RSS orSo Much In Bud
Greetings from Nazareth!
As we have journeyed through April and much of May we have been graced by not only the beauty of nature but the joy of family events, community events and civic activities. Mothers Day and Derby Day here in Kentucky provide us with times of rejoicing, remembering and cherishing loved ones, loved traditions and great memories. So much is in bud. Nature flings it toward us, the trees, the flowers, the warmth and the rain. Let us not forget so much is in bud within us, relationships, memories held, memories to be formed. What inklings, what buds are within you? Can you notice?
Paula D'Arcy, an internationally known author and retreat presenter will be with us July 23 - 25, 2010 to lead us through reflection upon the Great Lessons from the Journey. I am so excited to have Paula with us and invite you to join us for this special weekend. As we notice what lessons are in bud for us.
The summer also holds other retreat opportunities. If you are interested in the arts, I invite you to our Artist Retreat June 13 - 19. Come drum, paint and tell stories. This is a time to let your inner self out! Come and play!
More recently I have been reading Joan Chittister's book Welcome to the Wisdom of the World in which she shares spiritual insights from five religious traditions. From the traditions of the monastics of the desert Joan asks the question "What does it take to put excitement back into life?" From exploring this question she reflects, "Sometimes the changes are meant not so much to change my life as to stir my soul." (115) What stirrings, what buds are moving about within you?
What does it take to stir your soul? Have you tried a walk in the garden, the noticing of a flower or a tree. How about a nice afternoon nap? For many reading a good book, perhaps one on meditation or one on service will stir the soul. I think if we simply develop the practice of noticing so much will bud forth for us. Do we really notice life, life within and among us, life around us? There is so much gift in the unfolding of God's creative act of love within the universe, within a tiny cell, within the tiny voice in one's heart. Do we notice? Can we take a moment to take a breath and simply notice?
To notice, we may need to slow down. We may need to value ourselves. We may need some time apart. Don't miss the gift of now.
So I invite you to join us here at Nazareth Retreat Center for a day, a weekend or longer. Come walk our grounds, visit with us and notice the gift of now.
Welcome to Spring!
Welcome to Spring! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!Spring is abounding all around us here at Nazareth Retreat Center. Our campus is blossoming forth with so many beautiful and varied colors each proclaiming the creativeness of our God.
The Triduum and Easter Liturgies here at Nazareth were so sacred. Not only were the Sisters who live here with us but so many friends, family and associates celebrated with us. We welcome so many families from the surrounding areas. Our Congregation consisted of such diversity in age from months old to almost 100 years old and diverse ethnic backgrounds. The bells rang out and voices sang...Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
The past months have been very busy ones for us here at Nazareth Retreat Center. We have welcomed groups from parishes and congregations of diverse denominations. People from schools ranging from grade schools through high school and college have joined us for days and weekends of retreat and reflection. We were particularly happy to welcome the students from Marquette University in Milwaukee for a day as they were on their Spring Break Service Trip...such inspiring young adults.
The spring and summer hold a variety of offerings for retreat/reflection experiences. Sisters Emily Nabholz,SCN and Mary Sue Kennedy, O.P. will be giving a retreat on Easter Blessings....the Wisdom Years. As well, we have directed retreats for women and men coming up in May and July. For those of you with an artistic bent, we will have an Artist Retreat in June.
We are so happy to welcome to our retreat center the international author and presenter Paula D'Arcy for the weekend of July 23- 25.
Please see our website for further information and do come join us for your own time apart.
If you are in need of finding a time and space in which to explore God's presence in your everyday life, or simply need someone to listen as you speak the whisperings of your heart please contact me here at Nazareth Retreat Center. You are so welcome.
The Triduum and Easter Liturgies here at Nazareth were so sacred. Not only were the Sisters who live here with us but so many friends, family and associates celebrated with us. We welcome so many families from the surrounding areas. Our Congregation consisted of such diversity in age from months old to almost 100 years old and diverse ethnic backgrounds. The bells rang out and voices sang...Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
The past months have been very busy ones for us here at Nazareth Retreat Center. We have welcomed groups from parishes and congregations of diverse denominations. People from schools ranging from grade schools through high school and college have joined us for days and weekends of retreat and reflection. We were particularly happy to welcome the students from Marquette University in Milwaukee for a day as they were on their Spring Break Service Trip...such inspiring young adults.
The spring and summer hold a variety of offerings for retreat/reflection experiences. Sisters Emily Nabholz,SCN and Mary Sue Kennedy, O.P. will be giving a retreat on Easter Blessings....the Wisdom Years. As well, we have directed retreats for women and men coming up in May and July. For those of you with an artistic bent, we will have an Artist Retreat in June.
We are so happy to welcome to our retreat center the international author and presenter Paula D'Arcy for the weekend of July 23- 25.
Please see our website for further information and do come join us for your own time apart.
If you are in need of finding a time and space in which to explore God's presence in your everyday life, or simply need someone to listen as you speak the whisperings of your heart please contact me here at Nazareth Retreat Center. You are so welcome.
So, as we move into Spring and all its glory and the Summer ahead we reflect on the graciousness of our Creator God who so loved the world to create,embrace and inspire us with God's manifestations of Love. Remember to notice...
Peace and many blessings,
Sharon, scn
