Semi-annual Newsletter of the Sisters of Charity Spirituality Center January 2018

From the Director…

Another season has flown by and now we prepare for our winter and spring edition of Heart Notes 2018. Where does the time go? I can only think to begin this letter with the quote by Brother David Steindl-Rast, OSB, “May you grow still enough to hear the stir of a single snowflake in the air, so that your inner silence may turn into hushed expecta-tion.” As we move into the winter season this quote reflects for me the beauty and simplicity of the sea-son. If we could only still our minds and hearts to be able to reflect on the goodness of our loving, car-ing God.

Wintertime leads into Spring and as we look ahead to the programs we are preparing for this next sea-son, I hope you will find something that will help to guide you to that inner stillness from Brother Da-vid’s quote. In hopes that we get a snowfall in these coming months, stop and ponder how the snow falls gently to Earth. Slowly, carefully, each flake tumbles, turning over and over several times

before it hits the ground. Imagine yourself in the snowflake and absorb all the beauty and simplicity as you fall to the Earth.

My wish for all of you this season is to stop and pause this Advent, Christmas season. Day by day, minute by minute we pause to reflect the goodness and grace of the moment. May this coming season fill your hearts with some time to pause and reflect on the grace and the gifts of the season.

I wish you peace and blessings for the coming win-ter and thank you for your love and support for our

gathering times in the season ahead. May we in the Spirituality Center help you experience the good-

ness and grace of the moment in the months ahead. Blessings to each of you and thank you for the gifts you all share with us.

Many blessings to all,

Marty

Being Still with God

Life can get hectic and sometimes we wish we could push a “PAUSE” button. We’re offering time and sacred space so you can pause and “be still” with God for a while. To begin the evening a member of the Spirituality Center Advisory Committee will offer a short reflection. After the reflection you are on your own to seek out your prayer space... the chapel, prayer room, labyrinth or any parlor or bench. Pause and pray in your own way. At the end of our quiet time we will gather to pray together for a few minutes. Please join us on the second Thursday of the month.

PRESENTER/DATES:

Jan. 11 Pat Plogmann Feb. 8 Judi Sauerbrey Mar. 8 Barb Beimesch Apr. 12 Marty Dermody, SC TIME: 7-8:30PM LOCATION: Emmaus Room; SC Motherhouse FEE: No fee. Registration requested. Free will offering appreciated.

Page 2 Heart Notes

January-August, 2018

JANUARY

11 Being Still with God 12 Friday Night at the Movies 24 Praying with Nature 27 Drum Circle

FEBRUARY

3 Pathways to Prayer 4 Sunday of Reflection 8 Being Still with God 9 Friday Night at the Movies 17 Mindfulness 21 Praying with Paint 24 Drum Circle

MARCH

3 Pathways to Prayer 4 Sunday of Reflection 7 Pottery 8 Being Still with God 14 Pottery 16 Friday Night at the Movies 21 Pottery 23-24 Ecology of the Spirit 28 Pottery 31 Drum Circle

APRIL

7 Pathways to Prayer 12 Being Still with God 13 Friday Night at the Movies 18 Praying with Nature 21 Praying with Paint 28 Drum Circle

MAY

4-5 SoulCollage 18 Friday Night at the Movies 26 Drum Circle

JUNE

6 Praying with Nature

JULY

5-10 Annual Retreats 28 Drum Circle

AUGUST

12-18 Annual Retreats 25 Drum Circle

On Another Beat...Drum Circle

Come and enjoy timeless rhythms of self-expression from the core of your being – no experience or formal training needed - just your heartbeat. In the Drum Cir-cle, there is no audience. Everyone is part of the echo-ing sound that comes from their within. Spend one hour with your heart beat and find the rhythm of your soul. No experience needed, drums are provided.

FACILITATOR: Shirley LeBlanc, SC DATES: Saturdays, Jan. 27, Feb. 24, Mar. 31, Apr. 28, May 26, Jul. 28, Aug. 25 TIME: 3:30PM LOCATION: Emmaus Room; SC Motherhouse FEE: No fee or registration required.

