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Women’s Day 2010A warm reception for Women of ChangeBy Angela Roesler, Indianapolis IN

“Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it became a butterfly.” - Proverb

Over fifty women considered these words, guided by Sister Olga Wittekind, PhD through an insightful discussion on the psychology and reality of change in our lives.

Sometimes we choose change, and sometimes it chooses us. Sometimes we are compelled by the Spirit, challenged to grow as followers of Christ. Sometimes we find ourselves face to face with some loss that leads us to a new way of living. Sometimes...

Sometimes we feel pushed to move when we’re not ready, and

sometimes we feel restrained when we want to take flight.

Sometimes changes around us lead us to make changes within us. Sometimes changes within us lead us to make changes around us. Sometimes...

Sometimes it seems life is a great series of challenges to grow in faith and love; sometimes just to survive. Still, we are called to spin our cocoons with patience, to accept dormant nights as they fall, and to allow ourselves to be led by the Spirit to emerge with new life.

In their utterly engaging and understanding ways, Sister Olga Wittekind, Sister Patty Campbell, Sister Norma Rocklage, and the Women’s Day committee

celebrated the diversity of women and the myriad changes we face throughout our lives with a spirit of heartfelt compassion and love.

Through details big and small, from the spring flowers and delicious lunch to the wonderful variety of prayers, personal discussions, and abundant moments for quiet contemplation, the Sisters shared the light of their Franciscan experience with women of all ages, helping cast a new light on how God might be calling each of us to grow in peace through change.

Most importantly, they reminded us we’re all God’s butterflies and sent us home with wings.

Did you know? 3,948 people made a private or group retreat with us this past year!

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Picturing change:Chrysalis & wingsCheryl Blackburn, Cincinnati OH

I recently attended the workshop on Accepting Change at the Franciscan Center. I was truly blessed as this was the first time I had ever attended a class there. I left realizing the dark times (being in a cocoon) are just as much part of God’s plans for my life as the good times and it’s a growth period for me.

I am a photographer, and not long ago I had gone to a butterfly exhibit in Colombus, Ohio and I wanted to share these with someone there. Hopefully they will bless someone! God bless each and every one who shared this day.

Love in Christ, Cheryl

Wanting more:Honest feedbackRuth Kalin, Bronx NY

Of all the events I’ve gone to at Oldenburg... I found Women’s Day 2010 to be the most valuable. It was a good topic and very good presenters. I came home with a lot to chew on. Thank you... for choosing a topic so relevant to so many people and for putting together such a high quality conference.

...What I would recommend is a longer conference. The interaction with other participants and presenters can be one of the most enriching parts of a conference. [But] it went so fast... I just felt so strongly after the meeting ended that I wanted more.

On playing & praying &A space to just BEBy W. B. Cricket

Wandering free on floating feetI spy a fallen treeAnd beckoning sweet It calls to me;Come rest and we’ll just Be!

And so it seemsThis tree still livesAnd holds me with such loveThat I could stay andPass the dayEyes to the skies above.

Birdsong blessedWith breezes tressedAnd sun’s soft glowing rays;Through storms hold fastFor peace at last;Restoring are His ways.

The robins keep me companyAnd splash with such delight-O to be like one of them And bathe in heaven’s light!

The waters moveAnd in their danceI hear an orchestraAs if Handel, Liszt, or MendelssohnConducted from Above.

So pausing here in OldenburgAt rest for two short daysI find myself wrapped in God’s loveIn sweet, abundant ways.

On faith & friendship &Fresh perspectiveBy Amy Ruberg, Batesville IN

This year was my first time to attend Women’s Day at Oldenburg. I know I was drawn to the topic of “Women of Change” because of my own journey right now.

The gentle spring rains and the welcoming atmosphere provided the perfect opportunity for me to both share with other women and meditate on my own story.

The greatest gift to me was the insight provided by Sister Olga Wittekind

that we often find ourselves in the “doorway” of change, the “liminal space” not fully arrived yet not the same, and that this transition can take a long time. We must be patient and respectful with ourselves.

She also commented wisely that our family and friends, though loving onlookers, are often unaware of our internal processing and thinking, and only see (and so can be surprised) by our actions.

I left with a full heart, new found companions, and the comfort of a delicious lunch and fresh strawberry dessert!

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“Just to be is a blessing, Just to live is holy; Just to Be, Just to live is a Blessing, is Holy.

Be still and know I am God; In quiet and trust lies your healing; When you look, you’ll find me with you; When you look, you’ll find me with you.”

-Just to Be (words to refrain from Rabbi Abraham Hershel) - shared with retreatants at Women’s Day 2010

Photography by Cheryl Blackburn

Photography by Cheryl Blackburn

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Reserve Now!!O

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Saturday July 10 9:00-11:30am

$20

How simple it is to live when we open our hearts and invite God deeply into our

journey of life! The presenter will share her experience of meeting God and

finding joy. She will assist us in finding the joy of knowing the true God of Love and how God loves us so much and wants

us to embrace life with joy.

Karen Varske is an international motivational speaker from Ohio. She has

learned much through her personal challenges in life, as well as through her

prayer and meditation. Karen is a mother, grandmother, and friend.

Seven Steps to WellnessSaturday July 17

9:00-11:30am $20

As we walk, we focus on where we are going and from where we have started.

When we reach our destination, we know the ground we have covered. Most

importantly, we need to know where we are NOW to begin our journey. So it is with our relationship with God, others,

and us.

S. Patty Campbell, OSF has been a parish life coordinator and currently serves as a retreat director and spiritual director.

