Professional women from across the state of Connecticut are invited to attend an evening of networking at our Lady of Calvary Retreat Center, located at 31 Colton Street in Farmington.  The Working Women’s Forum will be held on Monday, March 16 from 5:30 to 8:45 pm.  The evening features a keynote presentation by Bola Adelani entitled “How to Network and Build Profitable Relationships.”
Ms. Adelani is the founder of the Hartford-based Watered Garden Ministries, a non-profit organization she founded to reach and empower women through a variety of community-based outreach, benevolence and educational programs.  She is also founder of Royal Proclamations – a life coaching, corporate training and key-note speaking practice.

The Working Women’s Forum was inspired by Ms. Adelani’s observation that working women do not spend enough time networking as a way to promote their businesses.  “Tragically, most working professionals spend more time behind their desks and little time out there building relationships,” states Adelani.  The evening includes refreshments and the opportunity for mingling and facilitated networking.  Cost is $20 for registration in advance and $25 for admission at the door.  For more information, please call the Retreat Center at (860) 677-8519.

For more information, or to schedule an interview, please contact Our Lady of Calvary Retreat Center, 31 Colton Street, Farmington, CT 06032

Sister Ann Rodgers, Program Director, 860-677-8519

The following article appeared in the February edition of the Calvarian On-line, the Retreat Center’s new e-newsletter.  If you’d like to receive this monthly newsletter, call 860-677-8519 or visit our website at http://www.ourladyofcalvary.com to sign up.

Reflections on “One with the Vine”

As January draws to a close and I ponder this year’s retreat theme and the recent inauguration ceremony, I have a sense that we long for connections in the midst of disconnected lives-connections to ourselves, to others, to the world we live in. Most of all, we yearn to connect with the sacred. February is the month of “the feast of hearts,” Valentine’s day. It seems LOVE is in the air and yet we are journeying this winter with harsh cold winds and layers of frozen earth. I marvel at how brave the trees and living things must be to stand so well through wintertime. I marvel, too, at the people who have come to Our Lady of Calvary facing the winters of their lives with courage and hope.

As our theme so beautifully reminds us, courage and love are drawn from an inner source. Being “One with the Vine” enables us to know that we are not alone. It reminds us that we can-despite fear-risk and face the challenges of our lives. We are called to be fruitful branches, nurtured by our intimate relationship with God to be open to pruning and to bearing fruit in abundance. May you experience this winter the unfolding of spiritual growth and movement, and know that the presence of God is within and around us all.

Sr. Ann Rodgers, Program Director

Our Lady of Calvary Retreat Center in Farmington offers the opportunity to start the year off right by providing a place to enjoy quiet, solitude and opportunity for prayer.  Those who yearn for a long weekend spent in a quiet and contemplative atmosphere are invited to a Silent Directed Retreat, February 5-8.  During the weekend, retreatants will have the opportunity to meet regularly with one of seven Spiritual Directors.  Weekend arrival begins after 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 5.  Retreatants will depart on Sunday, February 8 at noon. All meals are included.
Spiritual Direction is appropriate for anyone with a personal commitment to prayer, but especially when you desire to deepen your relationship with God; when you have experienced a significant transition or loss; when you are discerning critical life choices; or when you feel a “restlessness” for something more in life.
The cost for the weekend is $250, and it is open to women and men.  Private retreats are also offered at $50 per day throughout the long weekend.  Available Spiritual Directors include: Sister Joan Bernard, OP; Mary Blume; Anne Burns; Sister Joanne Fahey, CP; Marguerite Janelle; Sister Ann Rodgers, CP; and Sister Pauline Semkow, RSM. Please call the retreat house at (860) 677-8519 for a brochure and registration form, or visit their website at http://www.ourladyofcalvary.com.

For more information, or to schedule an interview, please contact Our Lady of Calvary Retreat Center, 31 Colton Street, Farmington, CT 06032

Sister Ann Rodgers, Program Director, 860-677-8519
Sheri Dursin, Marketing and Promotions Coordinator, 860-677-8519, sheridursin@comcast.net

Library at OLC

Women of all ages and walks of life are invited to attend one of nine weekend retreats at Our Lady of Calvary Retreat Center, located at 31 Colton Street in Farmington.  These retreats offer women the chance to take a step back to look at where they have been, where they are going, and how they are getting there.  The natural beauty of the grounds and the peaceful atmosphere of the OLC Retreat House can provide a much-needed break from the busy routine of life.  Retreat weekend activities include conference talks, Mass and Reconciliation, personal reflection time, prayer services, and the opportunity to meet one-on-one with retreat team members.  Themed retreats are offered on the following weekends: January 30-February 1; February 20-22; February 27-March 1; March 6-8, 13-15, 20-22, 27-29; and May 1-3.  A silent theme weekend will be offered on May 29-31.  Arrival time for all weekends is 7:00 p.m. on Friday, and departure follows the 11:45 a.m. Sunday Mass.
The theme for this year’s retreat season is “One with the Vine,” which is taken from John 15:5 – “I am the vine, you are the branches.”  Participants are called to ponder the reality underlying these words of Jesus, as they open themselves up to a deeper understanding of our union with Jesus and our dependence on Him.
Retreat weekends are offered on a sliding scale from $185-200.  To register, please call the retreat house at (860) 677-8519, or visit their website at http://www.ourladyofcalvary.com.

For more information, or to schedule an interview, please contact Our Lady of Calvary Retreat Center, 31 Colton Street, Farmington, CT 06032

Sister Ann Rodgers, Program Director, 860-677-8519
Sheri Dursin, Marketing and Promotions Coordinator, 860-677-8519, sheridursin@comcast.net

Winter at Our Lady of Calvary

We dream of a future season in which our dormitories are air conditioned, our outdoor statues are refurbished, our grounds are beautified with gardens, a prayerful labyrinth, and walking trails through our peace-filled natural settings. We dream of a Conference Room equipped with a state-of-the-art multi-media system in order to diversify our programs. We always dream of a season in which scholarships are readily available for every guest who requests assistance.

