December – A Word From The Lay Leadership Director

As we live into the darkening days of December, we are once again invited into the renewal of Advent. Where is my heart centered? On whom is my heart set? From where does my activity originate. This season of Advent calls us to a renewal of our hearts for ministry. We continue to serve God’s people in these ways:

Praying with St. Ignatius, Parish Retreat. During this past month of November, 72 retreatants completed the 6 and 8-week retreats held at Jesuit Retreat House, Gesu Parish and St. Mary Parish, Hudson. This month, we will be meeting to review our experience, making plans for our Lenten retreats which will take place at Lakewood Catholic Academy and St. Basil the Great Parish. Joan Carney, Praying with St. Ignatius Coordinator has been meeting with several parish representatives as we begin now to prepare for the 2014-2015 program year. In addition, Amy McKenna and Jean Sullivan have attended Suburban Southeast and Suburban Southwest Diocesan District Meetings to describe this parish retreat opportunity. They will be speaking at three more district meetings during the month of January.

Nurturing the Call. Our three-part series concluded this past month of November. We focused on “Guiding Gospel Contemplation for Large Groups.” During our concluding session, Sr. Mary Ann shared an inspiring reflection from John English, SJ, “Guides cannot know whether their guidance will in fact produce the results they desire. This is the function of the Spirit who may have other designs for the participants. In any case, they have provided material to the best of their discernment. After the Spirit has brought about some new development, whatever it may be, guides can then turn their attention to what has actually happened, and move ahead from there.” Consoling words! See next page for some information on our December program. Still time to register!
Food for the Journey. This program which focuses on “The Process of Conversion in the Life of Augustine of Hippo” continues this month.

COMING IN 2014 … SAVE THESE DATES
FOOD FOR THE JOURNEY
The Process of Conversion in the Life of
Francis of Assisi
A Book Reflection Group Facilitated by Martha Campbell
Open to Spiritual Directors, Retreat Leaders, Pastoral Ministers and Those Who have Made the Full Exercises
Saturday Mornings from 9:30 – 11:30
(Coffee and Conversation beginning at 9:00 a.m.)
January 18, February 15, March 15, April 12
Held at The Franciscan Center, Garfield Heights, OH
Details to follow.
IGNATIAN CURRENTS
Facilitated by Howard Gray, SJ
SEARCHING FOR GOD THROUGH IMAGINATION AND STORY: LIVING OUT THE IGNATIAN TRADITION
OPEN TO ALL
Friday, May 30th from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 31st at from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
(with Eucharist 4:00 p.m.)

VIEW A COMPLETE COPY OF THE DECEMBER NEWSLETTER UNDER LAY LEADERSHIP NEWSLETTERS