S. Shirley, our drumming facilitator celebrates the third anniversary in drumming at the Motherhouse. She is re-tired but loves to get together with folks to drum either for the sheer pleasure of it or the soulful space drumming can bring.

Friday Night at the Movies

Beginning in January we will offer movie night at the Motherhouse. Mark your calendars as we provide an evening of relaxation and fun with some popular movies of our time.

MOVIE/DATES

We Bought a Zoo Jan. 12 Fly Away Home Feb. 9 The Book Thief Mar. 16 Lion Apr. 13 The Big Year May 18

TIME: 7PM LOCATION: Rose Room; SC Motherhouse FEE: No fee. Registration requested. Free will offering appreciated

January 2018 Page 3

Join us for Centering Prayer

These Centering Prayer groups are part of an ongoing program in the Spirituality Center. We share the practice of Centering Prayer and offer support to one another in a contem-plative lifestyle. FREE—no registration re-quired.

Mondays TIME: 10-11AM PLACE: Prayer Room; SC Motherhouse LEADERS: Liz Maxwell & Joyce Richter, SC

Wednesdays TIME: 4-5PM PLACE: Prayer Room; SC Motherhouse LEADERS: Liz Maxwell & Joyce Richter, SC

Praying with Paint

Praying with Paint is an opportunity to reflect, pray and use our creative energy to share ideas through color on a canvas. Expression and images help make our creative juices come alive and connect us to the source of all energy~ God.

PRESENTER: Bill Owen DATE/TIME: Wednesday, February 21; 6:30-8:30

[registration by 2/12] DATE/TIME: Saturday, April 21; 10 AM-noon

[registration by 4/12] LOCATION: Emmaus Room; SC Motherhouse FEE: $15; $10 for Sisters of Charity

[additional $5 for supplies]

Bill Owen has been involved in art since the age of five. He studied art all through high school and attended the Art Advertising Academy. Bill has been involved in art projects while traveling in Hong Kong and China. He currently works as Activities Coordinator at Mother Margaret Hall.

Ecology of the Spirit: Insights from Thomas Merton and Rachel Carson

Thomas Merton, a Cistercian monk, and Rachel Carson, a scientist, recognized the interdependence of life. Using selections from both writers, this program explores how being aware, identifying spots of time, and recognizing the holy in the ordinary are integral to expanding ecological and spiritual consciousness. Identify points of connection and discover new ways of being in relationship with all of creation. Strengthen your con-nections with all of creation through an eco-spiritual understanding.

Recommended Reading: New Seeds of Contemplation by Thomas Merton; Silent Spring by Rachel Carson

PRESENTER: Vanessa Hurst DATES: Friday, March 23-Saturday, March 24, 2018 TIME: Friday, 6:30PM –Saturday, 9:30AM-3:30PM LOCATION: Cedars; SC Motherhouse FEE: $95 Overnight; $65 Commute $50 for Sisters of Charity $25 non-refundable registration fee (applied to total fee)

REGISTRATION DUE BY MARCH 14

Vanessa Hurst is the previous executive director of The Merton Institute for Contemplative Living. She is the author of Engaging Compassion Through Intent & Action, a Community Builder who consults with organ-izations in deepening their cultures of compassion. A practicing contemplative for over 23 years, her natural life rhythm is intentionally sharing compassion with herself, others, and all of creation. Vanessa holds a mas-ter’s degree in Natural Health. In her practice as an intuitive healer and spiritual mentor, Vanessa under-stands living contemplatively and compassionately are the roots of healing. For her, compassion is a lived experience, one she hopes will touch all her relationships. She hopes to inspire others to engage compassion through intent and action.

Page 4 Heart Notes

Pathways to Prayer

As adults how do we pray? There are many ways we have learned over the years, different ways of communicating with God. It is something we desire and something we need in our world today. We invite you to come and share with us the “Pathways to Prayer” involving a variety of ways that people pray.

