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.

[Online registration form]

Series

Women's Wisdom Circle
Participants will focus on women’s ways of relating to God, self, and others on the spiritual journey and the vital need for promoting the integration of feminine spirituality with the predominant masculine spirituality practiced within our various faith communities. Each month we’ll explore a specific aspect of feminine spirituality through a brief presentation, shared reflections of our insights, personal experiences, and group prayer.

Presenter: Nancy Erts, OP
Tuesdays: September 11, Feminine Images of God; October 9, Relationship with Mary; November 6, Women Mystics; December 4, Relationship with Jesus; February 5, Love from a Woman's Perspective; March 4, Women's History Month -Praise the Spirit of Faithful Women; April 8, Women's Deep Connection with the Earth; May 6, Prophetesses of Yesterday and Today.

Choose afternoon or evening sessions:  1:00 - 3:00 pm or 6:30 - 8:30 pm.
Fee:  $15.00 per session; dinner at 6:00 pm additional $12

[Online registration form]

Group Spiritual Direction: Friendship for Discernment
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. Come join with others who seek a greater awareness of God in all of life. You are welcome to attend the opening session to help you discern if God is calling you to this type of spiritual friendship right now in your life before committing to these sessions and sharing your journey with others.

Leader: Gaynell Cronin
Tuesdays: September 11, 7:00 - 9:00 pm: opening session, special introduction and information
Tuesdays: October 16, November 13, December 11, January 14, February 12, March 11, April 15, May 13
Choose a time: 10 am – 12 noon, 4 – 6 pm, or 7 – 9 pm
Fee:  $120.00 for the series

[Online registration form]

Yoga for Relaxation, Rejuvenation and Balance: A 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
Thursdays, 6:45 - 8:00 pm, three 6-week series: Series A, January 3 - Feburary 7; Series B, February 14-March 27 (no class March 20); Series C, April 3-May 8
Fee:  $55.00 for the series or $12.00 per individual session

[Online registration form]

LENT: Taize Prayer
Come join us in an Ecumenical Evening Prayer service modeled upon those designed by the Interdenominational Christian community of Taize, France. These sacred candlelight services include beautiful seasonal chants and songs, reading of a psalm and Gospel passage followed by a generous time of silence for personal reflection, prayer of intercession for global needs and closing prayer around the cross. A member of Briarcliff-Ossining Ministerial Association or Mariandale Retreat Center staff will serve as presider each week.

Wednesdays, 7:00 - 8:00 pm; February 6 (Distribution of Ashes), 13, 20; March 5, 12, 19
Fee:  Free will offering