Thomas Merton writes that when we find our true self we find God and when we find God we find our true self. This finding is a life-long process of transformation. Authentic personal liberation leads always to greater compassion and connection with the world beyond self. We are each called to be in the process of personal transformation, yet becoming our true selves is no easy process. We get caught in busyness and non-awareness. We stumble over our doubts and get lost in our confusions. As we seek to be spiritually liberated we meet up with our own weaknesses, difficulties and unexpected turns on the road.  What do we do with these barriers and bumps on the path? How do we embrace our gifts?  What do we need in order to have a healthy and helpful approach to spiritual freedom? Joyce Rupp will explore the hindrances and the gifts on the journey of becoming spiritually free.  She will  provide both theory and practical suggestions from a variety of spiritual traditions to explore the process of becoming a more liberated and whole human being.

Friday Evening
Struggling for Balance:
Living out of a Vibrant Spirit

     How does it happen that most of our attention is given to our outer journey of family life, work, and a zillion duties of the day?  When do we pause to listen to our inner stirrings, to the part that gives us meaning, purpose and direction?  What causes us to forget that deep yearning for the divine which resides at the heart of who we are?  Joyce Rupp will address these questions and more as she reflects upon our external and internal worlds by sharing her insights and experience. Be prepared to hear story, poetry, and song in the midst of her conference.  Joyce will also offer practical ways to be more attentive to the inner journey. This evening will include an opening and closing prayer experience.

Saturday (all day retreat)
Dusting of Our Prayer

     Does your prayer life need to be re-energized or re-vitalized?  Are you looking for some refreshing ways to enter into relationship with the Divine? Seeking some space to reconnect with God in the midst of your busy life? Wishing you could tend better to your spiritual journey?  Wondering how to pray for self and others? Joyce Rupp will offer insights about the theory and expression of prayer, as well as suggest resources and approaches for personal transformation and renewal.  Besides describing creative ways to pray, she will lead the group through many of her suggestions.  Come prepared to enter into experiences of prayer such as chant, body movement and guided meditation.  The retreat will include time for quiet reflection and small group dialogue.

     Thomas Merton writes that when we find our true self we find God and when we find God we find our true self. This finding is a life-long process of transformation. Authentic personal liberation leads always to greater compassion and connection with the world beyond self. We are each called to be in the process of personal transformation, yet becoming our true selves is no easy process. We get caught in busyness and non-awareness. We stumble over our doubts and get lost in our confusions. As we seek to be spiritually liberated we meet up with our own weaknesses, difficulties and unexpected turns on the road.  What do we do with these barriers and bumps on the path? How do we embrace our gifts?  What do we need in order to have a healthy and helpful approach to spiritual freedom? Joyce Rupp will explore the hindrances and the gifts on the journey of becoming spiritually free.  She will  provide both theory and practical suggestions from a variety of spiritual traditions to explore the process of becoming a more liberated and whole human being.

     Thomas Merton writes that when we find our true self we find God and when we find God we find our true self. This finding is a life-long process of transformation. Authentic personal liberation leads always to greater compassion and connection with the world beyond self. We are each called to be in the process of personal transformation, yet becoming our true selves is no easy process. We get caught in busyness and non-awareness. We stumble over our doubts and get lost in our confusions. As we seek to be spiritually liberated we meet up with our own weaknesses, difficulties and unexpected turns on the road.  What do we do with these barriers and bumps on the path? How do we embrace our gifts?  What do we need in order to have a healthy and helpful approach to spiritual freedom? Joyce Rupp will explore the hindrances and the gifts on the journey of becoming spiritually free.  She will  provide both theory and practical suggestions from a variety of spiritual traditions to explore the process of becoming a more liberated and whole human being.

  "O Key of David, opening the gates of God's eternal Kingdom, free the prisoners of darkness!"  (O Antiphon for December 20)

Each of us has a Sacred Door which allows us entrance into the dwelling place of God. Like Mary of Nazareth, who opened her heart to be the dwelling place of Jesus, so each of us is invited to open the door of our heart and welcome the Holy One with fuller faith and greater love. This retreat is an invitation to seek and re-discover this mystery of Emmanuel, God-with-us, as we delve deeper into the Advent season. During this retreat we will open the door of our heart inward in order to look within our deepest self, to discover the treasures abiding there.  We will also open the door of our heart outward in order to look beyond our self,  to be more ready to welcome those in whom God dwells and sends into our midst.