Team Spiritual Care: Catholic Men's Retreat

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Franciscan Center

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

11:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

LUNCH PROVIDED

Theme: God’s Limitless Mercy

RSVP to Joe Thibodeau: 436-6413

Team Spiritual Care: Open Your Hands

Sister Kateri Theriault

Jesus taught that we have a fundamental choice to make: to hold tight to whatever we find of value or to let go of all for the sake of Christ and the gospel. Most of us find ourselves somewhere in the middle—probably more on the side of grasping than letting go, if we’re honest about it. Perhaps the story of the closed fist vs. the open palm can help loosen our grip. Both can hold a precious jewel, but a closed fist can receive nothing more than what it already holds, while an upward-facing open palm can hold the jewel and also be filled with much more. Keep your hands open and leave room for the gifts of the Spirit.


TODAY’S READINGS: Sirach 35:1-12; Mark 10:28-31 (348)

“There is no one who has given up [anything] for my sake . . . who will not receive a hundred times more.”


CONTRIBUTORS

Alice Camille, Daniel Grippo, Father Larry Janowski, O.F.M., Ann O’Connor, Siobhán O’Neill, Joel Schorn, Patrice J. Tuohy, Sister Julie Vieira, I.H.M.

Team Spiritual Care:Be with People who are Going Someplace



Sister Kateri Theriault






It’s no accident that people often talk about the spiritual life as a faith journey. Early Christians defined themselves as “people of the Way”—recognizing Christ as the Way they were going. Theirs was no static definition of religion that obliged them only to sit still and memorize the facts of faith for later retrieval. They knew that following Jesus implied they were on the move, going somewhere, making progress, changing and growing, hoping to arrive at some magnificent destination. Are you part of the people of the Way today? Or do you tell yourself that being in the pews means you’ve already arrived?

TODAY’S READINGS: Acts 18:23-28; John 16:23b-28 (296)

“Apollos. . . . had been instructed in the Way of the Lord.”

CONTRIBUTORS

Alice Camille, Daniel Grippo, Father Larry Janowski, O.F.M., Ann O’Connor, Siobhán O’Neill, Joel Schorn, Patrice J. Tuohy, Sister Julie Vieira, I.H.M

Team Spiritual Care: Pass on the Works of Wisdom

Sister Kareri Theriault

People who work with their hands have an intimate connection with their labor, and because of that as a rule they take great pride in and care of what they do. Though you don’t hear much about Joseph or his relationship with Jesus in the biblical accounts, it does not seem a stretch to imagine him patiently teaching his craft to young Jesus and imparting a lot of wisdom along the way. Whatever your own line of work may be, you do well to stay connected to its basic dignity and share that value with a young person in your own life. In doing so you will be shaping a future life in the same quiet way Joseph did.



TODAY’S READINGS: For the memorial: Genesis 1:26-2:3 or Colossians 3:14-15, 17, 23-24; Matthew 13:54-58 (559)

“ ‘Where did this man get such wisdom and mighty deeds? Is he not the carpenter’s son?’”



CONTRIBUTORS

Alice Camille, Daniel Grippo, Father Larry Janowski, O.F.M., Ann O’Connor, Siobhán O’Neill, Joel Schorn, Patrice J. Tuohy, Sister Julie Vieira, I.H.M.

Team Spiritual Wellness: Do You See Clearly?

Sister Kateri Theriault

Do you see clearly?

Early in the 20th century quantum physicists discovered a mysterious phenomenon they called “the disturbing observer.” They had learned that merely observing a quantum particle changes it in unpredictable ways. As a result scientists have had to develop elaborate methods for their experiments to compensate for the changes their observations cause. What is true at the quantum level of reality holds true at the visible level as well, only the effects are much more subtle. In other words, your attitude toward a person or event has an unpredictable effect on what you perceive. Today, be aware that what you observe is partly of your own making. Are you judging or loving?

TODAY’S READINGS: Acts 7:51-8:1a; John 6:30-35 (274)
“What sign can you do, that we may see and believe in you?”

