Bountiful Harvest - St. Anthony Spirituality Center
Transcription
Bountiful Harvest - St. Anthony Spirituality Center
FALL 2014 NEWSLETTER The Phones Are Back! For the first three weeks of September the majority of our incoming calls did not reach us. We apologize for not taking your call. The problem has been fixed. Please call back! Fall Clean-Up at St. Anthony’s Can you spare a few hours to spruce up the Center? You’re Invited... St. Anthony Spirituality Center’s Bountiful Harvest C E L E B R AT I O N & SILENT AUCTION FUNDRAISER Sunday, Oct. 26, 2014 | 2:30 to 5 pm Volunteering is the perfect way to feel connected to your community. The simple act of offering your skills and enthusiasm will positively impact the lives of others, as well as your own. Please let us know if you’d like to stay for lunch by emailing [email protected] or calling the Center 715-443-2236. Saturday, October 18 or 25 | 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Raking leaves, Fertilizing garden, Grounds upkeep Bring rake and gloves; Rain Dates: Sundays, Oct. 19th & 26th Celebrate our bountiful harvest in our “new” dining room! MINISTRY UPDATES • REFRESHMENTS SERVED RSVP by Oct. 19th to 715.443.2236 or [email protected] Silent Raffle Items include: • • • • • • • $100 worth of car wash certificates or cards 4 18-hole rounds of golf at Greenwood Hills Buy one 9-hole round, get one half off at Rib Mountain Golf Course Buy one dinner entree, get one half off at Carmello’s restaurant 2 tickets to the Green Bay Packers vs Detroit Lions game at Lambeau Field on Dec. 28th A $150 teeth whitening kit from a local dentist and more! Our “new” dining room is complete and fully operational. We have received many compliments about the slight changes to the layout and the overall appearance of the room. Gratitude and blessings to all who made it possible! rancis ssible.” - St. F o p m i e h t g n i o you ’re d ible, and suddenly s s o p s i t a h w o d n e h t , y r “Start by doing what ’s necessa CONFIRMATION RETREATS AT SASC left to right: Janet Dubec, LuAnn Friday, Tricia Susens INTRODUCING OUR RESIDENT FRANCISCAN COMMUNITY During the summer of 2014, we welcomed three Secular Franciscans to St. Anthony’s to begin our first Resident Franciscan Community under the guidance of Fr. Frank Corradi, OFS. Here’s what they had to say about living here... “ “ “ “SASC is a gift from God. I am on Holy Ground.” Lu Ann Friday, OFS “I feel as if my life has come full circle. I’m simply delighted to be here.” Janet Dubec, OFS “‘Come & See’ being the Franciscan invitation, I have come to St. Anthony Spirituality Center and have seen and experienced with gratitude the wonderful Franciscan spirit of welcome and hospitality from the staff, volunteers, director, board and the many guests who come for retreats, conferences and meetings. Walking the grounds in peace and solitude, observing the wildlife, i.e. birds, deer, eagles, rabbits, enjoying the grottos and stations ... all these activities nurture the spirit.” Tricia Susens, OFS The newly formed Confirmation Retreat Team is just getting started this season as they seek to serve the young people of the dioceses of LaCrosse and Superior who have been called to discern the sacrament of Confirmation. This day-long experience will be facilitated by professional staff and ministers in the area who have committed to using their gifts to accompany our young people on this important part on their journey towards sealing their Baptism. The design of the retreat will be tailored for attending parishes and groups -- but will include talks, small groups, prayer, recreation, and community building. Candidates should attend Mass in their home parishes for our 2014-15 season. The expectation and goal is that these retreats increase in opportunities per year as well as in size and in length -- in order to provide the best experience of what our Pope Francis calls encuentro: “a culture of encounter,” which is an authentic experience of encountering the person of Jesus. The St. Anthony Spirituality Center accomplishes this for and with young people through the mission, core values, and lens through which we model the giving and receiving of hospitality, the showing and being shown compassion, and serving and being served with great joy -- which ultimately leads to a more intimate relationship with God, self, and others. We believe this relationship is both named and strengthened by the Gifts of the Holy Spirit in the sacrament of Confirmation -- so please consider the following remaining available