MYSTIC OF THE MONTH: The Mysticism of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin…  

MYSTIC OF THE MONTH:
The Mysticism of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin…
Join us at the Spiritual Renewal Center on Thursday, February 16 at 7 p.m., when Jesuit Don Maldari will present our next MYSTIC OF THE MONTH lecture. His subject is “The Mysticism of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin.” Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, S.J. (1881-1955) was both a paleontologist and a mystic. He combined his perception of the validity of Darwin’s theory of evolution with his faith in the creative action of God.

Teilhard offers Christians a challenging and exciting synthesis of faith and reason when he describes the universe as a “divine milieu.” He sees God as drawing the universe to fulfillment through evolution. Humanity participates in this evolution, and God invites us to shape the future through our response to the divine vocation to holiness made manifest in Jesus. We alone of all species can sin, but God helps us to transcend to heaven, to what Teilhard calls the Omega Point, through our active response in faith to the Incarnation and the Paschal Mystery. Teilhard challenges humanity to participate actively in the divine process of evolution in everyday life, and to accept passively the transformation of death and resurrection.

Our presenter Don Maldari is a professor in the religious studies department at LeMoyne College. His presentations are both substantive and inspiring, and we do hope you will be able to come and learn from him about one of the most influential mystics of the twentieth century. We ask $20. fee, or whatever you can afford. Contact the Center to make your reservation!

ABOUNDING GRACE – Our 2012 Twenty-four Hour Retreat...  

ABOUNDING GRACE – Our 2012 Twenty-four Hour Retreat...

We know what it can be like – we’re in the middle of an otherwise ordinary or routine life experience when suddenly the depth dimension of reality opens before us and we know the Presence of God, powerful and real, in that experience. Or a life-changing insight or thought is given to us, seemingly coming from nowhere, and we recognize the activity of the Spirit of Love within us. Christian faith speaks of such moments as manifestations of Grace, and this abounding Grace of God is the theme for this year’s Twenty-four Hour Retreat.

The retreat will be held at beautiful Stella Maris Retreat Center in Skaneateles, N.Y. on March 2 – 3. The retreat opens on Friday evening at 7 p.m. and closes at 7 p.m. on Saturday. Staff members of the Spiritual Renewal Center will provide talks for your reflection, and optional spiritual direction time.

This rich time away with God also includes communal and private prayer time and a Eucharistic liturgy. We ask $125 for the retreat. A non-refundable registration fee of $25 will hold your place; the balance of $90 may be paid at the door.

March 15 – “JOHN OF THE CROSS AND TERESA OF AVILA: A MYSTICISM FOR EVERYDAY LIFE”  

Mystic of the Month Series – March & April
Since it began last September, our “Mystic of the Month” series has been providing outstanding presentations to very pleased audiences here at the Spiritual Renewal Center! Join us for these next two presentations in our lineup:
March 15 – “JOHN OF THE CROSS AND TERESA OF AVILA: A MYSTICISM FOR EVERYDAY LIFE”
Here’s a unique opportunity to learn about two of the greatest mystics of the Christian tradition from a man who grew up where these saints lived and taught. We’re so pleased to be bringing Dr. Cristóbal Serrán-Pagán y Fuentes, Assistant Professor of Philosophy and Religious Studies at Valdosta State University in Georgia, to the Spiritual Renewal Center for this lecture!
Cristóbal was born in Ceuta in northern Africa and raised in Granada, Spain. He received his Ph.D in Religious Studies from Boston University, where he wrote his doctoral dissertation on St. John of the Cross.
In this presentation, Cristóbal will examine the Carmelite ideal of the mixed life, which includes both the contemplative and the active dimensions. Drawing on the insights of John and Teresa, he will set forth a holistic model of how we might integrate these two dimensions in our own lives as Christians today. He will highlight their mystical vision that a healthy life of prayer is based on good works when every act is performed for the greater glory of God. When we live thus, everything we do becomes a prayer, including our work.
Center director Jim Krisher heard Cristóbal speak at the International Thomas Merton Society conference in Chicago, and was very impressed with his knowledge and his enthusiasm for his subject. We know you too will be glad for this opportunity to learn about the Spanish mystics from a great Spanish scholar and teacher!

Women’s Spiritual Direction Group...  

The women’s spiritual direction group will meet on January 19 and February 16 from 7 – 8:30 p.m. at the Center. A fee of $10 per session is requested. Call Kathy Papa at 457-6922, or the Center at 472-6546 to let us know of your interest, or if you have any questions.

Spiritual Direction at the Center  

Spiritual direction is an ancient ministry in the community of faith, geared to helping a person grow in their relationship with God. Here at the Spiritual Renewal Center, we have a gifted staff of men and women who are trained in this ministry, and experienced. Generally, spiritual direction is a long-term, open-ended relationship, but we are happy to meet with you for one session or just a few sessions if there’s something going on in your life that you would like to discuss from a spiritual perspective. If you would like to meet with one of our directors, contact the Center for more information.

