DIRECTED RETREATS An experience of personal prayer based on Scripture. Daily spiritual direction. Atmosphere of prayerful quiet. Accommodations: 7 overnight retreatants Registration required WEEKEND RETREAT Mar 6-8, Apr 3-5, May 1-3 Begins 7 p.m. on Fri; concludes on Sun by 2 p.m. ($170/weekend; non-refundable deposit $70) WEEK-LONG RETREATS Jun 19-26 and Aug 7-14 Begins 7 p.m. on Fri, concludes by 11 a.m. on Fri. ($580/week; non-refundable deposit $100) Discount for entire week. ************************************************************* SACRED TIME, SACRED SPACE A personal, quiet day to enjoy God’s presence. Day begins with communal prayer. Mar 11, Apr 9, 10, May 13, Jun 11, Jul 8, Aug 5 9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Bring bag lunch ($20-$30 as you are able) Arrangements for private retreats made individually — $85 per night PRAY UNTIL SOMETHING HAPPENS We have prayed and prayed. If we are going to be honest, sometimes we can feel our prayers have been answered and sometimes we can feel that God is not hearing us or that we are not praying in the best way. Prayer is always powerful, yet most of the work is done behind the scenes and we can't really understand what's going on or how we are suppose to be praying. Is there really a certain way to pray that can give us the best results? What do we do with unanswered prayers that can fracture our faith? How do we know what is God's will vs ours? These questions and more will explored and "answered". Light supper included. Wed, Apr 22, 5:30-9 p.m. ($50-$60 as you are able) Presenter: Dr. Ginger Grancagnolo Ginger is a dynamic lecturer, author and private counselor. Forty years experience in the fields of education, psychology and theology has earned her many degrees and a sound practical approach in helping others towards self-assertion. The driving purpose and focus in all of Ginger’s work is to release the FEAR that blocks and halts our TRUE ability to SUCCEED! She uses simple tools that have served thousands of her clients to break free from these painful traps and become who they were intended to be. PROGRAM OFFERINGS (Registration Required) MARCH GRIEF RECOVERY Learning a process to deal with grief Gentle 4-step experiential process to resolve the grief caused by loss. Sun, Mar 1, 1-5:30 p.m. ($50–$60 as you are able) Facilitator: Mary Jo Kearns, RSM IN CHRIST ALONE: The Celtic Way Discover 10 prayerful practices that are core to Celtic spirituality. What makes Celtic Christian Spirituality special? Come experience the ways that great Celtic Christians sought God and how these practices can bring us to God today. Wed, Mar 11, 7-9 p.m. ($20-$30 as you are able) Presenter: Eileen P. Smith, RSM SPIRITUAL AWAKENING - Contemplatives in Action: Modern Day Discipleship Lent is a season of renewal and conversion. Come and learn about modern day discipleship. The proper balance of prayer, discernment and action is essential for following Jesus today. Why not consider becoming a contemplative as your Lenten Resolution? Lunch is included. Sat, Mar 14, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. ($50-$60 as you are able) Presenter: Jim Choma Jim is the VP for Catholic Development Office for St. Peter’s Healthcare System. He has an M.A. in Christian Spirituality, M.Div. in Pastoral Ministry & certifications in spiritual direction & retreats. THE BURDEN OF TRUTH Is it more loving to lie to someone or tell them the truth? Who carries the burden of an illness? Join us as we watch the movie The Farewell and discuss these and other questions. Movie is in English as well as subtitles. Wed, Mar 25, 6:45-9:15 p.m. ($20-$30 as you are able) Presenter: Laura M. Arvin, OP APRIL THE SACRED POWER OF THE DRUM Exposure to drumming may cause sudden outbursts of joy, happiness, energy, creativity, awareness and spontaneous healing! Come, experience The Drum! Wed, Apr 29, 7-9 p.m. ($20–$30 as you are able) Presenter: Barbara Woodzell Mercy Associate and Third Order Carmelite, Barbara is a musical therapist who works with Seniors & Special Needs Children using sound healing on drums & chants. MAY SPIRITUAL AWAKENING - Pentecost Morning Reflections Pentecost celebrates the descent of the Holy Spirit on the disciples of Jesus after his Ascension. Once the disciples experienced this grace, they became missionary disciples, spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ to the ends of the world. By virtue of baptism, we are all missionary disciples. Every Christian is challenged to engage in evangelization. What does this mean for us, here and now, in 2020? Come and explore the wisdom of Pope Francis’ exhortation, The Joy of the Gospel. Sat, May 30, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. ($35-$45 as you are able) Presenter: Jim Choma Jim is the VP for Catholic Development Office for St. Peter’s Healthcare System. He has an M.A. in Christian Spirituality, M.Div. in Pastoral Ministry & certifications in spiritual direction & retreats. JUNE ICON GAZING In the spiritual practice of icon gazing, we turn our focus to icons as a method of prayer or meditation. This practice and the icons come to us from the Byzantine Orthodox Rite. When praying with icons, we pay attention to what stirs within us. An icon is a window into heaven through which we see the spiritual reality of the one depicted. Wed, Jun 3, 7-9 p.m. ($20-$30 as you are able) Presenter: G. Edwin Reitter Ed is a spiritual director and supervisor of spiritual directors, has given numerous retreats and been involved in many parish-based ministries. IN THE BEGINNING WAS THE WORD From Adam and Eve to Martha and Mary, artists have always found inspiration in biblical figures inhabiting both the Old and New Testaments. In this lively, interactive workshop, you’ll do likewise. Using her own published poems as springboards, Carolyn will offer insights into how to write about biblical personalities using their own voices as well as your own. You’ll have ample time to write about those characters who speak to–and maybe even – through you. Lunch is included. Sat, Jun 27, 9 a.m.