@Home Retreat - September 19th, 2020

                     You are cordially invited to attend the:            

                    @Home Monthly Morning Retreat  

                          September 19th, 2020 9:00-10:00am

*Prepare your space: Find an area where hopefully you will not be disturbed for your quiet time.  Perhaps you want a blanket for yourself (or a teddy bear?). 

*Gather your supplies: Timer, note paper and/or journal, pen.  You may want to bring in one or two inspirational books.

*Create an “altar”: Put a few meaningful items out, include a 

candle.

*Opening Song - Parable or one of your choice.

         (This is a link in case you want to listen to it & sing along)

                         

https://youtu.be/zuQDeq0gtG4

Parable

To everything there is a season

A time to be born and a time to die

A time to plant and a time for harvest

A time to meet and a time to part

Nothing can grow in barren soil

Briars and ravens take their toll

Still there is grain a hundred-fold

From seeds that took root and grew

To everything there is a season

A time to be born and a time to die

A time for joy and a time for grieving

A time to seek and a time to lose

God's word is like the farmer's seed

Rooted in joyful, loving hearts

Growing like grain in fertile ground

A harvest that overflows

To everything there is a season

A time to be born and a time to die

A time to plant and a time for harvest

A time to meet and a time to part

Based on Ecclesiastes: -Mathew

             

 

*Opening Prayers - The Sign of the Cross/Our Father/Hail Mary/Glory Be or your choice.

*Intention:  This is a reflective, healing time and we ask that it be filled with the love of the Holy Spirit, the care of Mother Mary and the guidance of all our guardian angels.  We are here to learn from one another and to support each other on our journey towards a closer, more intimate relationship with Our Lord.

*Write out a prayer request or a few and add them to your “altar.”

*Reflection - It has now been over 6 months since the Covid virus appeared and while we had hoped this was a short-lived problem, it is still with us and our lives have changed. How have you continued to stay connected to God, the Divine, Our Lord?  What has come into your heart during this time of chaos and uncertainty peace, hope, fear, compassion? 

Using your journal write about any insights. (10-15 min.)

Responsorial Psalm

R. (14) I will walk in the presence of God, in the light of the living.

Now I know that God is with me.

In God, in whose promise I glory,

in God I trust without fear;

what can flesh do against me?

R. I will walk in the presence of God, in the light of the living.

I am bound, O God, by vows to you;

your thank offerings I will fulfill.

For you have rescued me from death,

my feet, too, from stumbling;

that I may walk before God in the light of the living.

R. I will walk in the presence of God, in the light of the living.

 

 

Alleluia

LK 8:15

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Blessed are they who have kept the word with a generous heart

and yield a harvest through perseverance.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

*Scripture Reading for today - Lectio Divinia - Slowly read the following daily scripture three times.  Read the passage slowly and carefully.

      

Gospel

LK 8:4-15

When a large crowd gathered, with people from one town after another

journeying to Jesus, he spoke in a parable. 

“A sower went out to sow his seed.

And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path and was trampled,

and the birds of the sky ate it up.

Some seed fell on rocky ground, and when it grew,

it withered for lack of moisture.

Some seed fell among thorns,

and the thorns grew with it and choked it.

And some seed fell on good soil, and when it grew,

it produced fruit a hundredfold.”

After saying this, he called out,

“Whoever has ears to hear ought to hear.”

Then his disciples asked him

what the meaning of this parable might be.

He answered,

“Knowledge of the mysteries of the Kingdom of God

has been granted to you;

but to the rest, they are made known through parables

so that they may look but not see, and hear but not understand.

“This is the meaning of the parable. 

The seed is the word of God.

Those on the path are the ones who have heard,

but the Devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts

that they may not believe and be saved.

Those on rocky ground are the ones who, when they hear,

receive the word with joy, but they have no root;

they believe only for a time and fall away in time of temptation.

As for the seed that fell among thorns,

they are the ones who have heard, but as they go along,

they are choked by the anxieties and riches and pleasures of life, 

and they fail to produce mature fruit.

But as for the seed that fell on rich soil,

they are the ones who, when they have heard the word,

embrace it with a generous and good heart,

and bear fruit through perseverance.”

       

        

*Journaling Time - What did you hear God sharing with you?  What do you want to share with God? (10-15 minutes)

*Centering Prayer - 10 to 20 (recommended) minutes of silent time (you decide.)

*Centering Prayer - Guidelines 

1. Sit comfortably.

1. Choose a sacred word on which to focus.

1. Set a timer.

1. Don’t judge, just observe.

1. The phrase that often precedes Centering Prayer is:  I let go of security, affection & control and fully accept this moment exactly as it is.  (Optional)

1. Take a few breaths at the end to return to the present moment and to reflect on the experience.

Certified Spiritual Director

*Make it Your Own:

Perhaps you have an inspirational book you have been meaning to investigate but you just haven’t had the opportunity.  Now is the time.  If you have some time left before the end of the hour open it and see what other messages the Holy is sending to you.  

You could also use this time to say the Rosary.  Saturday in the Catholic Church is set aside as “Mary’s Day” and the reflection is on the Joyful Mysteries.  

*Closing Prayer - 

Dear God,

Speak gently in my silence.

When the loud outer noises of my surroundings and the loud   inner noises of my fears keep pulling me away from you,

help me to trust that you are still there even when I am unable to   hear you.

Give me ears to listen to your small, soft voice saying: “Come to me, you who are overburdened,

and I will give you rest...

for I am gentle and humble of heart.”

Let that loving voice be my guide. 