THEMES/PRESENTER/DATES

Circle Dance Louise Lawarre Feb. 3 (Registration by 1/24)

Dance is part of human culture worldwide. Sacred Circle Dancing as it has developed at the intentional community in Findhorn, Scotland, blends movement and music from both traditional cultures and contem-porary life. Easy circle dances to themes of gratitude and peace bring participants together to share the fun of moving together, and create a rhythmic motion in which each dancer can slip into their own meditation.

Louise Lawarre has a Masters Degree in Culture and Spirituality from Holy Names University in Oakland, CA. She studied Earth Literacy with Sr. Miriam Therese MacGillis at Genesis Farm in New Jersey. She is the found-ing director of GAPP (Greater Anderson Promotes Peace).

Praying with Catholic Social Teaching Cj Willie, SC Mar. 3 (Registration by 2/21)

Catholic Social Teaching is at the heart of what it means to be a follower of Jesus. This session brings to-gether the connection between charity, justice and deepening one's own spirituality.

Caroljean Willie, SC has extensive experience working cross-culturally as a teacher, principal, teacher-trainer, and cultural diversity consultant and retreat director. She recently completed two terms of office as the NGO representative at the United Nations where she worked in the areas of social development, education, envi-ronmental sustainability, human trafficking, interfaith dialogue and poverty eradication for the Sisters of Charity Federation. She continues to work with microfinancing projects in Africa.

Cj currently serves as the Program Director for EarthConnection, an environmental center in Cincinnati, Ohio and serves on the board of Ohio Interfaith Power and Light.

Prayer in the Hindu Tradition Swami Parameshananda Apr. 7 (Registration by 3/28)

Swami Parameshananda, a Hindu monk and a member of the Bharat Sevashram Sangha monas-tic order will share the experience of prayer that is common for our Hindu brothers and sisters.

His presentation will help us to deepen our ability to live in the present moment.

Swami Parameshananda is a Hindu monk, a member of the Bharat Sevashram Sangha monastic order. He speaks internationally on spiritual topics, especially on the importance of living in the present moment. Origi-nally from Guyana, he now lives with his community in Jamaica, New York, and serves as the NGO representa-tive of his religious community at the United Nations. He is the author of several books, including The Making of an American Yogi.

TIME: 10AM-12:00PM LOCATION: February-Cedars; March & April-Emmaus Room; SC Motherhouse FEE: $15; $10 for Sisters of Charity; payable at time of registration

January 2018 Page 5

Praying with Nature through the Seasons

We are all aware of the gifts of the seasons with each new day of our lives. Here in the Midwest we expe-rience the changes of nature on a daily basis. Using photographs and the outdoors we can get in touch with our loving God. This program will allow us to observe and experience some of the ways nature shows forth those day to day changes.

PRESENTER: Marty Dermody, SC DATE: Wednesdays, Jan. 24, Apr. 18 & June 6, 2018 TIME: 9:30-11:00AM LOCATION: Rose Room; SC Motherhouse FEE: No fee; registration requested.

S. Marty Dermody, SC is the current Director of the Spirituality Center and loves sharing her photography in her prayer.

SoulCollage®

SoulCollage® is a gentle way of exploring one’s life journey – an intuitive process that allows discovery and acceptance of who you are.

This intentional creative spiritual practice is a way to heal and evolve your soul, by cutting and pasting images into a card that symbolizes a particular voice present in your life's story. As you create space for each inner voice to be heard, you unlock your own wisdom and are transformed by the process.

SoulCollage® is a creative process and practice, with card making, soul collage principles and elements, and individual and group card readings. No art experience needed.

