Upcoming retreats of the 2006 schedule

NOVEMBER 2006

November 3-5
Vocation Discernment Retreat
Br. Michael
Open to single Catholic men, ages 18-45. For some people an experience such as a Vocational Discernment Retreat comes at a point in their life when they have begun to feel — or have felt for some time — an inner pull toward a religious life, or perhaps the monastic way. This can prove to be a trying and confusing time, one in which it is hard to grasp the basic direction in their lives. Vocational Discernment Retreats allow men to come together with others who share a similar focus and who want to listen to God and their own hearts in a prayerful atmosphere of silence, beauty and peace. We offer these retreats free of charge as a way of helping men to see more clearly both what they want and what God wants for them.

November 13-17 (Special mid-week retreat)
Intensive Centering Prayer Retreat
Francis Fr. Gerard and Jocelyn Lyons
This retreat will provide the time and place for deeply entering into God in the center of our hearts through four to five hours of centering prayer each day. Each daily presentation will consist of a simple reflection upon centering prayer as well as a forum for sharing with others on the deep experiences and problems that occur during intensive centering. Spiritual Direction will be made readily available Retreatants are urged to see a spiritual director each day. They will also be paired off with another retreatant for daily sharing on their centering prayer experiences, since it is important to sort out what happens on such a powerful time of prayer. Retreatants will have the opportunity to pray all seven of the hours of the liturgy. The schedule allows ample time for leisurely walks and praying with the scriptures. Most of all this is a time of soaking in God’s love—and thereby praying with and for all people and all creation.

November 17-19
Praying with the Scriptures
Frs. Gerard, Tom Francis, Anthony; and Br. Michael
This retreat offers an introduction to Lectio Divina, the prayerful slow reading of the Word. This reading flows into meditation that gives rise to contemplation by the Spirit of God pouring into your heart and mind. You will learn very simple techniques taught by the Cistercians that will assist you in moving beyond Scripture study to allow the Word of God to empower you.

November 24-26
Monastic Desert Fathers for Modern Christians
Abbot Francis Michael and Fr. Tom Francis
Lessons on learning how to love from the Desert Father and Mothers.

DECEMBER 2006

December 1-3
Yoga and Contemplation, Part III
Fr. Tom Francis, Br. Chaminade, and Yoga Instructors Dayna Gelinas and Scott Hodgman
For those experienced in yoga this will be an in-depth exploration into the philosophy and practice of yoga and Christian mysticism, and where they converge in the life of the Christian.

December 4-7
Facing Life After Fifty: Spiritually Embracing Your Own Wisdom Years
Frs. Anthony, Tom Francis, James, Br.. Mark
The autumn of years is the time when the greatest riches of life can unfold. Suggestions on how to nourish our inner lives, stirring our souls through challenges that make the most of this stage of life. The spiritual practices of praying, nurturing, to center and ground our lives, enabling Spirit to speak through silence and solitude.

December 8-10
11th-Step Retreat
Br. Michael and Fr. Gerard
This retreat is open to all — not only people in 12-step recovery programs. The 11th step calls us to seek, through prayer and meditation, to improve our conscious contact with God, praying for knowledge of His will for us, and the power to carry it out. In this retreat, you will learn the ancient tools of Centering Prayer and Lectio Divina. You will also be introduced to imaginative prayer as taught by St. Ignatius of Loyola.

December 15-17
Isaiah, the Prophet of Great Expectations
Frs. Tom Francis and Gerard
Isaiah the prophet spoke out boldly in times of great discouragement, a message filled with hope. His words are a light shining in the darkness of the postmodern world. “Comfort, give comfort to my people says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem”(Is 40: 1-2). “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name: you are mine... Fear not, I am with you: from the east I will bring back your descendants, from the west I will gather you” (Is 43:1b, 5) Then he calls us to action. This retreat treats on the contemplative response based on the book of Prophet Isaiah.

Schedule Subject to Change.

If you have further questions please call 770-760-0959 10:10 AM to 12 Noon and 2:10 PM- 4 on weekdays and 2:10 PM to 3 on weekends, e-mail us at retreat@trappist.net