–3p.m. ($50-$60 as you are able) Presenter: Dr. Carolyn Martin Carolyn is a former teacher at Mount St. Mary Academy and Georgian Court University. Her poems and book reviews have appeared in publications throughout North America and the UK. REGISTRATION FORM Registration is required for all programs and retreats. Please enclose your non-refundable deposit and mail to: Mount Saint Mary House of Prayer 1651 US Highway 22 Watchung, NJ 07069-6587 908-753-2091 ____________________________________ Name ____________________________________ Address ____________________________________ City ____________________________________ State Zip (______)_____________________________ Telephone ____________________________________ E-mail ____________________________________ Program Title/Retreat ____________________________________ Date (s) ____________________________________ Deposit Amount Enclosed ____________________________________ Any Special Needs? BOOK OF THE MONTH ($20-$30/session as you are able) 1 p.m.-2:30 p.m. on the following Fridays: Mar 13: “Anam Cara: A Book of Celtic Wisdom” by John O’Donohue May 8: “Building a Bridge: How to Show Respect and Welcome to LGBT People in Our Church" by Fr. James Martin, SJ June 12: “Holy Envy: Finding God in the Faith of Others” by Barbara Brown Taylor MAN to MAN Men have unique roles in life… husbands, fathers, grandfathers, the single life and religious life… We’re pushed and pulled in a thousand directions by responsibilities, stress, loss and joys. Where can we find time to reflect on the loss and gain of our lives? For all men-young, old and in between. Join our group over coffee or tea for life-affirming discussions and prayer to find God in our lives and to make a difference in our own worlds. 4th Tuesday monthly: Mar 24, Apr 28, May 26, Jun 23, Jul 28 and Aug 25 7-8:30 p.m. ⚫ Free Will Offering JULY TOO HOT TO HANDLE At the end of the 7 th day, God looked back and loved His developing Creation, making us co-creators and stewards. Years of our abuse of Planet Earth are bring- ing us to the brink of irreversible destruction caused by climate change and its effects. Everyone of us is called to respond to this problem individually and socially. Perhaps the first step is to start loving our gift of Earth as God loved it. Come for an evening to discuss this! Wed, Jul 8, 7-9 p.m. ($20-$30 as you are able) Presenter: Jerry McKenna Jerry is an Environmental Scientist & Teacher & long time volunteer at the House of Prayer. POWER TOOLS FOR LIFE Jesus turns our human understanding of power upside down. In order to be strong, we must be weak. The last shall be first and the first shall be last. Let the little children come to me. Blessed are the poor, the meek… Jesus wants us to use our God-given power, but how? How do we use our power when we go through trials? What are the power tools Jesus has given us to build the Kingdom here on Earth? We will explore Bible passages to discern the meaning of power and how we are specifically empowered by prayer, confession, acts of service, grace, hope and love. Lunch is included. Sat, Jul 25, 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. ($50-$60 as you are able) Presenter: Connie Palmer Connie holds a LCSW degree & is the Clinical/Training Director for IMAGINE, a Center for Coping with Loss. AUGUST PRAYER PLAYLIST: PRAYING WITH MUSIC Join us for an evening of listening to God’s message in music. Songs are a wonderful inspiration for prayer; especially music not used in formal worship settings. Wed, Aug 5, 7-9 p.m. ($20-$30 as you are able) Presenter: Laura M. Arvin, OP GRIEF RECOVERY Sun, Aug 16, 1-5:30 p.m. ($50-$60 as you are able) Facilitator: Mary Jo Kearns, RSM A TWEET TO GOD: PRAYER IN THE BIBLE The topic of prayer has been discussed in various ways throughout the centuries. Prayer has many forms, but what exactly is it? This session will look into the meaning of prayer from a biblical perspective and some of the ways to pray in our 21st century busy lives. Sat., Aug 29, 9:30 a.m.-Noon ($25-$35 as you are able) Presenter: Judith Schubert, RSM Judith is Professor of Religious Studies & Theology at Georgian Court Univ. She has written several articles and “101Quesons & Answers on Women in the New Testament”. For your convenience, retreat and program registration payments and donations can be made online at our website at www.msmhope.org Designer Pocketbook Bingo Fundraiser ******************************* Designer Pocketbooks 50/50 Raffle Gift Basket Raffles ******************************* FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2020