Date/Time
Date(s) - 07/21/2017 - 07/28/2017
All Day
Location
Canossian Spirituality Center
Categories
JOYFUL AND PROPHETIC WITNESSES
Canossian Daughters of Charity Retreat
July 21-28, 2017
Thomas P. Bonacci, C.P.
Our Retreat is inspired by the XVI General Chapter and the Scriptures of the Church. We are particularly moved by the Spirit of Jesus who flows forth form the wounded heart of Jesus to transform the world through the power of compassion. The transformative power of compassion is the defining mark of Jesus who exemplified by his life and death what it means to be a person and disciple of compassionate self-giving. We will contemplate on the life of Jesus as we seek to do what he has done.
JULY 21, 2017 / FRIDAY – OVERVIEW OF THE RETREAT
Reflections at the Foot of the Cross – The Witness of Mary / John 19: 25-27
We gather with the Mother of Jesus at the Foot of the Cross as we witness the birth of a new community that is not afraid to born in a moment of tragedy. The Beloved and the Mother witness what no one should endure and are born into the new community of the disciples of Jesus who will express themselves in varied and many ways. We, inspired by his Passion and Cross, seek out the poor and broken of this World. We declare through our work of evangelization that their time of crucifixion is finished. They will be loved by us.
JULY 22, 2017 / SATURDAY – JOYFUL WITNESSES
The Empowerment of the First Disciples according to John 1: 35-51
Mary Magdalene and the Women of Galilee (Luke 8: 1-3) contemplated
the Passion of Jesus and lived on the verge of Resurrection
The “Passion of Jesus” refers to his zeal and dedication to the Providence (Kingdom) of God into which the poor and broken are invited as guests of honor. We will explore the Call of the First Disciples who enjoyed the dwelling place of Jesus and savored his hospitality. This joy empowered them to invite others. The Women of Galilee were among his finest disciples. They supported Jesus and the Apostles sensing that there was in Jesus a Spirit that would never die but would be poured out from his wounded heart. They anointed him with love and so empowered us with courage.
JULY 23, 2017 / SUNDAY – THE JOURNEY OF INTEGRATION
An Exploration of Mark 4: 35-41 and the Courage to be yourself
An Exploration of Mark 5: 25-34 and the Courage to claim your dignity
The difficulties of life can frighten us to such an extent that we can only see and fear demise. The madness of the world around us must not become the world within us. Faith is synonymous with courage in the Gospel of Jesus. Jesus invites his disciples to transcend fear and thereby not be defined by their troubles. The inspiring woman of Mark 5: 25-34 sets the example of courageous faith. She claimed her dignity in touching Jesus and so released his power. The poor cry out to us inviting us to touch them and so discover our strength.
JULY 24, 2017 / MONDAY – PROPHETIC WITNESS
An Exploration of Luke 10: 29-37 and the Courage to Care for another
An Exploration of Luke 24: 13-35 and the transformation power of emotions
The courage to walk with Jesus is perceptive of the fact that Jesus walks with us especially when we feel abandoned and forsaken. The essence of prophetic witness is to walk like Jesus in a world where so many feel abandoned and forsaken. We must resist the temptation to think God’s Grace and love is dependent on our achievement and integrity. We are loved by a power beyond our comprehension which empowers us especially when we are hurting, failed, or rejected. This mysterious presence is closer to ourselves than we are to ourselves. There is a fire that burns within our souls. We must enter the hearth of the heart, often through the gate of heartbreak and trouble, to encounter the fire within that empowers us to touch the wounds of others with healing love and respect.
JULY 25, 2017 / TUESDAY – THE JOURNEY CONTINUES
An Exploration of Mark 6: 1-6 and the Blessed and Broken Heart of Jesus
An Exploration of Mark 6: 34-44 and the blessedness that comes from meeting the poor
Rejection is never to be sought but often is experienced especially if we live our lives in the service of others. Ask any parent, lover, or friend. Heartbreak can disempower us to the point of breakdown. We can be shattered by the disappointments of life. Mark 6: 1-6 is a striking insight into the Passion of Jesus. His heart was broken long before any spear was plunged into his side. He recovers and continues his journey of prophetic witness by embracing the heartbreak. Transcending self-pity or resentment, he encounters the poor and broken who touch him in way both healing and transformative. Embrace your emotions. Let your heart be touched by those you seek to help.
JULY 26, 2017 / WEDNESDAY – PROPHETIC LIFE – PROFILES IN DISCIPLESHIP
The Women of Exodus 1:15-2:10 – The Mothers of Liberation / The Sisters of Life
The Women who anointed Jesus – Luke 7: 36-50, Mark 14: 3-9 and John 12: 1-8
The witness of the women of Exodus and those who anointed Jesus must be celebrated and not forgotten in a world that often relegates the contributions of women to human society to the trash can of denial. The Gospel does not emphasize the privilege of men over the courage of women. In fact, the faithful reader / hearer of the Gospel well clearly see the powerful example women provide for anyone who would truly be a faithful disciple of Jesus whether male or female. A disciple of Jesus is not one who seeks power and authority over people. The only prestige there is in being a disciple of Jesus is the zeal to care for others according to the example God reveals in the service of the women who anointed him. These anointing women follow in the tradition of their mothers and sisters of old. We must hear the cry of the poor over and against the powers of oppression.
JULY 27, 2017 / THURSDAY – SURPRISES OF THE GOSPEL / AMBUSHED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT
John 13 and the Washing of the Feet – The New Commandment
Insights into the Holy Spirit – The Paraclete of John 14-16
The “Washing of the Feet” exemplifies what it means to be possessed by the Holy Spirit of God. We are simply stunned that the Lord of All would be the servant of everyone. The Spirit is powerfully symbolized by the waterfall that produces great power and force by falling over a cliff. Jesus falls on his knees to wash the feet of those who would abandon him. He does not allow their rejection to be cause for resentment or bitterness. He does not become the victim of circumstance but rises to the occasion by falling on his knees in loving service. This powerful example must not be reduced to a symbolic nicety. It is our New Commandment. It is our privilege and blessing to discover in how many and varied ways we might wash the feet of others. The Paraclete / Spirit is promised as the outpouring of God into our hearts and lives that we might experience the mind of Jesus in the situations of our lives.
JULY 28, 2017 / FRIDAY – WHAT HINDERS THE GOSPEL / WHAT EMPOWERS THE SELF
Concluding Remarks based on Matthew 28: 17 / Fear and Doubt
We must not be afraid of our fears and doubts! Following the example of the disciples of old, we go forth away way. Our fears are our friends and our doubts are our faithful companions. They help us to appreciate the fears and doubts of so many we encounter in the world. Fears and doubts can be destructive when we deny our deepest emotions and deny what we truly experience. We must be faithful to our instincts if we would be attentive to the promptings of God’s Spirit. The self, our deepest reality, is the dwelling place of God. In each and every one of us, God delights, the Word takes on new flesh, and the Spirit emanates. The greatest gift you will ever give is the gift of the person of yourself. It is not your talent, time, or treasure that is the greatest of these, it is you.
THE INSTITUTE FOR THE STUDY OF THE PASSION
THE CHRIST THE KING PASSIONIST RETREAT CENTER
CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA
Thomas P. Bonacci, C.P.
The Interfaith Peace Project
640 Bailey Road #301
Pittsburg, CA 94565
(925) 787-9279
[email protected]
interfaithpeaceproject.org
Added by : admin@interfaith
Off