|
"Arriving at an older age is to be considered a privilege:
not
simply because not everyone has the good fortune to reach
this stage in life, but also, and above all, because this period
provides real possibilities for better evaluating the past, for
knowing and living more deeply the Paschal Mystery, for
becoming an example in the Church for the whole People of
God."
--
Pope John Paul II
The Catholic Parishes in Waterloo Present
The Spirituality
of Aging
Retreat
Friday, March
13, 2008 •
9:00am-3:30pm
American Martyrs Retreat House, Cedar Falls
Conducted
by Sr. Joanne Dehmer SSND
Cost: $25.00 per
person (includes lunch)
Special Discount: $15.00 per person
for members, employees and clients of our co-sponsoring
organizations and the Catholic Parishes in Waterloo.
[Registration fee collected at the door]
Sponsored by
American Martyrs Retreat House
Catholic Daughters of America
St. Patrick Parish, Cedar Falls
The Catholic Parishes in Waterloo
Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare
• • •
Description
This one-day retreat experience is designed to help participants
deepen their relationship with God as they reflect on one of the
most important spiritual realities of life: the process of
aging, and eventually dying. In this retreat participants
will have an opportunity to explore the challenges,
opportunities and questions which accompany growing older at any
age.
The
retreat will take place in a comfortable, affirming and
encouraging atmosphere. The format will provide an
opportunity for sharing in a large group and in small groups as
well as time for private prayer, reading and journaling.
Audience
The retreat is open to persons of all faiths and ages who are
interested in exploring the spiritual dimensions of growing
older.
Retreat Facilitator
Sr. Joanne Dehmer SSND is a member of the School Sisters of Notre
Dame and a staff member at Loyola Spirituality Center in St.
Paul, Minnesota. Sr. Joanne has an MA degree in Ministry
from Seattle University and wide experience in spiritual
direction, teaching and pastoral ministry. She is an
instructor in the Sacred Ground Direction Program and is
a frequent presenter and retreat facilitator in the areas of
aging, grief, spiritual legacy, and spiritual noticing.
Registration
•
By phone: call
319-234-9912
•
By email:
DBQ208s3@arch.pvt.k12.ia.us
•
Online:
Click here to register online
________________________
Reflections on the
Spirituality of Aging
“You have
taught me, O God, from my youth, and till the present I proclaim
your wondrous deeds. And now that I am old and grey, O God,
forsake me not, till I proclaim your strength to every
generation that is to come.”
-- Psalm 71:17-18.
• • •
From U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, The
Blessings of Age--A Pastoral Letter on Growing Older Within the
Faith Community (1999).
"While
all are called to holiness, to 'ever more intimate union with
Christ,' spiritual concerns often assume greater importance for
older persons....
"In
later life you begin to wonder if your life has made a
difference to anyone—if it has meaning. You may engage in
reminiscing or life review.
You look back at the
events and relationships in your life, recognizing what is good
and constructive and letting go of mistakes and failures. While
you cannot change past events, you can ask God to help you
change your attitudes and perception of them. Some past failures
might now be seen as events from which you learned. Perhaps
dealing with difficult people has taught you about patience and
respect for different points of view....
"Facing
one's own mortality means recognizing that death is part of
life. Every other phase of life—childhood, adolescence, and
young and middle adulthood—has been lived in expectation of a
next phase. The next phase after old age, however long and rich
old age might be, is eternal life. Older persons develop a
deeper appreciation that 'for [the Lord's] faithful people life
is changed, not ended.' Older adulthood is a time when one
learns to accept the ultimate change in life called death. It is
the doorway to full union with God and to reunion with loved
ones. From that doorway, Christ calls you to join your suffering
and death to his so that they become redemptive....
"...[Y]ou probably worry about a
decline and eventual loss of your own personal health. You fear
becoming dependent on others, perhaps even becoming a burden.