Friday Evening – 6-9 PM Introduction and contemplative exercises Saturday – 9 AM-4 PM Studio time with in depth card readings

PRESENTER: Mooydeen Frees DATE: May 4-5, 2018 TIME: Friday, 6-9 PM - Saturday, 9 AM-3 PM LOCATION: Emmaus Room; SC Motherhouse FEE: $105 (includes meals & overnight); $70 Commute $60 fee for Sisters of Charity $25; non-refundable registration fee (applied to total cost)

REGISTRATION DUE BY APRIL 25

SPIRITUALITY CENTER STAFF

Marty Dermody, SC Director…..513-347-5453

Mary Fran Davisson,SC

Licensed Massage Therapist Anat Baniel Method® Practitioner…..513-347-5318

Maureen Heverin, SC Spiritual Director, Retreat Minister…..513-347-1408

Micki Trentman

Secretary…..513-347-5449

Page 6 Heart Notes

Spiritual Direction Opportunities

Spiritual direction is an opportunity to share one’s inner life in a confidential setting with a trained and trusted listener. This centuries old Christian practice is the art of listening to God together, searching for the meaning of God’s ac-tion in life, and/or deepening one’s relationship with God. The process is individual and personal, helping to focus on the mutual relationship be-tween God and the person seeking direction. For additional information or a list of Spiritual Direc-tors please contact S. Maureen Heverin, SC.

Group Spiritual Direction is a process where-by people gather regularly to become more aware of how God is working in their lives. It is a reflective time which incorporates silence, shar-ing, listening, response and more silence. We have offered Group Spiritual Direction in the past but currently do not have an active group. There have been several calls recently expressing inter-est in Group Spiritual Direction.

Two practical questions to consider: Do I have the interior freedom to be in a

prayerful listening place as I seek to pay at-tention to God in my life with others on the journey?

Do I have flexibility in my schedule that can accommodate others’ schedules?

If you are interested and would like additional information please contact S. Maureen Heverin at 513-347-1408 or e-mail maureen.heverin@srcharitycinti.org.

Massage is both an ancient and naturally instinctive form of anointing and healing touch that helps re-lieve pain and discomfort. Massage is a holistic thera-py which enhances the mind, body, and spirit con-nection and helps open a person to the presence of God in their life.

Modalities include:

*Swedish Massage *Deep Tissue Massage *Medical Massage *Oncology Massage *Energy Work

15-min. neck & shoulder or foot massage $21.35 30-min. massage focusing on a specific area $32.00 1-hr. full body massage $53.40

30-min. Energy Work $30.00 1-hr. Energy Work $50.00

Sales tax has been added.

The Anat Baniel Method® uses a Neuromovement® approach based on the understanding that move-ment is the language of the brain. This method utiliz-es movement in all its forms: physical movement, thinking, feeling, and emotion which provides infor-mation that the brain needs to grow and organize it-self.

SESSIONS AVAILABLE INCLUDE:

45 minute Individual Functional SynthesisSM (FS) Session $60-$70 Group Transformational Movement LessonSM (TML) $60

(series of 4)

Appointments are required. Gift certificates are availa-ble. Call 513-347-5318 to schedule an appointment or for additional information.

You are precious in God’s sight. Is. 43:1

TM

January 2018 Page 7

SUNDAYS OF REFLECTION

Theme:

The Mission of Charity in the

Footsteps of Elizabeth Seton

TIME: 9:30 AM 10:45 AM 11:30 AM

12:00 PM FEE: $20

There is no fee for the Sundays of Reflection for SC’s and Associates. Donations are welcome to defray expenses. Those who do not live at the Motherhouse are requested to call 347-5300 (daytime) or 347-5346 (evening) and leave a message if you plan to stay for dinner.

Mindfulness

Mindfulness is Paying Attention to Something in a Particular Way on Purpose in the Present Moment

without Judgement.

This allows us to learn our minds so that we are No Longer Overwhelmed by the Constant Flow of Thoughts, Feelings, and Sensations and as a result Achieve Clarity of Mind, Clearing away the Clutter, Settle Down, and Calm our Minds.

It is a Counteraction to the World which often demands or encourages Multi-Tasking which Clouds our Minds and Lives. It encourages and enables us to "Be Still and Experience our lives."

