Friday, June 11, 2021

Alpha School - Last Day of School/Teachers

Location: 
Providence Heights

Sunday, June 13, 2021

Unity from the Depths: Discovering New Paths to Reconciliation and Unity in the 21st Century

10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Location: 
Other

Unitive consciousness—the awareness that we are all one in Love—lays a solid foundation for social critique and acts of justice. ~  Richard Rohr

Unity from the Depths: A Contemplative Response to Division is a continuing series exploring four different aspects, listed below, relevant to these tumultuous times of inner and outer conflict. We wonder how our world might come to a place where healing might begin. More than ever, a contemplative approach, which embraces a countercultural stance that acknowledges a unitive consciousness among all creation, is necessary. By compassionately holding and not turning from the reality of our own conflicted feelings and internal divisions, we can begin to permit the current political and social divisiveness to break us open and lead us to fruitful choices of action.

This online series, presented by the Center at Mariandale's Contemplative Formation team members, is commissioned and sponsored by the Dominican Sisters of Hope, who believe that a contemplative response to polarization is the evolutionary and critical way toward greater unity. Four reflective online mornings may be taken individually or as a whole.

First in the Series:

Saturday, May 22, 2021 – 10:00 AM – 12 noon (EST):  Discovering New Paths to Reconciliation and Unity in the 21st Century, with Gaynell Cronin and Jack Rathschmidt, OFM Cap. 

In this first session Gaynell and Fr. Jack will explore the dark clouds dividing us as sisters and brothers, that Pope Francis, honestly acknowledges.  His letter, Fratelli Tutti (We are all Brothers and Sisters), offers us a pathway not only to insight but action. Naming the struggles in our families, church, nation and world, this reflection morning will explore how Pope Francis' plea for solidarity across national, racial, and cultural divides can be a guide for our own conversion and hope.

Click this link to register for May 22nd:
https://centeratmariandale.secure.nonprofitsoapbox.com/upcoming-events/e...

Second in the Series:

Sunday, June 13, 2021 – 10:00 AM – 12 noon (EST):  Living from the Depths: from Chaos to Union, with Don Bisson, FMS, and Janet Corso. 

In these dangerous and challenging times, to live superficially and not plummet to depths leaves us vulnerable to projections, rigidity, and false innocence.  The contemplative way is to penetrate deeper than the shadows and fears to a place of peace which the world cannot provide.  Mere religious observations are inadequate.  This topic will be an opportunity in contemplative awareness to touch into the deeper Mystery.

Click this link to register for June 13th:
https://centeratmariandale.secure.nonprofitsoapbox.com/calendar/event/435

Third in the Series:

Saturday, September 25, 2021 – 10:00 AM – 12 noon (EST):  St. Francis of Assisi: A Model of Union and Reconciliation, with Jack Rathschmidt, OFM, Cap, and Don Bisson, FMS. 

Born into a feudal society, St. Francis is both an historical figure and a mythological one.  Credited with challenging the ruling class (majori) to be more just to the poor and lowly (minori), Francis has been a model of peace, reconciliation, and lover of all creation.  Using the writings of Francis and his first followers, we will search for ways to apply his contemplative practices and wisdom to our contemporary situation.

Click this link to register for September 25th:
https://centeratmariandale.secure.nonprofitsoapbox.com/calendar/event/362

Last in the Series:

Sunday, October 24, 2021 – 10:00 AM – 12 noon (EST):  Contemplative Prayer and Practices:  Healing the Wounds of Division, with Gaynell Cronin and Janet Corso.  

Our usual prayer and spiritual practices may seem inadequate in the face of our own feelings of powerlessness and the large wounds and brokenness evident in our country and the world.  How might we be a contemplative and healing presence willing to stay with our own woundedness, and be transformed ourselves in order to best serve others?  During this time together, we will explore specifically how prayer and practices can be courageous, contemplative acts of healing.

Click this link to register for October 24th:
https://centeratmariandale.secure.nonprofitsoapbox.com/calendar/event/433