Summer /Fall 2008 Calendar Return to top
Summer Programs
There are still a few openings for
our summer retreats.
Please call or email Chris McGraw for availability —
585-473-6893 or
July 11- 18 Directed Retreat
July 27 - Aug 1 Guided Retreat “My God, I Am Yours” with Mary Pat Garvin, RSM, Ph.D.
August 10 - 15 “Words for the Journey” with Carolyn Gorny-Kopkowski, OSB
August 22 - Respite for Caregivers
September
2 AM Faith Sharing
9 Caregiver Respite
11-14 Margaret Silf Retreat
15,16 Finding God in our Everyday World (
17 AM & PM Workshop for Spiritual Directors
&
Pastoral Administrators
18-21 Margaret Silf Retreat
22 Finding
God in our Everyday World (
23 Day to Call Your Own
23 Enneagram Reflection Group
24 Spiritual Exercises - Opening
October
2 Day to Call Your Own
2 Evening Faith Sharing
3-4 Enneagram II
7 AM Faith Sharing
7 Your Dreams and Spirituality
7 Discovering a Healthy and
Sacred Lifestyle - Part 1
10 Caregiver Respite
14 Your Dreams and Spirituality
16 Evening Faith Sharing
21 Discovering a Healthy and
Sacred Lifestyle - Part 2
21 Your Dreams and Spirituality
28 Enneagram Reflection Group
28 Your Dreams and Spirituality
November
4 AM Faith Sharing
4 Your Dreams and Spirituality
6 Day to Call Your Own
6 Evening Faith Sharing
8 Transforming Your Shadow
11 Your Dreams and Spirituality
13 Caregiver Respite
13 Grief Workshop
14-16 “God is a Loving God”
18 Designing a Healthy Workout
20 Evening Faith Sharing Group
25 Enneagram Reflection Group
December
1 Advent Mass
2 AM Faith Sharing
4 Caregivers Respite
4- 7 Advent Centering Prayer Retreat
9 Advent Day of Reflection
11 Day to Call Your Own
23 Enneagram Reflection Group
Coming in January 2009:
12-Step Spirituality Program
Men’s Retreat
Two Workshops for Spiritual
Directors
and Pastoral Ministers
Cost: $35 per session; $65 both sessions
Presenter: Margaret Silf
Site: Asbury First United
“Find a True Course” (morning session)
Wednesday, September 17, Time: 9:30 am - 11:30 am
· Our spiritual traditions offer us practical tools that can help us in the task of discernment.
· How
can we make these tools more accessible to the wider world?
“Addressing the Real Questions” (evening session)
Wednesday, September 17, Time: 7:00 - 9:00 pm
· How can we accompany others on their journeys more effectively?
· How can we help them explore for themselves, in the safe and open relationship of spiritual direction, the questions that are really engaging them?
Finding God in our Everyday World
Two-evening series
Monday, September 15 and Tuesday September 16
Time: 7:00 - 9:00 pm
Site: Sisters of
Presenter: Margaret Silf
Cost: $35 per session; $65 both sessions
· Is God really present in our everyday living?
· Explore ways of connecting day-to-day living with the challenge that God holds out to us.
Finding God in our Everyday World
One-evening Talk (
Monday, September 22, Time: 7:00 - 9:00 pm
Site: Sisters of Mercy Mother House,
Presenter: Margaret Silf
Cost: $35 per session
· Is God really present in our everyday living?
· Explore ways of connecting day-to-day living with the challenge that God holds out to us.
Discovering a Healthy and Sacred
Lifestyle Return to top
(two-part series)
Tuesday, October 7, 7:00 - 9 :00 pm
Presenter: Diane Ferrucci
Cost: $15 per session
Part 1: Let Food Be Your Medicine
· Discover foods that you should incorporate into your life to achieve optimum health
· Learn how to diagnose your diet by reading a food label and acquiring proper nutrients
· Become aware of foods that deplete your energy and cause weight gain.
· Learn an effective technique before eating that will change what you consume
Tuesday, October 21, 7:00 - 9:00 pm
Part 2: Combine Faith and Fitness to Feel Fantastic
· Learn the secrets to having faith, determination, and discipline on the challenging days when it is hard to stay motivated on your program
· Discover the most effective strategies in maintaining a well-balanced fitness program
· Become informed on what a total fitness workout means for all fitness levels and abilities
Your Dreams and Spirituality (six-part series) Return to top
Tuesdays, October 7, 14, 21, 28; November 4,11, 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Presenter: Dorothy Lindsay
Cost: $100
Our dreams are another gateway to understand ourselves and our connection to the Divine. In this participatory experience, you will learn
· How to remember your dreams, interpret and understand your dreams
· Explore your personal and general dream symbols.
Transforming Your Shadow
Saturday, November 8, Time: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Presenter: Margaret Mattle, RSM
Cost: $30 (BYO lunch)
With basic understanding of “shadow” as background, we will explore and encourage ways of prayer and reflection that enable greater understanding of one’s particular blocks to self-awareness and spiritual growth
· impeding freedom.