dates in our inaugural year of this ministry! Dates: Saturday, Nov. 8, 2014; Saturday, March 7, 2015; Saturday, March 14; Sunday, March 15 (Full). Ministry Associates Portal Online Wish List: More members needed: • Building Maintenance, Communications Other Needs: • Carpet Sweeper for Housekeeping • Monetary donations toward the purchase of 150 soup bowls Volunteers Needed: • More weekend hosts. • Two on-call front office volunteers. • NEW: Friday night greeters to welcome retreatants, carry luggage and show them to their rooms. Only 2-3 hours on Friday, once a month or so. Contact the Front Office to explore all our Ministry Associate opportunities. Ministry Associates are people who have committed to supporting the Center through volunteering, donating on a regular basis or praying for retreatants and successful ministry. At http://sarcenter.com/ministry-associates, this community of friends has a place to find the latest monthly Ministry Associates letter, an updated list of needs, information about donating/pledging, and news from various committees that help keep the Center thriving. Go there today to see what we’re talking about! 2 MISSION STATEMENT, CORE VALUES & VISION OUR MISSION The St. Anthony community welcomes all seeking healing, hope and transformation through deeper connection with God, Self, Others and Creation. We gather to embrace and grow in Franciscan Values. CORE VALUES Hospitality: Creating safe and welcoming environments where the gifts of all are cherished. Compassion: Being present to all people with an open and loving heart. Joyful Service: Respectfully addressing people’s needs, transforming us all. Relationship: Empowering people to realize and respect their own dignity and potential. DREAM FOR THE FUTURE St. Anthony Spirituality Center seeks to empower people of all ages to express their spirituality in the world to effect positive change in an evolving society. We intend to do this by fostering education in faith, reverencing the spirit, the body, and the holy ground we have been given, and by reaching out to people wherever they may be in their life journey. Our fundamentally Franciscan identity creates joyful hospitality and a peaceful environment that will continue to allow our guests to experience the sacred within and around themselves. EXCITING EVENTS PLANNED... MERCY: THE CORE OF FAITH & REASON FOR HOPE April 10-12, 2015 Fr. Dan Crosby is coming back to St. Anthony’s for Divine Mercy Weekend (the one right after Easter) to present “Mercy: The Core of Faith & Reason for Hope.” Sign up in advance for what is sure to be a very holy and very grace-filled weekend! THE ART & HEART OF THE SPIRITUAL LIFE June 21-26, 2015 We are so excited to welcome Fr. Albert Haase, OFM, to St. Anthony’s for our annual Preached Retreat in June. Many of you will recognize Fr. Albert (pronounced Al-bear) from his program on Relevant Radio called Spirit & Life, heard nationally each weekend. Topic Description: The spiritual life is the process of being transformed into the image of Christ for the sake of others. In this retreat, Fr. Albert will discuss this process of transformation and the challenge it presents to break free from the agenda of the false self. Important aspects such as one’s image of God, resisting temptations, living in the present moment, and the challenge of forgiveness will also be discussed. DIRECTED RETREATS 3-Day: July 12-15, 2015 | 6-Day: July 12-17, 2015 Many have been asking when we will schedule our directed retreats next summer. Save the dates listed above! We can’t think of a better way to spend a summer vacation than by rededicating yourself and your ministry back to God, the source of life and goodness. Directors TBD. 3 UPCOMING RETREATS & OFFERINGS Silent Theme Retreats $185 FR. MARTY PABLE SERIES $55 MODELS FOR EVANGELIZING The Gift of Transition is that change allows us the opportunity to re-evaluate our purpose and our path. Everyone experiences times of transition often filled with anxiety and suffering. Our theme retreat will examine these times in order to help you understand them through the eyes of faith. The Scriptures are rich with references to transition as we frame our discussion for the retreat. We will share spiritual practices from the Christian tradition that help deal with these times of transition or upheaval, giving both support and direction. By also incorporating times of contemplation into the retreat, you will be able to reflect privately on the session topics as well tie everything together during common prayer times