Signature Program
We are encouraging interested people to sign up for the third 3-year series, which will begin on November 18, 2011: Spiritual Deepening for Global Transformation.
PROGRAM: This Certificate Program is designed to meet the desire arising in many people for an authentic inner life. As we grapple through the unexpected experiences of our lives and anticipate the changes that lie ahead, we search for spiritual ground that helps make meaning and gives us support. We can describe the intention of the program in several ways:
Guidance for your expanding awareness. Support in the questioning that draws you toward spirituality and into a rich interior life.
Rooted in the real world, the 21st century global community, where we discover oneness with all creation and commit ourselves to live for the purpose of making a difference.
A rich mix of study, contemplation, dialogue and community and movement toward holding life as gift, time with gratitude, and challenges with compassionate understanding.
Encouragement in discovering the Divine Presence in and around the events of life and respectful of interfaith differences yet committed to grow in the spiritual values that draw us together and heal the wounds of the past.
PURPOSE of the four weekends offered in The Art of Contemplative Living is spiritual grounding to instill an ever-deepening hunger for spirituality rooted in the contemplative experience.
--In tune with the mystical spirituality of Francis of Assisi, a troubador awakened to intimacy with the Divine and whose life work impacts our world across seven centuries.
--The program draws from the Christian contemplative tradition as well as rich Eastern masters.
--In the course of four weekends, the program will invite and support participants in contemplative practices that open the doors of inner stillness, compassion and unity.
Weekend One: November 18-20, 2011. Beginning with Life: with Cecilia Corcoran, FSPA, and Henrita Frost, SSND, and Delmarie Gibney, FSPA
The spiritual path is one in which we are always beginners. Beginning with Life situates the art of contemplative living in the New Story and the age-old story of our relationship with self, others, God and the cosmos.
--What is my story? How does what I believe about myself inform my search for meaning, authentic relationships, humility before the Divine and commitment to my life's work?
--What wisdom can I accept from the spiritual path of contemplatives from my own and other traditions?
--How shall I begin or begin again more deeply the art of contemplative living?
Weekend Two: January 20-21, 2012. Growing into Myself: Becoming Who I Am. The art of contemplative living is a way of life that is experienced moment by moment. We grow into our true selves listening with the heart, breathing with the spirit, practicing loving kindness and cultivating a disarming hospitality. Growing into Myself:Who I Am leads us to:
--Certain attitudes of the heart
--Attentiveness in approaching life as it presents itself in ordinary events
--Openness to what has been, is, and continues to arise in one's life
--Tending your inner life with gentle care
Weekend Three: April 27-29, 2012. Living our Heart's Desire: Longing for the Holy. With Henrita Frost, SSND, Cecilia Corcoran, FSPA, and Johanna Seubert, FSPA. The Art of Contemplative Living is a process of waking up. We wake up to a spiritual dimension while letting go of expectations of progress or results. Sitting, chanting, reading, walking, listening, breathing: all simple practices that open us to see the interconnectedness of all life. Out of the quiet grows the truth that the longing of the heart is deep peace. We sit for the world. The world prays in us.
--Enlightenment or waking up is a sustained process of intention and receptivity
--Choose your practice and cultivate it
--Heal body and soul: spirit and mind at one with the world
Weekend Four: August 10-12, 2012. Loving Deeply: Finding the Compassionate Center. The art of contemplative living spirals steadily toward a deepening awareness of the Spirit in our hearts and in and through all beings. By attending to what is present, the barriers that usually obscure this awareness gently release, and our usual life is transformed to a journey of connection with the universe in deepening compassion. This last weekend will offer:
--Silent intensive retreat, combining mindfulness, concentration, walking, and loving kindness meditations. The meditations are adapted from the Buddhist tradition. The teachings are drawn as well from the Christian contemplative tradition, especially St. John of the Cross and St. Teresa of Avila.
--Group discussion of meditation experience
--Spiritual guidance will be available
DATES FOR YEAR TWO: AWAKENING THE SPIRITUAL/EARTH BODY
November 9-11, 2012
January 18-20, 2013
April 12-14, 2013
August 9-11, 2013
DATES FOR YEAR THREE: SERVANT LEADERSHIP FOR GLOBAL TRANSFORMATION
November 8-10, 2013
January 17-19, 2014
April 11-13, 2014
August 8-10, 2014
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Year One: The Art of Contemplative Living
The Art of Contemplative Living is the focus for Year One. Grounded in the Franciscan tradition and their own in-depth experience and training in spiritual guidance, the Center staff will gently accompany participants on an inward journey of transformation that is rooted in personal prayer, contemplative dialogue and spiritual practice. All weekends begin with dinner on Friday night, followed by the opening session. They continue through to Sunday’s brunch and concluding session.
Year Two: Awakening the Spiritual/Earth/Body
The wisdom of holistic health and the work of cosmologists will ground us in the sacredness of all creation, as we become ever more aware that matter “matters.”
Interior deepening leads outward to “matter” in our relationships. We will offer tools and provide spiritual perspectives that make a real difference in the world.
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Program Directors:
Cecilia Corcoran, FSPA, Henrita Frost, SSND, Johanna Seubert, FSPA, Gabriele Uhlein, OSF, Marge Zulaski, OSF. Other expert resource persons will accompany the process from time to time.
Sister Cecilia Corcoran has a Ph.D. in Women’s Religious Studies and has particular skill in integrating outward experience with inward deepening.
Sister Henrita Frost is a School Sister of Notre Dame from Wilton, CT. She has served her congregation nationally in the areas of health care, aging and leadership and internationally, at their Generalate in Rome Italy, as a resource person in Justice, Peace and the Integrity of Creation.
Sister Johanna Seubert has a Ph.D. in music. She has directed numerous spiritual growth programs both at the Christine Center and for her own religious community. Her specialty area is mystical spirituality which she integrates into her practice and study. She is a member of the Ridhwan Spiritual School in California.
Sister Gabriele Uhlein , OSF is an evocative presenter and facilitator. Internationally known for her refreshingly practical spiritual perspectives, she offers learning opportunities grounded in the experience and wisdom of the Christian mystics as well as contemporary spiritual thought both east and west.
Sister Marge Zulaski, OSF. As a spiritual seeker and teacher, Jungian analyst and yoga practitioner, she comes as a facilitator of spiritual maturity within individuals, groups and organizations.
Interested?
Program Fee: $1200 for first year
Checks for total amount may be sent with the application
or according to the following payment schedule:
First Deposit: $300.00 due with the application form
Second Deposit: $300.00 due November 18, 2011
Third Deposit: $300.00 due January 20, 2012
Fourth Deposit: $300.00 due April 27, 2012
For more information, or to apply, contact the Christine Center christinecenter@tds.net or call 715-267-7507.
“It is a great opportunity to discover that relationships are important to my spiritual life. I’m hoping to see myself and others differently.”
“Finally, I will be able to bring my whole self to the work of transformation and growth!”
“I have always wanted to stretch my soul, to think more deeply about the divine. I want to see the holy in the everyday, and God in every activity.”
“What a rich opportunity to be with others who want to grow, become centered, and to learn how to make a difference in the world …. I am so happy the Christine Center is offering this program!"