Sophia Spirituality & Retreat Center
Programmed Retreats

Summer 2007 - March 2008

Sophia Center is a ministry of the Benedictine Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica. All retreats are on the grounds of the monastery, home to nearly two hundred sisters. Spend prayerful time in the inspiring chapels, share in the spiritual and intellectual resources of the sisters and, most importantly, experience worship with a monastic community known for its reverent, beautiful liturgies.

Saturday, July 7 (9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.)
Benedictine Values: Humility
Judith Sutera, OSB
Most definitions of “humility” today are anemic, negative, or depressing. Explore what St. Benedict might have meant by his emphasis on the virtue of humility and what it can mean in one’s life and in today’s world.
Fee: $50 ($10 deposit) Registration deadline: June 23rd


Tuesday, Aug 21, 4:00 p.m. to Sunday, Aug-26, 2007, 1:00 p.m.
Silent Directed Retreat
Staff
Come away for a time and experience the sacred through personal prayer and
daily meetings with a spiritual director. Come away to the quiet of a monastic setting. Give yourself time to listen to the deep desires of your heart. There will be opportunities for daily centering prayer, shared lectio and for individuals to experience working with clay, with art or Tai Chi.
Fee: $350 ($50 deposit) Registration deadline: August 16

Certified Spiritual Directors available for this retreat include Sr. Evelyn Gregory, OSB, Sr. Bernelda Nanneman,OSB, Sr. Micaela Randolph, OSB, Sr. Marcia Ziska, OSB


Friday Aug 17, 7:00 p.m. to Saturday Aug 18, 3:00 p.m.
Praying with Our Lady of Guadalupe
Theresa Torres, OSB
This retreat will be an opportunity to pray and reflect on Our Lady of Guadalupe, of Mary's role as an example for women and men, the importance of living a life of prayer and discipleship. Times for prayer, individually and together, will use reflections on scripture, on the rosary, on our own experiences of striving to follow Mary’s example of love and service.
Fee $100 Deposit $20 Registration deadline: Aug 3.

Sr. Theresa is an associate professor in the Dept. of Sociology and Religious Studies at UMKC and a scholar on the history of Our Lady of Guadalupe and the spirituality of Guadalupanas.


August 24-26, Friday. 7:00 p.m. to Sunday, 2:00 p.m.
Clay and Fire
Alberta Hermann OSB
“Come, go down to the potter’s house and there I will let you hear my Word.”( Cf. Jer 18:2) This retreat will use the medium of clay as a means of meditation on God speaking through the elements of creation and on our role in the continuation of creation.
Fee: $180 Deposit $35 Registration deadline: Aug 10.

Sr. Alberta learned the art of pottery from Sr. Helen Buening and has been assisting retreatants in creating pottery since 2000.


September 8-9, Saturday, 10:00am to Sunday, 1:00 pm
Contemplative Living I
Micaela Randolph, OSB
Is life a problem to be solved or a mystery to be lived? How can we be present to the mystery of life and its Source, who is God? Can we find a “still point” in our lives that allows God to touch us? These days will give us time to practice living in the presence of God and finding ways in which we can continue to grow more deeply into that presence
Fee: $100 Deposit $20 Registration deadline Aug 25.

Sr. Micaela, a staff member of Sophia Center and the Director of the Souljourners program, is a spiritual director and a frequent retreat leader.


September 29, Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Gertrude the Great: Benedictine Mystic, Role Model for Mystics and Contemplatives
Sheila Carroll, OSF
This quiet retreat will introduce you to Gertrude's images, insights, and mystical experience that she received from the Lord. We will be using her writings in prayer, reflections, and talks.
Fee: $50 Deposit $10 Registration deadline: Sept 15

Sr. Sheila is a Franciscan sister who has a D. Min. in Ministry with an emphasisin Mysticism. She has worked in Campus Ministry andfor the past ten years has been givingretreats on the mystics.


October 6, Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Cancer Survivors
Sr. Constance Krstolic, OSB
Is there a difference between being cured and being healed? During our day together we will celebrate the empowerment of the love of Jesus and the support of our families and friends. As we move to greater wholeness and ponder the journey as experienced in our individual lives, we ask the question, “What now?” Fee: $35 Deposit $10 Registration deadline: Sep. 22

Sr. Connie serves as a spiritual director and gives retreats and workshops for individuals, for religious communities, and for corporations and institutions, both at her monastery in Atchison and across the country.