to ritualize the concepts. The combination of insightful presentations, dynamic common prayer and the gift of silence are designed to create a time for the Holy Spirit to speak to the whole person in each one’s faith journey. We will discover how God is with us through all our transitions and what gifts and consolations He provides to guide us along the path ahead. Remaining Dates*: Oct. 17-19, 2014: Theme Retreat for Men & Women (Sponsored with Wausau & Stevens Point Deaneries) Nov. 14-16, 2014: Theme Retreat for Men & Women Jan. 16-18, 2015: Theme Retreat for Men & Women (Sponsored with WI Rapids Area Churches) Feb. 20-22, 2015: Theme Retreat for Men March 27-29, 2015: Theme Retreat for Women (Palm Sunday) Though your destination is not yet clear You can trust the promise of this opening; Unfurl yourself into the grace of beginning That is at one with your life’s desire. Awaken your spirit to adventure; Hold nothing back, learn to find ease in risk; Soon you will be home in a new rhythm, For your soul senses the world that awaits you. from John O’Donohue’s poem “Poem For A New Beginning” October 11, 2014 Padre Pio: Growing Strong from Our Wounds Besides his wonderful ministry of hearing confessions and healing troubled people, St. Pio suffered greatly himself, both physically and spiritually. In doing so he became a model of patience in times of suffering. We will reflect on how we ourselves can grow spiritually through our own times of suffering and trial. November 15, 2014 Takashi Nagai: Doctor and Survivor of the Atomic Bomb We will share the inspiring story of this Japanese man who became a convert from Buddhism to Catholicism. He went on to marry and practice medicine, becoming well known for both his expertise and his compassion for sick people in Nagasaki. These day events begin with 9:30 am registration and social, followed by presentations from 10 am to 3 pm with the noon meal included. DAY OF PRAYER $55 RHYTHMS OF LIFE Tuesday, October 14, 2014 | 9:30 am - 3:30 pm This day of prayer will discuss the interaction and meaning of this life cycle from the perspective of the Gospel. Includes noon meal and Mass. Presented by Fr. Frank Corradi, OFS. DAY OFFERING $55 DISCOVERING YOUR PURPOSE IN LIFE Wednesday, October 15, 2014 | 9:30 am - 3:30 pm Did you know you are a specially designed faucet created to bring water to a thirsty world who NEED what only you have to offer? Linda Larson Schlitz, local author and life coach, will weave encouragement, tools and hope into an energizing day retreat. Includes noon meal and an art project. *All weekend retreats begin with registration starting at 5:30 pm and the meal at 7 pm on Friday evenings and end at 1 pm on Sunday afternoons unless otherwise stated. 4 The offering for all retreats except day or evening events includes a regular room with a shared bathroom with private stalls down the hall. The cost also includes delicious buffet meals, program fees and tuition. A limited number of suites with private bathrooms are available some weekends for an increased charge on a first-come first-served basis. ADVENT OFFERINGS $55 DAY $35 EVENING DAY OFFERING $55 HOLIDAY MINDFULNESS Keeping Your Mind While Others Are Losing Theirs ADVENT PRAYER OFFERINGS Presented by Fr. Frank Corradi, OFS. Day of Prayer includes the noon meal and Mass. Evening of Prayer includes supper. Day of Prayer Tuesday, December 2, 2014 | 9:30 am - 3 pm The principle scripture readings for the season of Advent are from the Prophet Isaiah. The meaning of the Incarnation is found in the Infancy Narrative in Matthew and Luke. This day will focus on these biblical sources in two input sessions, time for personal prayer and small group interaction. This day is provided as a guide for participants to use in preparing and celebrating the Christmas mystery. Evening of Prayer Tuesday, December 9, 2014 | 5:30 pm - 8 pm Thursday, December 11, 2014 | 8:30 am - 2:30 pm In the past have you bargained with yourself that you will get through the holidays without over eating, overdrinking, over spending, over extending, and generally over-doing? This day offering will give you tools to maintain healthy perspective, manage the stresses of the holidays and keep your sanity! Presented by Tom Roberts. Includes noon meal. A SASC TRADITION $90 NEW YEAR’S RETREAT December 31, 2014 to January 1, 2015 The perfect way to thank God for the year that has passed and dedicate the year to come to His glory! Our New Year’s Retreat is among our most popular. Join new and old friends to ring in 2015 with