· These will include guided meditation, imaginative activities, journaling and changing attitudes toward God and self that open one to Spiritual transformation.
Grief: Insight and Tools Return to top
Thursday, November 13, Time: 7:00 – 9:00 pm
Presenters: Carol Marron, Rose Marie Tischer
Cost: $15
“How can I be
surrounded by so many people and still feel so very much alone?” There is grieving and there is mourning.
These are necessary to living a peace-filled abundant life.
Here is a time for you –
· to know you are safe with your grief
· to have no demands on you to feel you have to talk when you feel uncomfortable
· to dispel some myths about grieving
Come in your most comfortable clothes to spend an evening with friends.
Designing a Healthy Workout Return to top
Tuesday, November 18, Time: 7:00 - 8:45 pm
Presenter: Diane Ferrucci
Cost: $15
Come and learn how to develop a fitness program that will help you become the strong healthy person God created you to be:
· a total body workout requires stretching, toning and cardio conditioning
· can be done in the comfort of your home without any fancy equipment
· Reap the benefits immediately when done diligently and consistently
· For people of all ages, abilities, and fitness levels
· Will need comfortable clothes; a towel, sneakers and socks
· Bring a set of free weights (2,3 or 5 lbs.) if you have them
· Bring a courageous willing spirit to learn and practice these new exercises.
Advent Mass and Soup Supper
Monday, December 1, 5:30 pm
Cost: $15
· Advent offers an opportunity to reflect on the light, hope, peace and joy dwelling in the heart of what Christmas means.
· Come and celebrate with us at a Eucharistic Liturgy, followed by a soup and bread supper.
Advent Day of Reflection Return to top
Tuesday, December 9, Time: 9:30 am – 2:00 pm
Facilitator: Bonnie Matthaidess
Cost: $30 (BYO Lunch)
An INVITATION to experience SIMPLICITY and CENTERING as you PREPARE for CHRISTMAS.
· This season has the potential to pull us in many directions; for this reason, this may be the most important time of the year to be single-minded in how we live.
· Plan ahead. You may want to consider gifting a family member, a friend, and yourself to this quieting, prayerful pre-Christmas discovery and experience.
Retreat Programs Return to top
Sacred Spaces
(Two - four-day
retreats)
(Based on the book Sacred
Spaces—Stations on a
Presenter: Margaret Silf
Cost: $375 resident; $275 commuter
· Thursday, September 11 at 7:00 pm - Sunday, September 14 after brunch
· Thursday, September 18 at 7:00 pm - Sunday, September 21 after brunch
Cost: $375 resident; $275 commuter
Focus will be on seven “sacred spaces” in Celtic spirituality: the infinite knot, the high tower, hill tops, wells, groves and springs, crossing places and boundary ground
Exploration of these symbolic places from the point of view both of our personal inner space and of the wholeness and healing of all creation
Enneagram II Retreat Return to top
(Prerequisite:
Enneagram I)
Friday, October 3, 7:00 - 9:00 pm and Saturday, October 4, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm (BYO lunch)
Presenter: Sharon O’Toole
Cost: Resident $125 / Commuter $75
Provides an opportunity to deepen your understanding of the three energy centers: the heart, head and gut.
· What helps in our transformation?
· What does it mean to embrace our authentic selves?
God is a Loving God
Friday, November 14 at 7:00 pm through Sunday, November 16 after brunch
Presenter: Fr. James Dolan, S.J.
Cost: Resident $185 / Commuter $115
A weekend retreat where Father Jim will share the message of God’s unconditional love for us and share insights around the spirituality of Anthony deMello, S.J. His delight for stories encourages the listeners to believe in themselves.
People lives are visibly changed as they find God in all things. Fr. Jim continues this delightful and challenging mission of presenting wake-up spirituality retreats.
· Good News of hope and light
· Presentations, meditations, sharing and quiet time Return to top
Advent Centering Prayer Retreat
Thursday, December 4 at 7:00 pm through Sunday, December 7 after brunch.
Presenter: Mary Dwyer, L.C.S.W.
Cost: $235 Resident / $145 Commuter
(Prior CP experience needed)
During this time of preparation, come away into silence and solitude.
· Includes extended periods of Centering Prayer, Silence and Solitude
· Rhythm of the retreat allows for rest and community sharing
ONGOING PROGRAMS Return to top
Women Sharing a Woman’s Journey
Meets the 1st Tuesday of each month
September 2, October 7, November 4, December 2
Time: 10:00 am - 12:00 Noon
Facilitator: Margaret Mattle, RSM
Cost: $15 per session
Women of all ages:
· Coming together for prayer, quiet time and faith sharing
· Discerning God’s Spirit - leading on their journey
· Being enriched by their community
·
A Day to Call Your Own
Tuesday, September 23, Thursdays, October 2, November 6, and December 11
Time: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Facilitator:
Cost: $15
· Begins with Opening Prayer at 9:30 am
· Spend the day freely in prayer, quiet reflection and solitude
· Light lunch is provided
· Space
is limited; make reservation early
Enneagram Reflection Group Return to top
(Meets the 4th Tuesday of the month)
September 23; October 28; November 25; December 23
Time: 7:00 - 9:00 pm
Facilitator: Margaret Mattle, RSM
Cost: $15 per session
A follow-up of our Enneagram Workshop or any basic work on self-understanding through the Enneagram.