The Journey Toward an Undivided LifeSaturday August 7

9:30-2:30pm $45 includes lunch

Are you growing in peace? We will look below life’s surface and see what pieces of

our lives still need integration. As we move along the process of self-development

(Individuation), we will find peace and love from our relationship with God.

S. Olga Wittekind, OSF is the Director of Oldenburg Franciscan Center and a retreat and spiritual director. A Jungian

psychologist, she enjoys giving workshops on psychology and spirituality.

Teilhard de Chardin: Lessons from a Modern Mystic

Saturday, September 11 9:00-11:30am

$20

Teilhard de Chardin, SJ (1881-1955) was a modern day mystic. His life can teach

us to hold the world in prayer and to keep our eyes and hearts open to glimmers of grace and beauty in the natural world.

His life inspires!

S. Barbara Leonard, OSF is a Franciscan Sister who has degrees in

Biblical Studies and Christian Spirituality. She is a teacher, spiritual director, and

retreat leader with a special interest in the wisdom of great leaders and writers in

history.

Earth WalkSaturday, September 25

9:00-11:30am $20

As you walk, stroll, or trudge along your path, do you ever ask how all the gifts you

see in Creation can help you build a deeper relationship with your Creator?

Seeing God in all things and all things in God, we can experience the peace that

surpasses understanding.

S. Karla Barker, OSF is a Franciscan Sister who is a spiritual director and a

retreat director. She has a special interest in creation and its impact on us.

Autumn Meditations of God’s Creation

Saturday, October 169:30-3:30pm

$45 includes lunch

Come and participate in prayerful reflection in the beauty of autumn. We

will learn contemplative prayer modes that can enhance our connection with God the

Creator, and spend a part of our day at

Michaela Farm.

S. Marya Grathwohl, OSF has a background in Earth literacy studies,

Creation Spirituality, and ministering with African-American, Crow and Northern Cheyenne communities. She founded

Earth Hope in 1998.

How can we teach our children to read?Saturday, August 21

9:00-11:30am $20

Do you know when children begin to read? What books are good to read to children? Where can the best books be found? Parents, teachers, and childcare

personnel will find this presentation informative!

S. Mary Paul Larson, OSF is an educator. She was on the faculty of the

Education Department at Marian (College) University, where she instructed student teachers in the skills needed for teaching children reading, language arts and the fine arts. She also taught on the

Crow Reservation in Montana.

Beauty, Wonder, and Belonging:

Wisdom Revealed In and Through the Universe

Weekend RetreatOctober 22-24

Friday 7pm to Sunday 1pm

$150 ProgramIncludes Speaker, Workshops, Book,

Materials, 6 Delicious Meals & Snacks!Optional Accomodations:

Private: $45 per nightShared: $35 per night per person

The time and place for our living here on this planet is no accident. We

recognize that our lives meet with the Divine. Fr. Jim will give us a way to put together “humanity’s emerging

vision of the world of beauty, wonder, and belonging” with the happenings

of every day life.

FR JIM CONLON is the director of the Sophia Center at Holy Names

College in Oakland, California. He is a renowned presenter of programs in

theology, social justice and spirituality/culture. He has written

several books, the most recent of which is Beauty, Wonder, and

Belonging.

S. Marya Grathwohl, OSF will be a presenter and weekend

facilitator.

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010 EMAIL US TO REGISTER @ center@oldenburgosf.com

OR CALL US @ 812-933-6437 OR PRINT & MAIL TO: OLDENBURG FRANCISCAN CENTER PO BOX 100 - OLDENBURG, IN 47036

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RESERVE MY SPOT FOR BEAUTY, WONDER & BELONGING October 22-24! Number Attending Program Only ____ Number Attending with Private Room ___ Male ___ FemaleNumber Attending with Shared Room ___ Male ___ FemaleRoommates: ______________________________________

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SPIRITUAL DIRECTION: The strength that comes from sharing your faith and hopes with a spiritual director can lift your soul to greater union with God. If you have never tried this before, the opportunity is now. Call us so we can talk.

Looking ForwardFrom the director’s cornerBy Sister Olga Wittekind, OSF

Women’s Day was such a special event! It was wonderful to just be with all the women who attended, to feel God’s grace inspiring us to take a fresh look at the changes in our lives, and to see friends together, new and old, sharing their journeys with one another. It was such a blessing as we arrived at the closing ceremony to notice the spirit in everyone opening to accept changes in their lives.

We have heard from so many of you what the day meant to you personally, and your sharing is so dear to us. It is a blessing to hear the wonderful ways God is touching your lives. Your reflections and feedback are inspiration to us as we look to expand our Franciscan outreach in ways

meaningful to you, our community. Please continue sharing your thoughts with us! Email us at center@oldenburgosf.com.

In the same way we are excited to

continue growing in service to our community, we are thrilled to announce we have a new marketing committee!  Bill Daily, Shawn Holtel, Michael Kruse, Angela Roesler, Jane Ruby, Claire Sherman, Sue Siefert, Jennifer Silvers, and Jane Yorn are offering their creativity to help us change our web site, use Facebook, and make better use of our e-mail connections.  We want to keep spreading the word about our retreats, programs, and hospitality!

You’ll be hearing more from us soon! Look for our e-mails, and spread the word! Share our newsletters and announcements with your friends, and grow with us.

Most importantly, remember you’re the reason we’re here! Come visit! Call ahead, or just stop in! Come for a few hours, a day, a weekend.... come and talk... or come and Just Be... let us be a channel of Peace for you... God is waiting!

Make registration checks payable to the Sisters of St Francis