Contemplative Prayer

Thursdays, 11:30 - 12:00 noon, in the main chapel.

Weekend Liturgies

Come celebrate weekend Liturgy with us in the main chapel of Mariandale Retreat and Conference Center on Saturdays at 4:00 pm.
September through May. Please call in advance.

Opportunities for Celebrating Divine Action within the Cycles and Seasons of our “Nature-al” Lives
Take a two-hour ‘time-out’ to honor, through group prayer, creative activity and social interaction, the first budding spring, bright sun of summer, harvest of autumn, holy darkness of winter, and to participate in monthly moonlight Labyrinth Walks. Call to inquire about specific dates, time and details.

SERIES

2010

Surveying Your Sacred Story
”The Holy One is with us in all of life. Our purpose for opening the door inward is to help us know and claim who we are so we can more completely join with God in expressing love in every part of our external world.” Joyce Rupp, OSM
Join with others in reading reflecting on, revealing and ritualizing your insights from Open the Door: A Journey to the True Self by Joyce Rupp, OSM. Participants will be led, step by step, to the “holy site” within to discover the treasures that enrich their unique yet united stories. We will take one or two “steps” each month. The book is available for purchase for $18,

Presenter: Nancy Erts, OP Learn more . . .

Four Tuesdays: February 2, March 2, April 6, May 4
Choose 1–3 pm or 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Fee:  $100.00

[Online registration form]

The Gift of Years: Book Discussion Group
Do you look on aging as more of a burden than a blessing? Vital living embraces both – with emphasis on blessing! Come join us to reflect together on themes from the latest book by Joan Chittester, OSB. Through honest discussion, we’ll hope to uncover life’s truest meaning and deepen our cherished life in God, learning more together about growing older gracefully. For those 60 and over.

Yoga for Relaxation, Rejuvenation and Balance: Six-week Series
Rejuvenate your body and mind through yoga and alignment. Included: - Postures to tone, stretch and strengthen the body and release tension - Safe alignment techniques to ease and optimize the effects of the poses - Meditation and breathing techniques to influence the chemical balance of the brain and reduce anxiety.
Wear comfortable clothing; bring 1 or 2 blankets, a pillow and a mat. Eat lightly, at least one hour before class.

Instructor: Chris Glover Learn more . . .

Thursdays, 6:45 - 8:00 pm, Three six-week series: Series A, September 16 - October 21; Series B, October 28 - December 9; Series C, January 6 - Feburayr 10, 2011
Fee:  $65.00 for the series or $16.00 per individual session

[Online registration form]

Group Spiritual Direction: Holy Listening
Do you sense the need to pray and share with others about your spiritual life on a regular basis? The heart of group spiritual direction is prayerful small-group sharing (up to five). Assisted by a facilitator, participants gather on a regular basis to focus on discerning and articulating God’s presence in daily life. When asked by a friend how she prayed for her, the mystic Julian of Norwich responded, “I look at God, I look at you, and I keep on looking at God.” Put simply, the group’s challenge is to keep on looking at God for each person in the group.
Join with others who seek a greater awareness of God in all of life. Attend the opening session to help you discern if God is calling you to this type of spiritual friendship right now in your life.

Leader: Gaynell Cronin Learn more . . .

Fee:  $150.00 for the series of 8

[Online registration form]