retreat presenter

February 20, 2024

New Year, New Beginnings

Whether your new year is truly ‘new’ or just a repetition of the ‘old’ depends very much on you. Our lives and our work are a constant series of endings and new beginnings. Some of our endings come suddenly or unexpectedly. Others are planned and can come more gradually. Some are happy. Some are sad. But each ending gives us the opportunity for a new beginning.     Ignatian spirituality is grounded in the conviction that God is active in our world. As the…

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New year's eve retreat
September 1, 2023

Catching up to the curve of our own transformation

Author and retreat presenter, Mary DeTurris Poust, shares another thought-provoking reflection with us as she anticipated her youngest child leaving home for college. Are you transforming with life changes or ending up as collateral damage? Share with us. Catching up to the curve of our own transformation The poet David Whyte says that most people are “living four or five years behind the curve of their own transformation,” refusing to accept a new season of life or a change that is occurring…

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Mary DeTurris Poust
August 18, 2023

Embracing Balance

Balance is a great word. It’s one of those words we love to hear but may not always know how to embrace. Wonderful concept, difficult to achieve, never ending process. Webster tells us balance is an even distribution and general harmony between parts. Spirituality teaches us balance is allowing time for grief and gratitude, certainty and unknown, holding on and letting go. One way to achieve better balance is through community. In community we think beyond self and deepen what…

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balance retreat
August 18, 2023

Spring Tree Speak Mini-Retreat

Tree Speak: Learning and Reverencing the Life, Language, and Lessons of Trees  “But we shouldn't be concerned about trees purely for material reasons, we should also care about them because of the little puzzles and wonders they present us with. Under the canopy of the trees, daily dramas and moving love stories are played out. Here is the last remaining piece of Nature, right on our doorstep, where adventures are to be experienced and secrets discovered. And who knows, perhaps…

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Spring Tree Speak
August 11, 2023

Paddling past our fears

Today's blog comes from writer and retreat presenter, Mary DeTurris Poust. (Click here to read about her upcoming retreat at our Center that you won't want to miss!) She has a way with words and we always enjoy her shared posts that tie in lessons from nature. In this reflection, she opens up about something that was blocking her from a new activity and how she overcame it though. Does it resonate with you? Are you working on moving past…

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Mary DeTurris Poust
June 21, 2023

Called to Make Connections

Andrea Springer, frequent retreat presenter at the Center, writes today's blog. She inspires us to connect to others though a few wise teachers. Will you be more conscious of the interactions you have with others today after reading this? Share with us! Be a lamp or a lifeboat or a ladder. Help someone’s soul heal. Walk out of your house like a shepherd. ~ Rumi This quote by 13th century poet Rumi is a reminder for me to pay attention…

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Andrea Springer
May 21, 2023

Visio Divina: seeing with the eyes of love

Writer and retreat presenter, Mary DeTurris Poust, offered her latest blog for us to share too. It's a great reminder to notice the simply joys and miracles in life, especially during this month that tends to be so busy. So, let's take a few deep breaths and sit with this reflection in a quiet place. What everyday wonders will you notice today? Comment and share. Visio Divina: seeing with the eyes of love One warm-and-sunny weekday recently, I took advantage…

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Visio Divina turtles
September 25, 2022

We all need Sabbath: Why quiet isn’t “quitting”

Mary DeTurris Poust shares a recent blog with us today. We're thrilled to have Mary back on our schedule for next year and will share those details in the coming months. Do you find yourself resisting quiet times? Let's read Mary's thoughts about how we can embrace a time for Sabbath. We all need Sabbath: Why quiet isn’t “quitting” As I sat in my beach chair late last month, toes in the sand and eyes fixed on an endless horizon…

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spiritual life
September 2, 2022

The Find Art of Small Talk

Fr. Michael Schleupner, a favorite retreat presenter and spiritual director at our Center, offered the follow as a homily last Sunday. Let's see what we can learn from his insight about small talk and humility. On a sabbath Jesus went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees, and the people there were observing him carefully. He told a parable to those who had been invited, noticing how they were choosing the places of honor at the…

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Fr. Michael Schleupner
June 1, 2022

Fifty Years

Today's reflection is another by Fr. Michael Schleupner, which he shared last week as he celebrated his 50th jubilee! Let's read about how he tied together readings from the gospel for his role as a priest and how we can use this within our own communities. We look forward to seeing more of Fr. Michael when he's here for our July and August Directed Retreats, serving as a spiritual director. Please comment below to congratulate Fr. Michael on an amazing…

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Spirit, Holy Spirit, spirituality during pandemic