· Read and reflect on the book, Discover Your Soul Potential by Kathleen Hurley and Theodorre Donson
· Share insights, questions, and concerns in the group toward greater integration of this spirituality in daily life.
Evening Faith Sharing
(1st and 3rd Thursdays)
Thursdays, October 2, 16; November 6,20; December -TBA
Time: 7:00 - 9:00 pm
Facilitator: Jody Kearney, RSM
Cost: $15
· Open to persons of all faiths Return to top
A Letter from Sister Therese Return to top
As I write this to you my heart is full of gratitude. Some time ago I remember reading that gratitude is a passionate transformative force that bestows reverence, allowing us to encounter everyday epiphanies that change forever how we experience life and the world. My life and my experience of the world has indeed been changed by all of you these many years.
I
have immense gratitude: for the team I
have had the pleasure and honor to be a part of here at Mercy Prayer Center,
for the daily blessings I have received from each of them, gratitude for the
beauty of the work itself and the way it has deepened my spirituality and
gratitude for all of you who have come to the Mercy Prayer Center. You have touched my life with your deep faith,
your courage, trust and hope in the God who loves and continually guides us on
our life journey. My years at
The
vision and ministry of the
Now, I feel it is time to “let go” of the comfortableness and security of what I know, have learned and have grown to love here at the Mercy Prayer Center and to risk the uncomfortableness and challenge of a “new way”. Yes, even in old age one can be challenged to a new way – right?
How
can one put words around those intangibles involved in the “call” to a ministry
like
Peace to you all. Return to top
Sister Therese
The new swing is located near the west end of the building and will be a wonderful addition to our numerous “sacred prayer spaces”.
Seated: Jody Kearney,
RSM, Therese Richardson, RSM, Goldie Rogers;
Standing: Marg Mattle, RSM, Pat Bauman, Chris McGraw, Laurie Orman, RSM, Jerry
Lupien, Giovina Caroscio
Return to top
Permanent Staff Return to top
Patricia Bauman, has been on the staff of
Giovina Caroscio, MSW, has 30 years experience working with parish and diocesan groups in spirituality and social ministry. She is skilled in group facilitation, social justice education and the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius: 19th Annotation. Giovina has a special concern for developing lay leadership, fostering a contemplative dimension of ministry, and linking spirituality and action for justice.
Sr. Jody Kearney, RSM, MA, is Program
Director of Mercy Prayer Center and has been a member of the staff for 17
years. She has a Masters Degree in Spirituality and Pastoral Ministry from St.
Michael’s College,
Gerard (Jerry) Lupien is the newest
member of our staff, starting in October, 2007. He comes to us following a thirty-one year career as an executive
director for the Boy Scouts of America. Jerry is a graduate of the Lay Ministry Training Program in the Diocese
of Burlington, VT and has a degree in elementary education from
Chris McGraw , our Business Manager, is in her tenth year at
Goldie Rogers has been secretary here at the
Volunteer Staff Return to top
Sr. Therese Richardson, RSM, has been
on staff at
Sr. Margaret Mary (Marg) Mattle, RSM, is one of the foundresses of
You might be interested in knowing
more about
Our Fiscal Year 2008 - 2009 budget calls for total expenses of $350,000. That includes building and occupancy expenses, program and staff office staff, insurance, supplies, and lots of food. In order to balance our budget, we must raise $81,500 in charitable donations, and that is over and above a $60,000 subsidy from the Sisters of Mercy.
If and when you are asked, we pray you will be generous. Return to top
Thank you.
REGISTRATION POLICY Return to top
Many programs fill quickly, so we recommend early registration. In consideration of our presenters, a program will be cancelled if the minimum registration is not met seven days prior to program dates.
There is a $5 non-refundable deposit required for each program. There
is a 50% non-refundable deposit for all weekend and week-long retreats and any
overnight programs. Refunds are only given if a program is cancelled by
![Text Box: You can register on-line at: http://www.mercyprayercenter.org/forms/reg.htm
Or Mail to:
Mercy Prayer Center
65 Highland Ave.,
Rochester, NY 14620
585-473-6893
For questions, send email to: info@mercyprayercenter.org
REGISTRATION FORM
Please complete and mail to the address below at least one week prior to the scheduled program.
Name: _____________________________________________________
Address: ___________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
Phone: _____________________________________
Email: _____________________________________________________
Amount Enclosed: $ ___________ Resident ____ Commuter _____
[Please Indicate]
Program choice(s) and date(s): _________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
$5 Non-Refundable Deposit required for EACH program.
50% Non-Refundable Deposit for all overnight, weekend and week-long programs.](http://mercyprayercenter.org/enews/graphics/Reservation Form.gif)
