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Adult Formation, Enrichment
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Next Busy World Retreat

What is a Busy World Retreat?
How Does It Work?
Who Can Participate?
Registration
For More Information

Our Next Busy World Retreat

Busy World Online
Lenten Retreat

Sunday, March 21-Sunday, March 28
(Participation fee: $5.00 per participant)

Small Group Discussions:
Monday, March 29 (Times TBA)
Rectory Parlor/Sacred Heart Parish

2010 Theme:
“You Are My Friends”

Reflections by Fr. M. Basil Pennington OCSO
Commentary by Archbishop Daniel Kucera OSB

About the Theme
In his introduction to this series of Lenten reflections, first published in 2005, Fr. Pennington wrote: "The Whole Story of the Bible, of the Revelation, is the story of God’s love for us, the story of his friendship with the men and women whom he is creating. In the opening pages, we find him coming in the cool of the evening to walk in the garden with his friends Adam and Eve. On the last pages, we find him knocking at the door of our hearts, wanting to come in and sit down side by side with his friends to have a little supper....

"Some may say that this is all myth," Fr. Pennington continued, "but myth is a story that tells the truth. And friendship is based on truth. What is the truth? Who are we? Remember, go the words at the imposition of ashes..., you are dust and into dust you will return. Yes, we are dust but we have been raised up to be friends, made sharers in divine life by being baptized into Christ. Our Lenten journey is to the font: to the renewal of our baptism and the renewal of our friendship with the Divine.”

As Fr. Pennington's editor, Mark Neilsen wrote, “These words, born of a lifetime of prayer and reflection on Scripture, are both a challenge and an invitation to us today. With the help of Fr. Basil’s reflection and prayer, may our Lent draw us closer to the greatest friend we could ever have.”

About the Author
Fr. M. Basil Pennington, O.C.S.O. (1931–2005) was a Trappist monk, priest and leading Catholic spiritual writer, speaker, teacher, and spiritual director. He entered the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance at St. Joseph’s Abbey in Spencer, Massachusetts in 1951.  He received a licentiate in Theology at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum) and a licentiate in Canon Law at the Pontifical Gregorian University.  In 2000, he was elected Abbot of the Monastery of the Holy Spirit in Conyers, Georgia. He retired as abbot and returned to St. Joseph's Abbey in 2002. He died from injuries sustained in a car accident in 2005.  Over the course of his life as a monk, Fr. Pennington wrote over 60 books and over 1,000 articles.  He was internationally known as one of the major proponents of the Centering Prayer movement begun at St. Joseph's during the 1970's.

About the Commentator
Archbishop Daniel Kucera OSB served as Archbishop of Dubuque from 1984 to 1995.  He is a native of Chicago and former abbot of St. Procopius Abbey in Lysle, Illiniois.  He has a masters and doctorate degrees from the Catholic University of America.  He was professed as a monk in the Order of St. Benedict in 1944 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1949.  He served on the faculty and as president of St. Procopius College (now Illinois Benedictine College) before being appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Joliet in 1977 and bishop of Salina, Kansas in 1980.  He is presently retired and lives in Dubuque.

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What is a Busy World Retreat?

A Busy World Retreat is designed for adults and young adults who are too busy to participate in a traditional weekend or weeklong retreat outside the home. It is a seven day retreat experience which takes place in the midst of everyday life.

During a Busy World Retreat, the individual's time for prayer and quiet reflection takes place in their home, work, or another environment of their choosing, at whatever time of day is convenient for them.

How Does a Busy World Online
Retreat Work?

• Participants register for the retreat and are given access to daily prayers and reflection material posted online. 

• During the next seven days, participants reflect privately each day on a scripture passage or spiritual reading and on the reflection questions assigned by the retreat guide. 

• Participants may share their thoughts and insights online with other participants.

• At the conclusion of the retreat there is an opportunity for participants to gather in small groups of four or five with a retreat guide to share the insights and reflections which have come to them over the past week. 

• If helpful, participants may arrange to meet privately with the retreat guide following the final group discussion.

Who Can Participate in a Busy World Retreat?

Adults and young adults of any age are welcome to participate in a Busy World Retreat.  This is an opportunity for anyone who wishes to spend some time reflecting on God's presence and goodness in their lives.  You do not need to be actively participating in a faith community, and you do not need to be familiar with the format or techniques of spiritual reflection in order to grow from a Busy World Retreat.  What you need is a desire to do this, and the commitment to spend 20 to 30 minutes each day in quiet reflection in an environment of your choice.

Registration

• By phone: call 319-234-9912
• By email: DBQ208s3@arch.pvt.k12.ia.us
• Online: Click here to register online

•   •   •

For information contact:

Director of Adult Faith Formation
320 Mulberry St., Waterloo IA 50703  •  Phone: 319-234-9912
email: DBQ208s3@arch.pvt.k12.ia.us

Posted 01.06.10  •  Last Update: 01.18.10

ADULT FORMATION PRINCIPLES
The Catholic parishes in Waterloo are committed to providing life-long faith formation and spiritual growth for adults of all ages. We value individual life experience, respect the diversity of personal convictions, and welcome the wisdom of every participant. We encourage conversation and dialogue. We will never intentionally embarrass or offend participants.

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