CONTRIBUTORS

Alice Camille, Daniel Grippo, Father Larry Janowski, O.F.M., Ann O’Connor, Siobhán O’Neill, Joel Schorn, Patrice J. Tuohy, Sister Julie Vieira, I.H.M.

Team Spiritual Care: Get in the Way

Sister Kateri Theriault

In the Easter season we recall how the faith grew in its earliest days. It wasn’t easy. The Way of following Jesus of Nazareth as the Messiah and Risen Lord was opposed just as Jesus himself had been, and by the same forces, the organized religion of the day. When those powers imprisoned the apostles for invoking The Name, God’s angel whispered to them, “Go and take your place in the temple area, and tell the people everything about this life” and freed them from prison to do so. Today, that same spirit is still breathing and blowing as she will—and not always in accord with what has been organized or established.

TODAY’S READINGS: Acts 5:17-26; John 3:16-21 (269)
“Whoever lives the truth comes to the light.”

CONTRIBUTORS

Alice Camille, Daniel Grippo, Father Larry Janowski, O.F.M., Ann O’Connor, Siobhán O’Neill, Joel Schorn, Patrice J. Tuohy, Sister Julie Vieira, I.H.M.

Team Spiritual Care: Gone Fishing

Sister Kateri Theriault

In 1951 Bing Crosby and Louis Armstrong recorded “Gone Fishing,” a song that playfully extolled the benefits of leaving cares and troubles behind for some quiet time on a lake. Seems the Apostle Peter took the same approach when, not quite sure what to do with himself after Jesus’ death, he headed out on the Sea of Tiberius to see what he could catch. Not only does he end up with a boatload of fish, but he encounters the risen Lord in the process. Sometimes when a difficult problem or heavy burden seems too much to bear, the best medicine is a day off for some alone time. By doing so you may not only find the solution you lacked but also touch base with your deepest values.

TODAY’S READINGS: Acts 4:1-12; John 21:1-14 (265)
“Simon Peter said to them, ‘I am going fishing.’ ”

CONTRIBUTORS

Alice Camille, Daniel Grippo, Father Larry Janowski, O.F.M., Ann O’Connor, Siobhán O’Neill, Joel Schorn, Patrice J. Tuohy, Sister Julie Vieira, I.H.M.

Team Spiritual Care: The True Self

Sister Kateri Theriault

“Jesus’ life and his risen body say . . . that the discovery of our own divine DNA is the only, full, and final meaning of being human. The True Self is neither God nor human. The True Self is both at the same time, and both are a total gift.” — Richard Rohr

Team Spiritual Care: Consumed with Self

Sister Kateri Therault

Modern Culture Modern culture isn't in bad shape because of what it consumes. Modern culture is in bad shape because it's so consumed with self. — from Tweet Inspiration

Team Spiritual Care: Give the Gift of Love

Sister Kateri Theriault
Mission Integration

One of the keys to Lenten conversion is almsgiving, a word seldom heard except in church, which might be apt because while altruism can often be found among all good people, there is something more here than acts of charity. In his First Letter to the Corinthians, Saint Paul says, “If I give away everything I own . . . but do not have love, I gain nothing.” It is the love, your attitude toward the other, not the thing given or even the sacrifice in giving that matters; it is the love that must motivate the gesture. It’s not only, “Shall I give this person a few dollars?” but also, “shall I—can I—love them?”

TODAY’S READINGS: Jeremiah 17:5-10; Luke 16:19-31 (233)
“I, the Lord, alone probe the mind and test the heart, to reward everyone according to his ways.”

CONTRIBUTORS

Alice Camille, Daniel Grippo, Father Larry Janowski, O.F.M., Ann O’Connor, Siobhán O’Neill, Joel Schorn, Patrice J. Tuohy, Sister Julie Vieira, I.H.M.

