Spirituality Programs

Taizé Prayer

Gathered together as the body of Christ, we sing simple songs that ground us in the presence of Christ. We experience times of silence that enable us to hear the voice of Christ, listen to scripture readings that nurture our life in Christ and offer prayers of intercession and praise that allow us an expression of Christ’s love for the world and our gratitude for all that we have received.

Dates and Times: The second Monday of the month (May 14, June 11, July 9, August 13, September 10, October 8, November 12 and December 10) at 7:00pm
Music and Prayer Leaders: Karen Kuenzig and Ginny Schaeffer
Cost: Free will offering

Sabbath Moments

This is a monthly opportunity to rest, remember, and re-connect, the original purposes of Sabbath. A variety of facilitators will offer refreshing experiences for your spirit to help you remember what is vital and to re-connect with God, self, others and the world.
Dates and Times: Second Saturdays of the month from 10am-12pm.

Themes and Facilitators:

• May 12 - Praying with Mandalas facilitated by Sister Helen O'Brien, OSU
• June 9 - Feather on the Breath of God facilitated by Sister Rita Ann Wigginton
• No Sabbath Moments in July and August.  We will resume on September 8
• September 8 - The Spirituality of Mary facilitated by Sister Barbara Bir, OSU
• October 13 - Nature as an Expression of God - facilitated by Ginny Schaeffer
• November 10 - Praying From the Depths of Your Being - facilitated by Sister Margaret Ann Hagan, OSU
• December 8 - Advent & Mary - facilitated by Sister Martha Buser, OSU

Cost: $10

Vacation with God:Who Told You That You Weren't a Mystic?

The Christian of the future will be a mystic or he/she will not exist. -Karl Rahner, S.J.

There is nothing mysterious about mysticism and it is vital to a healthy Christian spirituality. It is a mistake to think that only saints can be mystics. There are mystics walking among us in the grocery store, at the mall, in the park and, maybe even, in church. Chances are you are a mystic and don't even know it. Join us as we explore what mysticism is and its place in our lives as Christians

Dates and Time: Tuesdays, June 6, 13 and 27 from 7:00 - 9:00pm

Facilitator: Sister Margaret Ann Hagan, OSU

 Cost: $35

School of Christian Living

Two thousand years ago Jesus taught and lived a life counter to his own world. It was a life rooted in compassion, not cynicism; hope, not apathy; peace, not fear; and mercy, not condemnation. Our world is in just as much need of this way as it was two millennia ago.

The School of Christian Living is a transformational program grounded in the essential elements necessary to live as “followers of the way” – the way of Christ. The intention of this program is to help people who desire to deepen their experience of the reality of Jesus, and the truths he taught. It is holistic, experiential and based on the reality that when a person encounters the mystery of God in their lives they are transformed and become instruments of God’s transformational power to the world in which they live. Those who participate in this spiritual journey will do so in a community of others who seek to live as authentic and mature Christians. Although rooted in the Roman Catholic tradition it is ecumenically inclusive.

The School of Christian Living is a 9-month experience comprised of six core elements that are foundational to living the life of one who follows Jesus:

Contemplation: Finding God in the Ordinary
God is present in every moment of our lives. Our task is to learn how to pay attention and recognize the Divine. During this 6-week session we will seek to understand Jesus’ admonitions to become like little children that have eyes that see and ears that hear.
Dates and Time: Saturday, September 8 from 10:00am-3:00pm and then Tuesdays, September 18, 25, October 2, 9, 16 from 7:00 – 9:00pm

Reading Sacred Scriptures with Our Minds and Hearts
Reading the sacred scriptures of Christianity, requires an open intellect and heart that leads us on an exciting journey of discovery: first, of who God is and, then how we are to be in relationship with God.
Dates and Times: Saturday, November 3, 17, and December 1 from 9am-12pm

Prayer: Cultivating Intimacy with God
An intimate relationship with anyone requires frequent heart-felt communication that sometimes comes in the form of words, sometimes silent presence. The same is true with God. During this session of the SCL we will listen to what Jesus had to say about prayer and explore and experience different ways to pray.
Dates and Times: Tuesdays, January 8, 15, 22, 29 and February 5 and 12 from 7-9pm.