Contemplative Prayer Group…  

Need some solitude after the holidays? We have a contemplative prayer group that meets once a week at the Spiritual Renewal Center, every Wednesday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. There is no need to call ahead or register. Simply come and pray.

Catch the Spirit…  

Come join our weekly bible study group, Catch the Spirit! This group meets each week to discuss the lectionary readings for the following Sunday. Sr. Marise May will be leading the group. No registration necessary – just come on Tuesday mornings from 10 to 11:30 a.m. to the Spiritual Renewal Center. There is no fee for this study, and it’s open to everyone.

Center Hours…  

Regular Center hours resume after Labor Day. We will be open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with extended hours to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday. Please stop in, visit our extensive lending library, out fair trade gift shop or just find a quiet space to relax with a cup of tea or coffee.

Hand to Hand Gift Shop…  

We had a great Holiday season in the Hand to Hand Gift Shop and we are grateful to those people who support our Fair Trade artisans and the center by shopping here. Judy Carr, our gift shop manager, said business has been brisk and outside sales have been outstanding this season. We are grateful to Immaculate Conception in Fayetteville, St. Augustine’s in Baldwinsville and St. Lucy’s in Syracuse for hosting the shop. Judy also took the shop to a volunteer celebration at the Burnet Park Zoo. Thanks to all who arranged for these sales. They are so important to the future of Fair Trade in our area. If your community might be interested in hosting a sale, please call the center and leave a message for Judy.

We will be out with some great new Spring merchandise early in March so watch for that! In the meantime, some great shopping to be had at the Hand to Hand so stop in if you are looking for a unique and special item. Thanks again for shopping at the store and your support of the Center.

Prayer Line Ministry…  

We receive many requests for prayer and pass them on to our two prayer lines. We are always looking for more people to join either our telephone or our email prayer lines. We’d be happy to welcome your participation in this ministry - contact the Center at 472-6546 for more information.

Thank you!!!  

We are so grateful to the many people who have supported the work of the Spiritual Renewal Center through this past year – the many good folks whose names are listed on the insert in this newsletter, as well as those who have helped in diverse and hidden ways to keep this ministry afloat!

Your contributions have helped us through yet another year, a year that has seen ever increasing numbers of people benefitting from our services and programs. Yet our struggles to fund this good work continue and grow harder as we move into the future, and we are totally dependent on your financial support to bring us through this next year of 2012. So once again we beg your support - please, use the enclosed envelopes to send your gift to the Spiritual Renewal Center.

Thank you!

A Message from Pam Kelsey-Gossard...  

Dear friends,

My journey with the Spiritual Renewal Center began several years ago one Sunday when I heard the Pastor of my church talk about spiritual direction. I was intrigued and after asking him more about it, made a call to get started. This one phone call has changed my life! I began spiritual direction and was amazed at how my relationship with God grew while exploring my spirituality. This led to my director suggesting (for 2 years!) that I would benefit from making the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius retreat. When I finally made the Exercises, I was again amazed at how my relationship with God grew. This led to my becoming a prayer guide for the Exercises. During that process, I felt called to do the Mentoring Program for Spiritual Directors. I have completed the program and am now on the staff at the Center. I am also in my third year of serving on the Board of Trustees.


Who would have thought that such life changing events could happen from hearing one person talk about spiritual direction! Obviously, God had more in store for me. I am so very grateful for all of the experiences that I have participated in at the Center as well as the many people who have helped shape me and supported me as I grew. I am not aware of any other place in this area that offers this kind of spiritual development, support and opportunity to grow closer to God.

God is continually at work at the Spiritual Renewal Center. So many people have benefited from the services and encounters provided. If you have been one of the lucky persons to have your own experience of growing closer to God through the Center, I hope you will consider supporting the Center with your generosity. Please pray about how you can help. This little corner of God’s world needs you.

Peace be with you,
Pam Kelsey-Gossard

Audio Book  

Center director Jim Krisher’s audio book SPIRITUAL SURRENDER, YIELDING YOURSELF TO A LOVING GOD is available at the Center and can be purchased online at our website: www.spiritualrenewalcenter.com

Library additions...  

GOD'S VOICE WITHIN by Mark Thibodeaux; THE INTERIOR CASTLE (STUDY EDITION) by St. Teresa of Avila; THE EMERGENT CHRIST by Ilia Delio; OUT OF THE SHADOWS by Patrick Carnes; THOMAS MERTON: A LIFE IN LETTERS by William Shannon and Christine Bochen; THE INNER EXPERIENCE: NOTES ON CONTEMPLATION by Thomas Merton; THE EXAMEN PRAYER: IGNATIAN WISDOM FOR OUR LIVES TODAY by Timothy Gallagher; GATEWAY TO RESURRECTION by Maria Boulding, and many more!

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