From the Desk of Sister Kateri Theriault OSF

Sister Kateri Theriault

Once again St. Leonard is blessed. God heard our prayers for a full-time Sacramental Minister. You may already have heard that Rev. Gerald Haemmerle has decided to retire here at our residential community and serve as Sacramental Minister. Many of you may know him because he is currently the pastor at St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Kettering.

Marcy, Tim and I have met with him on different occasions and feel truly blessed that he has chosen St. Leonard as his home in early retirement years. We are grateful that our ministerial needs fit with what he is hoping to continue in his early retirement. We know that you will welcome him with open arms and much gratitude. God has gifted us once again with a Sacramental Minister who will be living among us. Our prayers have been heard. Amen!

Team Spiritual Care: God's Guidance

Sister Kateri Theriault God knows the things that give us great joy and delight. God knows the people who we need to come into our path that will help form us and shape us. — from Finding My Voice

Team Spiritual Care: Think First

Sister Kateri Theriault       A peaceful attitude can go a long way toward living the message of the Gospel. If we think (and pray) before we speak or act, we will save ourselves and others a great deal of misunderstanding and heartache. — from Lent with St. Francis

Team Spiritual Care: Keep in Touch

Sister Kateri Theriault

Human beings require gentle, frequent touch to thrive. When touched in a nurturing, appropriate way, blood pressure goes down and creativity goes up. Tender loving care makes us whole, accepting, and generous. Studies have shown that premature infants given soothing massaging touches gain weight faster, children who are cuddled by their parents are more likely to graduate high school, and students who receive a supportive pat by a teacher are nearly twice as likely to volunteer in class. Unleash the power of a proper hug.

TODAY’S READINGS: Hebrews 12:1-4; Mark 5:21-43 (324)
“He took the child by the hand and said to her, ‘Talitha koum,’ which means, ‘Little girl, I say to you, arise!’ ”

CONTRIBUTORS

Alice Camille, Daniel Grippo, Father Larry Janowski, O.F.M., Ann O’Connor, Siobhán O’Neill, Joel Schorn, Patrice J. Tuohy, Sister Julie Vieira, I.H.M.

Team Spiritual Care: Passage to Freedom

Sister Kateri Theriault

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have become more firmly convinced than ever that forgiveness is the universal path to wisdom and the only reliable passage to freedom and joy.
— from Set Free

Team Spiritual Care: Forgiveness

Sister Kateri Theriault
Mission Integration

The Road to Forgiveness

Forgiveness is a lot like trying to quit tobacco or drugs – it may take a lot of failures before we succeed. Until we reach the final moment of letting go, we must continually move toward it.
— from Make Room For God

Team Spiritual Care: Forgiveness is an Action

Sister Kateri Theriault
Mission Integration! 

Forgiveness is something we do internally. It is a refusal to hate, resent or desire revenge. It is an act of the will, not a feeling. Once we understand God is not asking us to pardon someone when we forgive, we can work on forgiveness.
— from Make Room For God

Team Spiritual Care: New Year's Resolution

Sister Kateri Theriault Mission Integration

Hand in Hand Love and forgiveness go hand in hand; they cannot be separated, one from the other, without diminishing their very essence, their very intent: to spend our eternal life with God. — from Wrapped Up

What is Advent Again?

Team Spiritual Care: Learning How to Receive

Tim Dressman CEO   ADVENT: LEARNING HOW TO RECEIVE We have in Mary’s story what some call the second creation story in the Bible. Again it is a creation that is ex nihilo, or out of nothing. Mary is the one quite willing to be the nothing. God does not need worthiness ahead of time; God creates worthiness by the choice itself. And as I have said many other times, “God does not love you because you are good; you are good because God loves you.” It seems God will not come into the world unreceived or uninvited. God is gentle and does not come into your world unless you actually want God. Presence is a reciprocal or mutual encounter. One can give it, but it has to be received or there is no presence. For many Catholics, Mary is indeed the model of how “real presence” effectively happens. It is not just through a priest’s transubstantiation of bread, but by the transformation of the persons who eat that bread. From Things Hidden: Scripture as Spirituality, pp. 178-179