prayer and joy. Begins with evening meal on New Year’s Eve and ends with a noon brunch on New Year’s Day. AA SERENITY RETREAT $185 Advent calls us to take quiet time and reflect on the Celebration of the Incarnation, which we initially experience on December 25 and continue to celebrate until January 6. This evening of prayer will be a time of quiet reflection based on the Gospel message about the Birth of the Messiah found in Matthew and Luke. After a presentation on the Nativity event found in the Gospel participants will have time for quiet reflection and prayer. There will also be time for small group discussion on the influence the Gospel might have on the preparation and celebration of the Christmas event. STEPS 4-7: LIVING WITH YOURSELF January 2-4, 2015* This confidential retreat is open to all recovering alcoholics and consists of talks, discussions and private consultation opportunities. In relaxed surroundings, it helps discover the joy and serenity of the spiritual substance of the AA program. Future dates: June 5-7, 2015 (Steps 8-12, Living with Others);July 24-26, 2015 (AA & Al-Anon Combo); October 2-4, 2015 (Theme TBD). 5 DIGNITY DAY OFFERING $60 LENTEN EVENING $35 LENTEN EVENING OF PRAYER Tuesday, March 10, 2015 | 5:30 to 8 pm Plan on incorporating an evening of prayer and reflection into your Lenten journey as Fr. Frank Corradi leads us into deeper understanding of the Scriptures of Lent. This evening begins with dinner at 5:30 pm and will conclude by 8 pm. HONORING & UPHOLDING HUMAN DIGNITY ART RETREAT Thursday, January 22, 2015 or Saturday, January 24, 2015 The desire for dignity is universal and powerful. It is a motivating force behind all human interactions – in families and friendships, in communities, in the business world, and in the arenas of national and international politics. In this workshop we will explore: · The 10 elements of dignity · How to recognize dignity violations · Guidelines on how to treat yourself and others with dignity · And more… Presented by Elizabeth Lewis. Day begins with 9 am registration and continental breakfast, includes the noon meal and will end by 4 pm. This event will kick off a series of events centered around the theme of HUMAN DIGNITY. Watch for more details in the Winter Newsletter. EVENING FOR LOVERS $55 COUPLE A DEEPER BOND Sunday, February 15, 2015 | 5:30 to 8:30 pm This special evening provides couples with a special opportunity to deepen their bond, spend some time nurturing their relationships and enjoy a romantic, delicious meal. A terrific “date night”! Presenters TBD. Retrouvaille February 13-15, 2014 Help for troubled marriages. Registration through Central WI Retrouvaille. | www.cwretrouvaille.org ASH WEDNESDAY $55 $195 YOUR LIFE IS A WORK OF ART February 20-22, 2015* In this retreat we will ignite or re-ignite the inner flame of higher calling within you waiting to catch fire. Just as a painter starts with an empty, unframed canvas, we too will take the raw material of our own lives and create a unique and singular work of beauty, and frame it in meaning, inner wisdom and purpose. Come enjoy a weekend of spiritual adventure where “should” and “shouldn’t” don’t exist, freeing you to follow your heart and envision the everyday life and spiritual life you truly want and how to get it. This retreat experience will include making a vision board, guided meditations, visional journaling, writing, and creating a personal vision statement – a roadmap to your future. Presented by Elizabeth Lewis. This retreat requires no art experience (stick figures and squiggly lines are just perfect!). COMPASSION RETREAT $185 ASH WEDNESDAY DAY OF PRAYER COMPASSIONATE ACCEPTANCE Wednesday, February 18, 2015 | 9:30 am - 3:00 pm A wonderful way to spend this special day of fasting and prayer to prepare for the Lenten season. Includes noon meal with fish and Mass. Presented by Fr. Frank Corradi. March 13-15, 2015* Through the exploration of time-honored contemplative spiritual practices, you will finally be able to reach a kind of healing based on acceptance and compassion that is often overlooked. This depth of healing is integral to deepening the spiritual path. Presented by Tom Roberts. *All weekend retreats begin with registration starting at 5:30 pm and the meal at 7 pm on Friday evenings and end at 1 pm on Sunday unless otherwise stated. 