Presenter:  Kevin Barr

Tuesday, March 14, 2012

7-9 P.M.

Cost:  $15

Limited to 20 participants.

What is the Gospel we tell in the story of our lives?  What are the questions we discover in our movement from disconnection to deeper connection with Jesus?  This is an opportunity to find ourselves in some of the flawed and graced men who encounter Jesus in the Gospels and are transformed.  Even more, it is an opportunity to encounter Jesus in ourselves.

This presentation will include a provocative and insightful 25-minute video depicting the ebb and flow of an authentic, vulnerable spiritual journey.  The video will be augmented by a brief teaching/introduction and followed by discussion regarding the ways that we can look at our own spiritual journeys with “new eyes” and an open heart.  Register by phone (215.934.6206) or email (cranaleith@comcast.net).

About the Presenter: Kevin Barr has worked for Catholic Social Services for more than ten years.  He is currently the Director of Saint John’s Hospice, a homeless center for men in Center City Philadelphia.  He has led many spirituality workshops throughout the local area (Cranaleith, Malvern Retreat House, Neumann University’s Franciscan Spiritual Center, Catholic Life Congress and Immaculata’s Spirituality under the Dome).

Biblical Women of Courage
Saturday, March 3, 2012 10 AM – 3 PM
Presenter: Sr. Marie Michele Donnelly, RSM
Cost: $35 (includes lunch)
Register by email (cranaleith@comcast.net) or phone (215-934-6206).

The Jewish and Christian Scriptures hold countless stories of women whose prophetic words and actions brought healing and hope to their communities, women like Ruth, Esther, the Syro-Phoenician Woman and the Woman at the Well. As we continue our Lenten journey of conversion, we will ask these wise and faithful women to deepen our own response to the suffering of our day in the tender mercy of God.

About the presenter: Sister Marie Michele Donnelly, RSM, co-director of Mercy Spiritual Ministries, holds a master’s degree in Theology from Villanova University. An adjunct professor in Religious Studies at Gwynedd-Mercy College, she also teaches in the Church Ministry Institute for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Sister Marie Michele is a frequent presenter for parents, school faculties and parish groups throughout the Greater Philadelphia region and gives retreats to groups of adults, both lay and religious, throughout the United States. She also is a frequent keynote speaker for educational and health care organization meetings around the country.

Valentine's Retreat Eucharist

DEAR SISTER,

MY HUSBAND JOHN AND I ATTENTED THE COUPLES VALENTINE RETREAT ON SATURDAY AND WE ARE STILL ON A SPIRITUAL AND EMOTIONAL HIGH. WHAT A FANTASTIC EXPERIENCE.

THE RETREAT HOUSE IS SO BEAUTIFUL AND EVERYONE WE ENCOUNTERED WAS SO WELCOMING. DEACON JIM AND HIS WIFE WERE AWESOME. THE DINNER WAS DELICIOUS AND THE TABLES WERE SET BEAUTIFULLY.

THEN HAVING A LITTLE PROJECT TO PERFORM WAS THOUGHT-PROVOKING AND FUN, THEN MASS AND RENEWING OUR VOWS AND HAVING OUR WEDDING RINGS BLESSED WAS TRULY SPECIAL.

THE PEOPLE THAT ATTENDED THE RETREAT WERE OPEN AND WARM. WE CAN’T WAIT FOR THE NEXT VALENTINE RETREAT.

BEFORE LEAVING ON SATURDAY MY HUSBAND PICKED UP A CALENDAR OF UPCOMING RETREATS. HE COMMENTED TO ME YESTERDAY THAT I SHOULD PICK OUT ANOTHER RETREAT THAT WE CAN ATTEND. WE BOTH LOVED IT SO MUCH.

THANK YOU FOR MAKING THAT WONDERFUL EVENING AVAILABLE TO US.

SINCERELY,
DONNA AND JOHN D’AMICO

Deacon Jim Knipper Blesses Rings of Mike and Phyllis Van Thuyne

The Master Seminar series is designed to provide advanced professional development for (1) those who lead or facilitate faith-based organizations, such as communities of vowed religious women or men, religiously sponsored hospitals or educational ministries, local congregations and social service ministries, and (2) those who lead, facilitate or staff other non-profit organizations.  The Seminar is open to participants from all faith traditions and assumes an existing base of skills and experience.  The seminar format emphasizes collegial
exploration of advanced topics through discussion, reflection and case consultation.

Presenter:  Marisa Guerin, Ph.D.

Seminar #1:  ”Exploring the Psychodynamics of Systems”

• The power of roles, boundaries and authority in system psychodynamics
• The complexities of decisions, conflict resolution and shared commitments
• The spirituality of facilitation and negative capability
• Structures and processes of containment for anxiety-producing work

February 21-23, 2012:  For Facilitators and Leaders of Faith-Based Organizations (for a detailed overview, please click here)

February 28-March 1, 2012:  For Facilitators, Staff and Leaders of Non-Profit Organizations, including those in education, health care and social service (for a seminar overview, please click here)

After several weather-related delays, the footings for the new Education & Conference Center were poured yesterday!