LEADER: Barb Beimesch DATE: Saturday, February 17, 2017

TIME: 10AM-2PM LOCATION: Emmaus Room; SC Motherhouse FEE: $25; $10 for Sisters of Charity; payable at registration

Barbara Beimesch, PsyD is a Clinical Psychologist who works with underserved populations of patients often in urban settings. She received her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Xavier University.

February 4 BAYLEY

Steve Simendinger Adrienne Walsh

ST. JOSEPH HOME Eunice Timoney Ravenna

March 4 SISTERS OF CHARITY

ASSOCIATE Maureen Maxfield

Feel Like You’re Going to Pot?

Experience the healing power of clay therapy while exploring your relationship with God through the powerful image of the Potter. During our four sessions you will create a vessel of clay while learning about how God interacts with us, molding, fashioning, creating. Old clothing sug-gested, aprons optional. A project sheet of ideas will follow registration.

MAXIMUM # OF PARTICIPANTS: 10

LEADER: Jackie Kowalski, SC DATES: Wednesdays, March 7, 14, 21, 28 TIME: 6-9PM LOCATION: Emmaus Room; SC Motherhouse FEE: $60; $25 for Sisters of Charity; $25 non-refundable registration fee (applied to total fee)

REGISTRATION DUE BY FEBRUARY 21

Jackie Kowalski, SC has been creating pottery for 25 years; throwing bowls and mugs, hand building and designing wall art. Besides her years of experience, she brings a passion for clay as a medium of self-expression and a way to interact with God.

REGISTRATION DUE BY FEBRUARY 7

Page 8 Heart Notes

Name:________________________________________ Phone:______________________________________

Address:____________________________________________________________________________________

Emergency Contact: _________________________________ Contact Phone: _____________________________________ Email:_____________________________________________

PROGRAM

If multiple times are offered please check the session you wish to attend Price Dep.

SC Deposit

Being Still with God…..___ Jan. 11 ___ Feb. 8 ___ Mar. 8 ___ Apr. 12 No fee; registration requested N/A N/A

Friday Night at the Movies…..___ Jan. 12 ___ Feb. 9 ___ Mar. 16 ___Apr. 13 ___May 18 No fee; registration requested N/A N/A

Praying with Nature….. ___ Jan. 24 ___ Apr. 18 ___ June 6 No fee; registration requested N/A N/A

Pathways to Prayer

___ Feb. 3 Circle Dance ___ Mar. 3 Catholic Social Teachings ___ Apr. 7 Hindu Prayer $15 session / $10 for SC’s $15 $10 SC’s

Mindfulness…..Feb. 17 $25 / $10 for SC’s $25 $10 SC’s

Praying with Paint….. ___ Feb. 21 ___ Apr. 21 $15 session & $5 supply fee

$10 for SC’s & $5 supply fee $15

+ fee $10 SC’s

+ fee

Feel Like You’re Going to Pot?.....Mar. 7, 14, 21, 28 $60 / $25 for SC’s $25 $25 SC’s

Ecology of the Spirit …..Mar. 23-24 $95 Overnight / $65 commute

$50 for SC’s $25 $25 SC’s

Sunday of Reflection ____Feb. 4 ____ Mar. 4 ____ both

No fee for SC’s or Associates $20

No fee for SC’s or Associates $20 No fee

SoulCollage® …..May 4-5 $105 Overnight / $70 commute

$60 for SC’s $25 $25 SC’s

TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED: __________

If multiple times are offered please check the session you wish to attend.

**All registration fees are applied to total cost.**

Send registration with deposit (if required) to:

Sisters of Charity Spirituality Center 5900 Delhi Rd. Mount St. Joseph, OH 45051

Check payable to Sisters of Charity

SUMMER DIRECTED & CONFERENCE RETREATS 2018

July 5-10 Nurturing Christ-Presence with God’s Good Earth & Cosmo Maureen Wild, SC Various Directors available for Directed Retreats

August 12-18 Awakening Consciousness Jan Novotka & Marie Larkin Various Directors available for Directed Retreats