6 Financial & Scholarship Policy St. Anthony’s is a non-profit ministry and although we do all we can to keep prices at a minimum, there are occasions when individuals cannot afford the suggested offering for a program. If financial concerns are keeping you from attending our programs, please contact our office and ask about our limited scholarship fund. RETREAT DEPOSITS REQUESTED Because of the up-front costs in scheduling retreats and events at St. Anthony’s (food, staffing, etc.), we are asking for a deposit for each registration: $50 for any overnight retreat and $15 for day or evening offerings. Thank you for helping us make our ministry a success! RETREAT OFFERINGS The offering for all retreats except day or evening events includes a regular single room with a nearby shared bathroom. Our shared bathrooms have private stalls for showers and toilets. The cost also includes delicious buffet meals, program fees and tuition. A limited number of suites with private bathrooms are available some weekends for an increased charge on a first-come firstserved basis. Please call the Front Office to inquire about availability. “ RETREATANT TESTIMONIALS “I was so very pleased to see that very little had changed from when the Capuchins had their presence at St. Anthony’s. I felt the peaceful Franciscan atmosphere and was comforted by seeing so much of what I had come to know at the Center.” “I achieved what I came for and needed: peace and hope for my soul.” “I like the quiet (silent) retreats. They take any stress away of making ‘small talk,’ and it allows and also forces me to get in touch with myself and God.” “ VOLUNTEER TESTIMONIAL “I volunteer at SASC because it gives me the opportunity to use the skills and talents the Lord has given me in a more direct way. I can cut the grass or tend the garden at home because I have to. I volunteer at SASC because I don’t have to and that’s the difference...love and gratitude to God for such a beautiful place and beautiful people.” NEW DATABASE ROLLS OUT With more and more people asking if they can pay for their retreats online or make donations online, we decided to look into alternatives to our retreatant database system. We wanted to find a solution that would allow us to manage our mailing lists, keep track of volunteer preferences, and seamlessly track payments and registration history. We found the solution in a database called Ultra Camp. Over the next several months, we will begin using this new, secure portal for all payment processing (registrations and donations), session reservations, volunteer sign-ups and more. What you need to know: • Everybody who has attended SASC in the past 7 years will already have an account. If you are not able to login using your email address, just call the Front Office, and we’ll tell you your username and password to get you started. • Ultra Camp is secure! All payment information will be processed and stored offsite behind a firewall. • You can pay for your retreats over the phone or internet now with credit cards or even with “e-checks” directly from your checking account. As with any new system, there are sure to be bumps along the way, but we’re confident that with the excellent support that Ultra Camp offers we should be able to utilize this new database with relative ease. The result will be a database that will save our staff a lot of time and energy and lessen the opportunity for error and glitches. Please Note: You are not required to register online for your retreats. We still welcome your registrations by mail or phone. 7 Non-Profit Org US Postage PAID Permit No. 600 Wausau WI 300 East Fourth Street Marathon, WI 54448 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED WHAT’S INSIDE? News-y Bits Bountiful Harvest Celebration RFC Introductions Confirmation Retreats Wish List Ministry Associates Portal Online Mission/Values/Dream Exciting Events Planned Upcoming Events & Retreats Financial & Scholarship Policy Testimonials New Database Rolls Out cover cover p. 2 p. 2 p. 2 p. 2 p. 3 p. 3 p. 4-6 p. 7 p. 7 p. 7 THREE WAYS TO REGISTER: Complete this cut-off slip and mail to the address below. Complete the online registration form at www.sarcenter.com. Phone us at 715-443-2236. REGISTRATION DETAILS PROGRAM TITLE DATE OF PROGRAM SPECIAL REQUESTS NAME STREET ADDRESS CITY STATE ZIP CODE PHONE EMAIL Would you like to receive weekly e-news & reflections to your email address? YES NO Interested in carpooling? YES NO Give a ride? YES NO Need a ride? YES NO 300 Ea st Fourth St re et | Mar a thon Please return to St. Anthony Spirituality Center, 300 E. 4th St., Marathon, WI 54448 with your deposit to be applied to the total fee (see p. 7 for details). , Wisconsin 54448 | 71 5.443.2236 | w w w.sarcenter.com