep biblical meaning and is still a way to grow spiritually today. Under the skillful and gentle leadership of a spiritual teacher and artist, participants form several small
pots using simple tools and techniques that later will be polished and fired.  No previous experience with clay is required.

Virginia Matter OSB

Retreats 
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Living Faithfully In Public

Sept. 16, 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. (3rd Friday of each month)

Cost: $15

These evening retreats invite participants to gather for a simple supper and a facilitated conversation (5:00-6:30) on how the Christian virtues point to a new way of living in today’s world.  The evening concludes with Taizé prayer (7:00-8:00 p.m.) which is a meditative communal prayer using simple chants and periods of silence. It creates an environment for placing oneself in the presence of God and is a refreshing way to end one’s
workweek.

Staff

Journey Toward Simplicity

Sept. 17, 9:00 a.m. – Noon

Cost: $30

Although ancient traditions tell us that simplicity is key to the spiritual journey, how do we manifest it outwardly in our lifestyles? The response involves the challenge to live
counter-culturally. The retreat invites people to consider ways they might choose to do this.

Nancy Anderson

Listening

Sept. 28, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Cost: $45

The first exhortation in the Rule of St Benedict is, “ Listen, my sons and daughters, to the voice of God and attend to what you hear with the ear of your heart.” It is an invitation to fullness of life by being attentive. What gets in the way of our hearing? How might we make a space within ourselves so the Holy One might dwell in our hearts?

Carol Rennie OSB

Firmly Established in Jesus Christ: Authority for Ministry

Oct. 20, 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Cost: $15

A ministry formation offering of iLLUMINARE, part of the monastery’s commitment to on-going ministerial renewal.

Jackie Witter

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Living Faithfully In Public

Oct. 21, 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. (Every 3rd Friday each month)

Cost: $15

(See description for Sept.16. New conversation topic each month.)

Staff

Journey to the Heart

Oct, 22, 9:00 a.m. – Noon

Cost: $30

One of the costs of busyness is neglecting to pay attention to where all the activity is leading—or should be leading. This morning retreat invites you to reflect on where God is leading you and to listen in new ways to what your heart is telling you.

Fr. Robert Hart

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Ministerial Renewal 
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Grace Upon Grace: The Gift of Discipleship
August 17, 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Cost: $15

These day-long gatherings include prayer, theological reflection, dialogue, and input with time for individual reflection. Supported a grant from the Lilly Endowment.

Jacquelyne Witter Ed.D. is director of Illuminare, a lay ecclesial ministry formation process sponsored by the Monastery.

Looking Ahead

WORKSHOPS

Nov. 4 Holistic Spirituality and Spiritual Direction, Maureen Conroy
Nov. 5 First Degree Reiki Training, Maureen Conroy
Nov. 5-6 Second Degree Reiki Training, Maureen Conroy
Nov. 16 Thriving From the Inside Out: Simple Practices For Busy People, Mary White OSB
Nov. 16 Spirituality and the Cinema, Carole Sweely OSB
Dec. 8 Mary the Model of Discipleship, Carol Rennie OSB
Dec. 21 Spirituality and the Cinema, Carole Sweely OSB

RETREATS

Nov. 8 Nurturing the Peace of Christ: A Retreat For Grandmothers, Paula Hagen OSB
Nov. 9 Blessings of Motherhood, Paula Hagen OSB
Nov. 18 Living Faithfully In Public, Staff
Nov. 18-19 See Through the Scriptures, Sam Rahberg
Nov. 19 Joining the Banquet, Nancy Anderson
Dec. 3 Advent Retreat, Mary White OSB
Dec. 10 Meeting Christ Within, Carol Rennie OSB
Dec. 16 Living Faithfully In Public, Staff
Dec. 31 Crossing the Threshold, Carol Rennie OSB

PRAYER

Nov. 10 Soul-Words: Praying With Poetry, Jackie Witter
Nov. 18 Taizé Prayer, Monastic Community
Nov. 28 Men’s Contemplative Spirituality Group, David Sagula
Dec. 16 Taizé Prayer, Monastic Community
Dec. 26 Men’s Contemplative Spirituality Group, David Sagula

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