Becoming the Person I am Created to Be: A Retreat for Ongoing Transformation
Jesus’ first message was: “Change the way you think, the way you perceive the world. God’s ultimate reality is right here, right now.” Following the way of Jesus, encountering the Holy in our lives, prayer and sacred reading, changes us indeed…transforming us into the person we were created to be. During this weekend retreat we will seek to understand what is necessary for our ongoing transformation.
Dates and Times: Friday, March 8, at 7:00pm – Sunday, March 10, at noon.
Location: Ursuline Motherhouse, 3115 Lexington Road

See How They Love One Another: Christian Community
“Wherever two or three gather in my name…” Since Jesus gathered a small group around himself, community has been a vital aspect of following the way of Jesus. We were never meant to make this journey alone. Actually, we cannot. Yet, how are we as individuals able to come together in a life-giving, compassionate, honest community that will both affirm and stretch us? That will be the question we seek to answer during this 5-week session.
Dates and Time: Tuesdays, April 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30 from 7:00-9:00pm

To Love As I Have Been Loved: The Call to Compassionate Service
The invitation to follow the way of Jesus, the encounter of the Divine is certainly a personal experience, but it was never meant to be private, locked away in our hearts and spirits. Rather, we are called to love and serve others as we have been loved and served by the Holy. This final retreat is an opportunity to explore how we are being invited to share our God-given talents with a world much in need, yet not become depleted ourselves.
Dates and Times: Friday, May 31, at 7:00pm – Sunday, June 2, at 3:00pm

Facilitators: Ginny Schaeffer
Location: Brescia Hall and the Ursuline Motherhouse
Cost: $480 or $430 if paid in full by September 13, 2011, inclusive of materials and retreats. Books will need to be bought separately. Payment arrangements are available upon request.

Informational Sessions for the School of Christian Living
If you would like to learn more about the SCL there are five informational sessions offered in June, July and August. You will be able to meet the facilitation team, hear from previous participants about their experience in the SCL and ask those questions important to you.

Saturday, June 16 from 10:00am-11:30am

Tuesday, June 12 from 7:00pm-8:30pm

Thursday, July 19 from 1:00pm-2:30pm or 7:00pm-8:30pm

Thursday, August 23 from 10:00am-11:30am or 7:00pm-8:30pm

“You Must Look At It Long” – A Retreat of Silent Awareness

To know anyone or anything – ourselves, others, the cosmos, God – we must be willing to “look at it long”.  Through rest, silence, communal and private prayer and meeting with a spiritual director you will be offered just such an opportunity during this retreat of silent awareness.

Dates and Times:  Friday, August 17, at 7:00pm to Sunday, August 19, at 3:00pm

Spiritual Directors:  Sister Barbara Bir, OSU, Sister Martha Buser, OSU, Sister Margaret Ann Hagan, OSU, Sister Helen O’Brien, OSU and Ginny Schaeffer

Location: Ursuline Sisters Motherhouse, 3115 Lexington Road

Cost: $175, which includes a non-refundable $25 registration fee

Spirituality and the Body

“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit?”

How many times have you heard this question?  Have you ever wondered what this means and how we are to live it out?  During this 6-week program we will learn how to relate to our bodies and honor them as temples of the Holy Spirit through the meditative practice of Tái Chi.  Be sure to wear comfortable clothes and shoes.

Dates and Times:  Thursdays, September 27-November 1 from 7:00pm-8:00pm

Instructor: Paula Duane

Cost:  $60

Faith Use It or Lose It: A Fall Retreat

Like the muscles of our bodies, faith is a gift that we must use and care for or we will lose it.  Muscles need protein, but what do we feed our faith?  Muscles need movement and challenge to grow strong, but what is necessary to strengthen our faith?   A healthy, strong faith gives us hope and compassion to share with our wounded world.  Join us for a weekend of faith-building that will see you through thick and thin.

Dates and Times: Friday, October 19, at 7:00pm to Saturday, October 20, at 4:00pm

Facilitators: Sister Colette Kraemer, OSU, Sister Rosella McCormick, OSU and Ginny Schaeffer

Location: Ursuline Sister’s Motherhouse, 3115 Lexington Road.

Cost: Commuter $40.  Overnight Guest:  $55.

Reading the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts with Our Hearts and Minds

Did you know the Gospel of Luke is the only book in the Christian Scriptures written by a Gentile?  That he wrote a sequel we call “The Acts of the Apostles”.  That his infancy narrative is three times longer than Matthew’s.  As the gospel for the next liturgical year we will prayerfully explore the important themes of Luke both in the gospel and in Acts and how they still impact our lives today using both our minds and hearts.

Dates and Times:  Tuesdays, October 22, 29 and November 5.

Facilitators: Sister Jean Anne Zappa, OSU

Cost: $50

Mary and Advent: A Morning of Reflection

For nine months a young woman from a back-water territory of the Roman Empire nurtured the life of the one we would come to know as Jesus, the Christ.  Mary is a model for Advent, a time of anticipation, waiting and preparation.  Join us for a morning of reflection on Mary and Advent.

Date and Time:  Saturday, December 8, from 10am-12pm

Facilitator: Sister Martha Buser, OSU

Cost: $10