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BCF Core Team

The BCF component of the Boundless Compassion program continues to grow and mature. My need to have a core team of dedicated BCF—to review current content and processes, offer support and share vision for the future—led me to invite the following to be a part of that team. Each of the new members generously responded:
Bobbi Bussan, OSB, Rock Island IL; Stella deVenuta, Milwaukee, WI; Patty Forsberg, Lincoln, NE; Ken Larson, Henderson, NV; Erin Matteson, Modesto, CA; Kevin Pokorny, Des Moines, IA; Mary Jo Wulf, Ames, IA. Our team will meet this coming October 14th, following the BCF Kinship Day on the 13th at Benet House, Rock Island, IL.

 

Gathering of BCF

When I was recently in southern CA to lead an afternoon parish retreat, I invited the BCF in the area to gather for a morning of prayer and sharing. When they described their BC experiences and events, along with offering suggestions for collaboration among themselves, I felt such immense joy and hope. Those present included: Heather Smith (San Diego), Amante and Christina Pulido (San Dimas), Lourdes Jacob (Yorba Linda), Colleen Shepard (Ladera Ranch), Peggy Kelley (Toluca Lake), Lani Galvan (San Dimas), and Mary Dean Pfahler (Long Beach).

Two of their suggestions I will soon follow up on: (a) Creating a Word Doc. file containing a variety of descriptions of BC events that can be used and adapted for individual BCF programs.  (b)  Developing a BC journal to accompany the BC book. I have already contacted the editor/publisher of the BC book to see if they are interested  It sounds like it might be a “go.” Fingers crossed.

 

BCF Kinship Day

Oct 13, 2020  9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Benet House, Rock Island, IL

Morning: Retreat, (communal prayer, presentation, quiet reflection time, and dialogue)
Afternoon:  BCF describe past/current events, share resources and offer ideas.
Registration fee:  $55.00  (Fee covers lunch, snacks, meeting space and program materials. I wish this day could be “free,” but my budget is too small.)
Space is limited to 25 participants. If you wish to attend, please register soon.
For those desiring overnight accommodations:  $55.00 per person (This includes breakfast, private room with bath). Additional cost for dinner: $11.)
Questions about overnight rooms/meals:
[email protected] or 309-283-2108

 

BCF Sharing Via Zoom

While it is not feasible for many BCF to come to the Midwest Kinship Day or to gather physically in your particular regions due to distance between places, I am hoping we can set up some future internet Zoom conversations.

 

Self-Evaluation

Thank you for sending in the self-evaluation. I will be studying those in great detail and let you know more about what our BCFs are doing in the next newsletter. I will also be tending to the suggestions of how I might assist you.

 

Resources

Erin Matteson informed me about royalty-free stock photos for use with handouts, PowerPoint slides, and publicity items. Check them out. They’re great.

Video: Celebrate What’s Right With the World, Dewitt Jones. This could be used when ending on a hope-filled tone at the end of Week 1 or Week 6.  It has excellent suggestions for “changing our lens” on how we view life. (Thank you, Stella deVenuta for telling me about this.)

Excellent interview with Tara Brach at the Greater Good site.  Special focus on compassion for our physical being.

For those associated with grief and loss: a valuable article on resilience: “What I Learned About Resilience in the Midst of Grief” – Lucy Hone writes about her daughter’s death

Video: Bobbi Bussan described using Daughters of the Forest: “A 56 min film I showed to a group last Thursday. It would be another Compassion and Creation resource.  I bought the film from Bullfrog. The group liked it so much they are rounding up others to come and see it.” (I encourage you to offer presentations on the topic of Compassion and Creation – Week 5 – because so much focus is on Climate Change now.)

 

Next month’s newsletter will contain resources and descriptions of events that have been developed by BCF. You’ll see how creatively the BC components are being weaved into their particular interest areas and professional lives.

Filled with gratitude for you,
Joyce

 

Discover Peace for Ourselves
If we practice with great intent and dedication, the practice becomes our life. Instead of practice being something we do, it is something we are. We become aware of a great secret treasure within our own hearts: an ease and peace that cannot be destroyed. Of course, this is not really a secret. It has been realized, understood, and taught by countless sages before. However, it is completely different to discover this truth for ourselves than to hear it from others. We meditate to discover that which is beyond conditions. We meditate to tame our minds and to train our hearts to discover, for ourselves, a peace that is truly unconditioned.
(The Magnanimous Heart, Narayan Helen Liebenson)

Programs Related to Boundless Compassion

Go to my website, Events 2020 and scroll down to the BCF section to view the Four Day Retreats, etc. being offered.

Be sure to send information on BC programs/projects you are leading or organizing so I can include them in future newsletters.