Please consider a donation to our annual appeal.
http://www.ourladyofcalvary.com/Annual_Appeal.html

May the Blessings of the Season be Yours,
The Passionist Sisters

Join Our Lady of Calvary’s group on Facebook. Connect with other retreatants, share photos, experiences and stories. Receive invitations to events at OLC.

Our Lady of Calvary

Friends of Our Lady of Calvary Retreat Center are invited to a special “Celebration of Giving” on Sunday, January 4. Doors open at 2:45 pm and a special Liturgy to celebrate the feast of Epiphany will be held at 3:00 pm. Refreshments will follow. Individuals and families are invited to bring an offering of a non-perishable food item and a finger food or dessert to share. There will be an optional grab bag for gifts of a $5-$10 value.

Advance registration is appreciated. For more information, please call the Retreat Center at (860) 677-8519, or visit their website at http://www.ourladyofcalvary.com.

For more information, or to schedule an interview, please contact: Our Lady of Calvary Retreat Center, 31 Colton Street, Farmington, CT 06032

Sheri Dursin, Marketing and Promotions Coordinator, 860-677-8519, sheridursin@comcast.net
Sister Ann Rodgers, Program Director, 860-677-8519
Sister Theresina Scully, Administrator, 860-677-8519

maple leaf
Originally uploaded by marystrain

Spiritual direction helps us to recognize God’s active presence in our daily lives. As one of the spiritual directors here at Our Lady of Calvary Retreat I’d like to share some general observations about the ministry of spiritual direction.

In their book, The Practice of Spiritual Direction, co-authors Connolly and Barry describe spiritual direction as a process that enables the seeker “to pay attention to God’s personal communication to her/him… to grow in intimacy with this God and to live out the consequences of the relationship.” The description appeals to me and I have found that it comes alive in this ministry. It points to the movement of our entire life toward God. Wherever truth is spoken in love ~ whether over a cup of coffee, on the phone, in the workplace, on the highway or in our prayer, the Holy Spirit has an open door. I am struck by God’s sensitivity to our moment of readiness, God’s knowledge of each of us, God’s insight into our personal giftedness, and God’s ways of connecting with us through out gift. Many people gifted with a vivid imagination easily enter into a scripture scene with Jesus. For them the revelation of their own inner dynamics has been known to emerge as they prayed this way. For others nature becomes a channel of communication – briefly glimpsing a rainbow, one may consider it God’s invitation to trust. Memories are often bearers of God’s call, God’s support. People with verbal skills have been able to grasp in words something of the mystery of God in poetry, in image-making, in song. In solitude some experience the closeness of God.

Conversation with a companion can lead to greater enlightenment in these situations. Prayerful listening to God is essential. A willingness to wait, noticing God’s interventions, attentiveness to inner listening and the stirrings of the Spirit, cherishing the unexpected insight – all of these are precious moments in our journey toward intimacy with God.

If you are feeling drawn to experience being immersed in a quiet and contemplative atmosphere you might consider a Silent Directed Retreat.

At Our Lady of Calvary we will be offering two long-weekend experiences and one week-long Silent Directed Retreat.
Long weekends: Thursday, Feb. 5 – Sunday, Feb. 8, 2009
Thursday, June 25 – Sunday, June 28, 2009
Week long: Thursday, June 25 – Thursday, July 2, 2009

Ann Rodgers, C.P.

Last Sunday, I was invited to attend the Closing Ceremony of the Men’s Tres Dias Retreat.
I was honored having been with the retreatants for three days and being moved by their enthusiasm for the Lord and their compassion for one another.  Participants shared the blessing of diversity: many faith communities were represented, many ages and national backgrounds were represented, many ways of approaching their awesome God … in quiet contemplation, in song and poetry, in group and individual prayer, in creativity and resounding laughter. But one focus helped to bind these Christian men together: their love for one another and their commitment to bring His word and grace to everyone they encountered.    Their faith was REAL!

Seven men made a covenant with their Lord and gave testimony of their willingness to follow in His ways of service and unconditional love.  Their testimony brought tears to the eyes of supportive members of their Tres Dias Community. Their testimony of faith through service and the dedicated presence and service of their community  of believers and friends brought tears to my eyes.  If only, more of us could resonate with their joy and passion… what a more Christ-centered world we would experience.

I heard in my heart throughout that inspirational ceremony of faith … “We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord… and they’ll know we are Christians by our love!”  I pray that you hear this song in your heart today … as your faith touches all those whose path you cross.  May our faith be REAL!

Theresina Scully, CP

“Keeping the Faith” is the focus of a program offered by Father Stephen Haslach, CP, on November 5 at Our Lady of Calvary Retreat Center in Farmington.  Participants will examine various challenges to faith due to changes in personal lives, in the church, and in society.  The program will be offered as both a daytime session (9 am – 2 pm) and an evening session (7-9 pm).  The day program includes prayer, a conference, quiet reflection time, and an opportunity to meet with Father Haslach and to share insights in an open session.  After lunch, the day program concludes with Mass.  The evening program includes prayer, a conference, reflection time, and an open session for sharing.
Father Haslach is a Passionist priest, educator and retreat presenter.  He has been pastor in parishes and is presently supplying in St. Dominic Parish, Southington.
A $25 offering is requested for either program, and both are open to women and men.  Advance registration is appreciated.  For more information, please call the retreat house at (860) 677-8519, or visit their website at http://www.ourladyofcalvary.com.