You may worry about being unable to communicate your desires
regarding such serious matters as life support system.... You
may worry about losing your home or not having the financial
resources to sustain you through chronic illness or
disability.... These are serious concerns that you, your family
members and friends, and your faith community must work together
to address. Here, however, we must say this to you: There is
nothing wrong with being dependent on others; interdependence,
not independence, is the true gospel value. From birth to death,
no one is ever truly independent. All of us need each other,
more at some times than at others. Do not fear asking for and
accepting help. Your dependency can be an occasion of grace both
for yourself and for others."
http://www.usccb.org/laity/blessings/english.shtml
• • •
From Pope John Paul II, Letter of His Holiness to the Elderly
(1998) #1:
"What is
old age? At times it has been referred to the autumn of life —
so Cicero calls it — following the analogy suggested by the
seasons and the successive phases of nature. We need but look at
the changes taking place in the landscape over the course of the
year, on the mountains and in the plains, in the meadows,
valleys and forests, in the trees and plants. There is a close
resemblance between our human bio-rhythms and the natural cycles
of which we are a part.
"At the same time however
man is set apart from all other realities around him, precisely
because he is a person. Made in the image and likeness of God,
he is conscious and responsible. Even in his spiritual
dimension, though, he experiences the succession of different
phases, all equally fleeting. Saint Ephrem the Syrian liked to
compare our life to the fingers of a hand, both to emphasize
that its length is no more than a span, and to indicate that
each phase of life, like the different fingers, has its
particular character, and 'the fingers represent the five steps
by which man advances.'
"Consequently, whereas childhood and youth are
the times when the human person is being formed and is
completely directed towards the future, and — in coming to
appreciate his own abilities — makes plans for adulthood, old
age is not without its own benefits. As Saint Jerome observes,
with the quieting of the passions, it 'increases wisdom, and
brings more mature counsels.' In a certain sense, it is the
season for that wisdom which generally comes from experience,
since 'time is a great teacher.' The prayer of the Psalmist is
well known: 'Teach us to number our days aright, that we may
gain wisdom of heart' (Ps 90:12)."
http://www.usccb.org/laity/olderpersons.shtml
________________________
Comments from
Participants
[March,
2009 Retreat at American Martyrs, Cedar Falls]
"Very easy for the
average lay person to relate to and to understand....It was all
excellent. Thanks so much!"
"Sister Joanne is obviously very experienced, knowlegable and
comfortable in what she does....[What I liked best was] the
inspiration to do better--more prayer, more thought for others,
more pending of fences...."
"[What I liked best was] the sense of relating to Sister so
well. She covered almost everything that I've been
experiencing in my old age...."
"Just the right amount of teaching, sharing, praying, and of
course lunch...."
"I
needed a little more structure...."
"[It was] not long enough. It needs to be at least a
weekend for more time to reflect...."
"A
very fulfilling day! It gave me a good insight into my
life....Great suggestions!"
"Sister Joanne [is] such a delightful, open person. She
had so much insight because of her years of experience as a
pastoral counselor and personal experiences.... The day
went too fast!!"
"Excellent presenter. [She] shared so beautifully and put
everyone at ease.... [The retreat] helped me think deeper
about this stage and reassured me of Jesus' universal love for
us/me!.... The entire day was awesome. I am so
grateful for this time and experience."
"I
expected more of a workshop than a retreat [but] this was good
-- much more spiritual....The topic was well covered...."
"The format of the day was very user-friendly -- having frequent
breaks and having a variety of group time and time for
reflection....I enjoyed so much getting to know Sister Joanne
and hearing stories from her spiritual journey with the Lord.
She is such an encourager in faith."
"I
like the idea that it was not one big long lecture. There
was time for participant interaction."
"Excellent presentation of fascinating material! Probably
the best workshop session on any topic that I've
attended. Super!"
"I
thought she'd hover around 50-somethings, but she didn't.
Have her back. She's great!"
"[Sister Joanne] was excellent and drew the audience out.
[It] was very thought-provoking."
"[This was] just wonderful ... more than I expected."
"Sister Joanne shared from a personal storehouse of
experience--not as a scholar, but as one who journeys with
us...The length was good--but I would like more!"
"The room arrangement was not conducive to sharing...."
"Having six priests spend the day was such a plus...."
"It
helped increase my faith...."
"[This day] covered just what I wanted and needed.... I am
so glad I was able to experience this retreat...."
"I
would like this day to be repeated so I can recruit people to
attend...."
"[There was] a lot of sitting and listening, although the
material was interesting and also helpful. It generated my
thinking about aging...."
"The room was crowded and too much like a classroom...."
________________________
For more information contact:
Director of Adult Faith Formation
320 Mulberry Street, Waterloo IA 50703
Phone: 319-234-9912
Email: <DBQ208s3@arch.pvt.k12.ia.us>
Posted 11.20.08 •
Last Update:
03.17.09
|