Amen

Excerpt from With Open Hands by Henri J.M. Nouwen, ave maria press, 2006

       “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God-what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:1-2

*Sharing a Word Exercise - choose a word from your reading or your quiet time (your sacred word?) and share it.  Feel free to share any other thoughts or insights you have gained from this sacred time.  

Thank you. 

Jean Costa, MSW

@Home Retreat - Creating Sacred Space

Affirmation:  Sacred time is an integral part of my spiritual well-being.    

In February of this year a group of four women gathered to talk about holding a woman’s monthly morning retreat at our church, St. Michael the Archangel.  The process actually began after Christmas during my stay in the North Carolina mountains.  For me, it is a very spiritual place and during my week there, God spoke to me.  Actually, I think it may have been Mother Mary but whoever wanted my attention, they got it.  Oh, not at first.  “No No No,” I answered but after the third morning of no, I gave up and said, “OK, if you want this to happen, send help.”  Here’s the story.

I awoke the first morning and as I journaled, I got the inspiration to create a woman’s monthly morning retreat.  ”NO!  I do not have time.  I don’t want to spread myself so thin.”  There!!  The second morning, the message arrived even before I sat for my quiet time.  “NO!  I cannot commit to a monthly engagement.  I like to travel.  I couldn’t possibly be available.”  The third morning, I woke up with the same message.  Again, I refused.  “No!  I couldn’t do this on my own.  I would need help.”  That was all the spirit needed, that tiny, “maybe.”  I imagined the person I would like to help with such a project and within an hour, I received an email from that lady, even though we did not communicate regularly.  The rest is history.  I contacted her and she immediately answered, “Yes.”  I think she has a more willing spirit than I.  We asked a few other women and two more agreed to help.  Then I contacted the church.  It seemed like a good idea since we wanted to use their space.  They agreed.  We put a few notices in the bulletin and on February 15th, eighteen women showed up.  It ran for two hours and the feedback was very positive.  We scheduled four more sessions.  The next one for March 21st.  

As all of you know, the world has stopped turning.  We will not be gathering for a morning retreat or for lunch or to play.  We are all doing our best to follow the recent National guidelines for stopping the spread of the corona virus and yet, it seems even more important, more relevant to bring our intentions together and to invite the Holy to bless our lives, our country and the world.  With that in mind, I am presenting a @Home Retreat. As of this writing, there are about two dozen of us who will take an hour and a half to pray and to listen to the Divine.  I’m sharing the format in case anyone who reads this is interested in joining us.  If you know me personally, you are welcome to email me for more information, otherwise all you need to know is below.  

The agenda is below but I want to emphasize that it is only a model and it is not written in stone.  Please feel free to adjust it to your needs and perhaps the guidance of your guardian angel.  

It is very important to recognize that you cannot do this “wrong.”  If you finish early or late, that’s just fine.  If you decide to read something you prefer over the suggestions, that’s fine.  This is a time of NO JUDGEMENT.  It cannot be viewed as, “right or wrong,” “good or bad,” or “successful or unsuccessful.”  It is simply time you have carved out for yourself to develop a closer relationship with Our Lord, with the Divine.  It will be different for each person and that’s just fine.  

There is a great power in silence. 

Triangle Women’s Monthly Morning Retreat 

Home Program: Saturday 3/21/2020 9:30-11:00am

*Prepare your space:  Find an area where hopefully you will not be disturbed for your quiet time.  Perhaps you want a  blanket for yourself (or a teddy bear?). 

*Gather your supplies: Timer (preferably not a phone, try to make your space - media free), note paper and/or journal, pen.

*Create an “altar”: Put a few meaningful items out, include a candle.

*Opening Song - Your Choice, sing one or listen to one.

Lyrics for Amazing Grace:  

Amazing Grace, How sweet the sound

That saved a wretch like me

I once was lost, but now am found

T'was blind but now I see

T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear

And Grace, my fears relieved

How precious did that grace appear

The hour I first believed

Through many dangers, toils and snares

We have already come.

T'was grace that brought us safe thus far

And grace will lead us home

*Opening Prayers - The Sign of the Cross/Our Father/Hail Mary/Glory Be or your choice.

*Intention:  This is a reflective, healing time and we ask that it be filled with the love of the Holy Spirit, the care of Mother Mary and the guidance of all our guardian angels.  We are here to learn from one another and to support each other on our journey towards a closer, more intimate relationship with Our Lord.

*Write out a prayer request or a few and add them to your “altar.”

*Reflection - Think of one thing you’ve added or deleted from your life for Lent.  

*Scripture Reading - Lectio Divinia - Slowly read the following daily scripture three times.  Read the passage slowly and carefully.

        

       

Gospel for this day, March 21st:  LK 18:9-14

Jesus addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness

and despised everyone else.

“Two people went up to the temple area to pray;

one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector.

The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself,

‘O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity —

greedy, dishonest, adulterous — or even like this tax collector.

I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.’

But the tax collector stood off at a distance

and would not even raise his eyes to heaven

but beat his breast and prayed,

‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner.’

I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former;

for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled,

and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

*Journaling Time - What did you hear God sharing with you?  What do you want to share with God? (10-15 minutes)

*Centering Prayer - 10 to 20 (recommended) minutes of silent time (you decide.)

*Centering Prayer - Guidelines 

1. Sit comfortably.
2. Choose a sacred word on which to focus.
3. Set a timer.
4. Don’t judge, just observe.
5. Take a few breaths at the end to return to the present moment and to reflect on the experience.

*Closing Prayer - 

“My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think that I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it. Therefore will I trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.”  

Amen.

― Thomas Merton, Thoughts in Solitude

 *Sharing a Word Exercise - choose a word from your reading or your quiet time (your sacred word?) and share it here.  Feel free to share any other thoughts or insights you have gained from this sacred time.