“Come, Rejoice with Us” — March 9, 2024

Co-led with Nancy Hendricks.

Mid-way through the penitential season of Lent comes a bright spot of hope and joy: the 4th Sunday of Lent, Laetare Sunday.  The liturgical color of the day — rose — shines like a beacon against the unrelenting purple of Lent, a visual sign to the faithful that Easter is within our sight.

Named for the Latin word for “rejoice”, Laetare Sunday helps us remember God’s grace, mercy and unconditional love.  The day gives new energy to our traditional Lenten practices of prayer, fasting and almsgiving, and sharpens our focus on how to live in right relationship with God and others.

Yes, Christ’s suffering, crucifixion and death loom ahead of us.  But Laetare Sunday reminds us that from the tragedy of the Passion arises the reality of Christ’s Resurrection, with the assurance that we all share in that miraculous gift of eternal life and light.  With our faith thus strengthened, we can resume our Lenten observances with renewed commitment. 

Please join us for a special gathering to celebrate with words, art and music the joyful anticipation of Resurrected life.  Our time together will be guided by Susan Black and Nancy Hendricks, Oblates and experienced Shalom at the Monastery retreat leaders.

“My Oldest Friend”

I have known my oldest friend since both she and I were born — since even before that, because who knows what kind of consciousness exists in the womb.

My friend has never left me, though I have often neglected her.  Or ignored her.  Or worse, denied her.  But we have never truly separated; we always come back together, comfortably or not.

My friend and I know the best and the worst of each other.  We also know the mediocrity of each other.  Sometimes this knowledge is just fine, other times it is so disappointing.

Sometimes my friend and I fight.  There have been long stretches of time when we do not understand each other.  She pulls one way; I want to go the other way.  We each want to be how we want to be, regardless of the other.

Sometimes my friend criticizes me or tells me things that I don’t care to hear or learn about myself.  In fairness, I have also done this to her.  This can be unpleasant.

Often my friend enlightens me.  She tells me things I didn’t know but, as soon as she tells me, I know that I had wanted to know.  Aha moments, for sure!!  She often seems to know what I am searching for, before I do.

I try hard to protect my friend.  I don’t want anyone to hurt her.  I want to be safe.  Sometimes this chafes her.  She wants to be free.  She wants to be vulnerable.

Sometimes I try to hide my friend.  Sometimes I am ashamed of her.  She can be a fuddy-duddy, “not cool”.  She can be embarrassing.  She tries to make me do things, say things, that I might not want to or be ready for.

Usually, I like my friend.  She’s smart, sometimes funny, sensitive, perceptive, creative, spiritual.  I want her to like me back.  I think she does, and don’t want to do anything that would change her mind about me.

And then there are times when I really don’t like my friend at all …

But do you know what really counts?  The only thing that does count?  That I love my friend, and my friend loves me.  Not just because Jesus tells us to love one another.  But because we are to love the other “as yourself”.  Love your neighbor as youself.  

Yes, my oldest friend and I are one and the same — me, myself and I.

“Finding Treasure in Ancient Practices: Walking the Labyrinth and Making Mandalas” — December 2, 2023

The retreat will be held again on October 5, 2024.

What treasure do we seek in our lives, and where can it be found?

As people of faith, we seek God, the ultimate treasure.  And our faith tells us that God can always be found, anywhere and everywhere, including within ourselves. “Seek and you shall find,” the Gospel assures us.

The search can be daunting!  We often shy away from the kind of deep introspection that can lead to true self-knowledge and reveal God’s intimate presence.  But remember that the Gospel also assures us: “Do not be afraid.” 

In this retreat, you will learn about two time-honored practices known for their ability to bring us closer to God.  You will discover how to fold these meditative practices into your lives, gently and easily.  You will enjoy time spent walking the Monastery’s labyrinth (accessible alternatives available), making your own mandalas (all materials supplied) and sharing new experiences with others also seeking to find the treasure that is God. 

“The Virtue of Holy Surprise — What It Means for Your Practice of Joy” — June 24, 2023

Whether or not you “like” surprises, have you ever stopped to consider their place in your spiritual life?  Since all things come from God, surprises are potential sources of holiness. Surprises can lead to a keener awareness of God’s presence, deeper self-knowledge and a greater appreciation for the world.  And if you are committed to living joyfully, cultivating “holy surprise” as a virtue can be a source of invaluable support for your practice.   

This retreat will explore the twinned natures of surprise and joy, and the power they hold to reveal God’s truth, beauty and goodness.  Through discussion, reflection, art and writing experiences, prayer, music, other activities and quiet time, participants will learn how surprise and joy can transform … everything.  2 Corinthians 5:17-18: “So whoever is in Christ is a new creation: the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come.  And all this is from God …”.

“Enter the New Year with Joy” — January 7, 2023

So many challenges exist in our individual and personal circumstances, and within our families, our communities, our state, our country, our world.

How can women and men of faith enter 2023 with joy and thus know God’s presence?

How can we empower ourselves to live with joy?  

How can we “rejoice always”, as St. Paul urges?

Is it even right and correct to live joyfully, given the “signs of the times” that we face?

This retreat is designed to help answer these questions, and more.  Through discussion, reflection, art and writing experiences, prayer, music, other activities and quiet time, participants will learn how to increase their ability to live in God-given joy — and gain confidence in the power of individual personal joy to transform … everything.  As St. Mother Teresa said, “I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.” 

“Having thought it over …”

After a long period of discernment, I have decided to stop posting examples of my artwork. Not to fear! I haven’t stopped making art. That would be impossible, as making art is as vital to me as breathing. But displaying my artwork, even in the friendly environment of my own website, has become a distraction. Instead, I want to focus on the journey, not the destination; the process, not the outcome. I want to return to, and revel in, the sheer child-like pleasure of … just doing it*.

I may change my mind every now and then, and post new images, or I may eventually return to a robust schedule of posting. Whichever, know that it’s all good, that all is well. And thank you for caring. (*Apologies to Nike.)