When February Is Upon Us
February can feel like the LONGEST MONTH OF THE YEAR, yes? We know it’s the shortest, but… the holidays are past, the days have long seen more dark and gray than light, it’s cold, and perhaps we’re a little claustrophobic as we’re indoors more than out. Even the poets use descriptors such as dire, month of despair, frozen, descending, dusk to convey their struggle with the winter months. Yikes!
We all know there are life seasons and human experiences that feel a lot like a long February that does not seem to end. Can these be opportunities and invitations? As we live our “Februaries,” how do we hold them with gentleness, curiosity, and compassion…but also ‘evangelize’ these problem days (as Pope Francis put it years ago)? This Friends Day of Prayer will invite us to actively enter our human experience with hope — even February times — because of what is really real, truly true — about God, us, life. Guided by Joanne Cahoon.
All are welcome to attend the Friends Day of Prayer retreats, held monthly on the first Wednesday of the month. It is not required to attend every month, so register for one or more sessions as your schedule allows. While the presenters and topics vary, each Friends Day of Prayer typically includes pastries and conversation at 9:30am, a morning presentation at 10am, an optional Mass, a delicious lunch, short periods of free time to enjoy the grounds or shop in the bookstore, and an afternoon presentation.
Joanne Cahoon, D.Min. holds a bachelor’s degree in Religious Studies, master’s degree in Religion/Pastoral Ministry, graduate certificates in spiritual direction and in spirituality studies, and a Doctor of Ministry degree from the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, where her specialization was spirituality and practical theology. Along the way, Joanne has taught in elementary, secondary, undergraduate, and graduate school settings. She has also served as youth minister, high school campus minister, consultant, writer, national trainer, diocesan staff member, staff member of a graduate school, spiritual director, facilitator of retreats, and professional coach. Joanne has welcomed and worked with many individuals and groups, serving them as they listen for God’s invitations in their personal and corporate lives. She finds it a privilege to be involved in spiritual and human formation — bringing deep listening, presence, creativity, and a commitment to her own ongoing formation to her work.