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Spiritual Renewal Center E-Newsletter

Grounded In God:
Spirituality for Changing Times…

“At every crossroad be prepared to bump into wonder.” James Broughton

Join us for this evening of reflection, when we will focus on how we can become grounded in God and the reality of God”s sacred Presence even in the midst of the chaos of our present age. How can we make sense of the times in which we live? Where is God in the midst of it all?

Mary Ellen Curtin, C.S.J., retreat and a staff spiritual director, will facilitate the event. Mary Ellen always brings great insight and inspiration to all her presentations, and we hope you’ll be able to come and be blessed by her words.

”Grounded in God: Spirituality for Changing Times” will be offered at the Spiritual Renewal Center on Thursday, February 11, from 7 to 9 p.m. We ask $15 fee for the evening, or whatever you can afford. Contact the Center by phone or by email to register.
Following Jesus On the Way:
Our 24 Hour Retreat for 2010…
We all want to grow in our relationship with the risen Jesus, and sometimes getting some time away from daily routine can help us to refocus on following Him more closely as a disciple.

“Following Jesus on the Way” is the theme for our annual “Twenty-Four Hour Retreat,” to be held at Stella Maris Retreat Center in Skaneateles on March 5 and 6, 2010.

The event begins on Friday evening with arrival at 7 p.m., and concludes at 7 p.m. on Saturday evening. The retreat includes three presentations given by members of the Center staff, a Eucharistic liturgy, time for silence and personal prayer, and an opportunity to meet privately with a spiritual director, if desired. The fee for the retreat is $110. For more information or to register, contact the Spiritual Renewal Center.
A Word from Jim Krisher,
Director of the Spiritual Renewal Center

Here is a guided imagery meditation, originally published in my first book, Spiritual Surrender: Yielding Yourself To a Loving God, which you may find useful for approaching the mystery of the cross. After centering yourself in silence, read through the meditation below, using your imagination to reflect on the words and their meaning.

It is a gray and cloudy day. You have been walking a long time, and your legs are growing weary from the journey. The hillside you have been climbing is very steep, and now for a brief moment, you pause to survey the surrounding countryside.

All is wrapped in mist, a mist that obscures the distance and gives the whole landscape a soft dreamlike quality. It is very silent here on this hillside, very still. No sound comes to your ears, no breeze stirs the moist warm air.

You see that the surface of the ground where you stand is covered with footprints. You realize that untold numbers of people have come, like you, to climb this holy hill. You see footprints large and small, footprints on top of footprints. Centuries of pilgrims have made this same journey to this holy place.

It is a place from time, yet it belongs to all time. It is the holy hill of Calvary.

You resume your climb and very soon reach the crest of the hill. There before you, stark against the gray sky, is the cross of Jesus. There, before your eyes, is your brother, your savior, pinned to the wood of the cross. Take a few moments now to look at Jesus in his passion.

You notice that his eyes are upon you. Even before you gazed upon him his gaze was fixed upon you. He is looking at you from his cross. Look into the eyes of Jesus.

Then, Jesus’ lips part. He speaks to you, and says simply “for you.” What do you want to say to Jesus right now?

Yes, yours are the sufferings he bears, yours the sorrows he carries. Through his wounds you are healed. Now offer to Jesus crucified your sorrows or sufferings. Tell him of the areas of your life where you are hurting. Ask him to heal you. Be attentive to what he may say, or do, in response.

There is someone else you know who is also in need of Jesus’ healing. Talk to Jesus now about that person.

It is nearly time for you to leave. Take a moment now to walk closer to the cross. Reach up your hand, and touch the feet of Jesus. Let your touch communicate to him how much you love him, how much you care.

Turn and begin your descent from the hill of Calvary back into the world Jesus died for, the world where the crucified Jesus can be touched in the flesh of any who suffer. Down the misty hillside you walk.

Conclude your prayer by expressing your gratitude to Jesus for his unending sacrifice and love.
Save the Dates!

• Wednesday, March 10. An Evening of Renewal – Lecto Divinia, presented by Mary Sinnott at 7 p.m.
• Thursday, April 29. An Evening of Renewal on Ignation Spirituality, presented by Fr. Joseph Tetlow.
• Friday Morning, April 30. A seminar for spiritual directors and pastoral ministers presented by Fr. Joseph Tetlow
• Friday Afternoon, April 30. A seminar for people working with the Ignatian exercises, and those who have completed the Ignatian exercises, presented by Fr. Joseph Tetlow.

Continuing Center Offerings

Catch the Spirit
Tuesday Morning 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Contemplative Prayer Group
Wednesday evenings 5:30 – 6:30 pm

Library Hours
9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Mon. thru Friday with extended hours on Thursday untill 8 p.m.

Gift Shop
Open 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Mon. thru Friday with extended hours on Thursday until 8 p.m.

Contact Us
Phone: 315-472-6546
Email: mail@SpiritualRenewalCenter.com

Spiritual Renewal Center
1118 Court St., Suite B
Syracuse, NY 13208
Website: www.SpiritualRenewalCenter.com

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