Oldenburg Franciscan Center Programs for 2009

Evensong:
scripture/Taize Music/Silence
Come and rest awhile.
This one-hour interfaith prayer service meets every second Sunday of the month. You will enjoy the gentle Taize format of simple melodies, scripture readings and quiet meditation.
May 10, Aug. 9, Sept. 13, and Oct. 11, 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.     Free and Open to the Public

Men's Spirituality
Men will gather to discuss male spirituality
What is a healthy man's spirituality? What is available to assist men in developing a deeper spirituality? We will focus on the writings from variou authors such as Richard Rohr, OFM. There will be guest speakers. Participants will share experiences of prayer and seeing God in the everydayness of their lives. Bring a friend!
Fr. Carl Hawver, OFM is the Chaplain for the Sisters of St. Francis.
Monday, May 11, Sept, 12, and Oct. 12, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.                Free-will Offering

Coffee Talk - After Sunday Liturgy
Forgiveness: Seventy times Seven
We will share our experiences of learning how to grow in the gift of forgiveness and reflect on the misunderstandings and obstacles to the way of forgiveness. Our focus will be on the great gift of God's forgiveness.
S. Norma Rocklage, OSF, is a Spiitual Director, Retreat Director and Workshop Presenter. She serves as the Executive Director of Formation and Education at Marian College.
Sunday, August 2, 10:45 a.m. - Noon - Meet in the convent Chapel after the 9:30 Liturgy
$15 is the Recommended Donation - Includes coffee and Breakfast pastry

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Spirituality For the Second Half of Life
Maturing with Grace
We will meet God in new ways as we lean into our wisdom years. We will learn how to live with less self-importance and less control as we trust more in God's love. Our Spirituality in our later years can be dynamic and exhilarating!
S. Olga Wittekind, OSF, is a retreta director, spiritual director and workshop presenter. She is a psychologist and Jungian analyst.
Saturday, June 20    9:00 - 11:30 A.M.           $15

Summer Celebration
A Way of At-One-Moment - "Atonement"
Join us for a day of reflection on Care of Creation and take a meditative walk considering the effects on the Earth from humanity's heavy footprint. Find your own "recovery path" to a vibrant Earth community.
S. Clare Whalen, OSF, is a deep ecologist involved in local food production as a director of an agricultural cooperative. She has been involved with Michaela Farm since 1993.
Satruday, July 18      9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.          $40 Includes Lunch

Art & Meditation
Journeying to the soul Through Journaling in Image & Word
Combining meditation with our created images and our written words, we can come to a deeper understanding of who we are in our relationship with God, self, others and creation. We will learn the steps of Art-Journaling, pray with our spiritual journeys, and share and reverence the experience with others.
Laurel Simons, MA is a wife, mother and grandmother who has her BS in art therapy, and her Master's degree in art with an emphasis in spirituality. Laurel is a spiritual leader director and meditation teacher. She has facilitated numerous "Art as Meditation" reflections in retreat settings and has taught workshops on journaling in image word.
Saturday, August 22       9:30 a.m. - 2:20 p.m.        $25 Includes Lunch

How to Live the Serenity Prayer
We will learn to apply the Serentiy Prayer to our lives.

          "God grant the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change;
           the courage to change the things I can; and the wisdom to know the difference."

Using a model that shows our options when dealing with stressful situations, participants will develop their own plan to live a more serene life.
Pat Sheehan, PhD, and Oldenburg Franciscan Associate, has presented many workshops on intimacy, sexuality, trauma, addictions and stress in the Chemical Dependency Treatment section. She is current;y in private practice.
Saturday, August 29         9:00 - 11:30 a.m.        $20

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CARE OF CREATION:
A Corporate Stance  of Oldenburg Franciscans

 Following the example of Francis and Clare of Assisi, we, the Oldenburg Franciscan Sisters, humbly acknowledge that we are Sisters of all creation. With awe and gratitude we celebrate the mystery of God's loving presence in the Universe. We acknowledge that we are of Earth, deeply connected to all life, ever nurtured and sustained by Earth's abundant gifts.

Faithful to our Franciscan heritage, we assume personal and communal responsibility for honoring and protecting the natural world in our care, choosing to value all as sacred. We commit to making Earth a priority in our decisions, to living lightly on Earth, to using resources responsibly, and to contributing to the sustainability of Earth for generations to come.

Throughout the year OFC will provide seasonal times of reflection for sections of our Corporate Stance.

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Summer Celebration: Atonement - A Way of At-One-Ment
Join us for a day of reflection on Care of Creation an take a meditative walk considering Earth's suffering from humanity's heavy footprint. Find your own "recovery path" to a vibrant Earth community.
S. Claire Whalen, OSF, is a deep ecologist involved in local food production as a director of an agricultural cooperative. She has been connected to Michaela Farm since 1993, and created the nature trails at the farm.
July 18, 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.        $40 - Includes Lunch

Coming Attractions - Mark Your Calendars Now!

Michaela Farm's 
100th Anniversary Barn Celebration
Celebrate the Barn's 100th Birthday!
Dinner - Entertainment - Prizes
   Help support the Farm's Earth-Friendly Future!
Saturday, June 20th
Details To Follow!
               

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ON-GOING SERVICES

Plan to come for a day of quiet reflection or a few days to regroup, revitalize your spirit as well as your body.

Spiritual Direction and private retreats are available by calling (812) 933-6437.
Fees vary, but usually range from $35 - $45 for a session.
  

Inquire about Group Spiritual Direction: an opportunity to mutually benefit from the insights of fellow travelers on the spiritual journey. Such a group of 4 to 5 persons would meet monthly for a two-hour session, sharing scripture and their life stories in that context.