October 12, 13, 14, Friday 7:00 p.m. to Sunday 1:00 p.m.
Wrapped in Prayer
Alice Smitherman , OSB, NACC
Knitting can be a contemplative practice, a time of slowing down, of quiet and centering. It can be a way of reaching out, of extending love and care to someone in need of love and support. Come for a contemplative weekend with other knitters or would be knitters and begin to create a prayer shawl for a loved one or friend.
Fee: $180 Non-refundable deposit $35 Registration deadline: Sep 28.

Sr. Alice is certified as a chaplain by the National Association of Catholic Chaplains, has served in parish caring ministry.


Oct 26-28, Friday 7:00 p.m. to Sunday 12:30 p.m.
Forgive and Remember: A Retreat for People Who Find It Too Easy or Too Hard to Forgive
Donna and Robert Bacic
Retreatants are invited to take time out to reflect on what forgiveness means to them, to explore what has helped and what has hurt their attempts at forgiving another person, and to consider how they might cultivate an inner life that is open to the possibility of forgiveness. The retreat will provide people interior space in which to think, discuss and pray about one of the greatest gifts and challenges in human life.
(This workshop has been approved by the Association of Professional Chaplain for 6 CCE)
Fee: $180 Non-refundable deposit $35 Registration deadline: Oct 12.

Robert Bacic is a pastoral minister on staff at the Church of the Holy Cross in Overland Park, Kansas. He also mediates family, community and workplace disputes on a part-time basis. Donna Bacic is currently a clinical social worker in private practice in Overland Park, KS . She has facilitated the outreach support group for Johnson County Safehome, and has directed retreats.


Nov 8, Thursday 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Illuminating the Word: The Gospel of Matthew
Irene Nowell, OSB
The Gospel of Matthew forms the basis of Cycle A, the approaching lectionary cycle. Sr. Irene, part of the planning committee for the St. John’s Bible, will use the illuminated texts to lead a reflection on the Gospel and its meaning for our lives today.
Fee: 50$ Deposit $10 Registration deadline: Oct 25.

Sr. Irene teaches Scripture both in the classroom and on the web. She has written two books, "Sing a New Song: The Responsorial Psalm in the Sunday Liturgy," and "Women in the Old Testament," both published by Liturgical Press. She also writes frequently for "The Bible Today" and "God’s Word Today." She was a member of the committee on illuminations and texts (CIT) for the Saint John’s Bible.


Nov 10, Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Benedictine Values: Gratitude
Constance Krstolic, OSB
Being “mindful” of the gift that each day of living brings, we practice coming into the presence of God. We respond with grateful praise and experience a peacefulness and calm in the midst of our busy lives as we remember that “the gift we have received we are to give as gift.” (Matthew 10:8.)
Fee: $35 deposit $10 Registration deadline: Sep. 27

Sr. Connie serves as a spiritual director and gives retreats and workshops for individuals, for religious communities, and for corporations and institutions, both at her monastery in Atchison and across the country.


Nov 9-11, Friday 7:00 p.m. to Sunday 4:00 p.m.
The Dream and the Journey
Therese Elias, OSB
This retreat will provide an intensive opportunity to relate to the wisdom and grace to be found in one’s dreams. Special attention will be given to learning to do personal dreamwork and learning the role of prayer in dreamwork. Group work and private guidance will be offered.
Fee: $180 Non-refundable deposit $35 Limit 10 Registration deadline: Oct 26.

Sr. Therese has worked with noted dreamwork teachers and has been leading dream retreats and utilizing dreams in spiritual direction for over 20 years.


Dec 6, Thursday 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
An Advent Retreat
Barbara McCracken, OSB
At the beginning of the pre-Christmas rush, take time to enter prayerfully and reflectively into the spirit of this beautiful season of light and hope.. The focus will be on humility and silence, monastic qualities thatfit rightinto Advent.
Fee: Cost $35 Deposit $10 Registration deadline: Nov. 21.

Sr. Barbara currently works at the Keeler Women's Center in Kansas City, Ks. She has served as consultant for peace and justice with the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, and was a frequent instructor with the Benedictine College Institute for Religious Studies.


December 11,Tuesday 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
O Come, O Come Emmanuel
Gabrielle Kocour, OSB
Come and take some time from your busy lives to spend a few hours in prayer and reflection in quiet anticipation of the promise of Emmanuel for a more loving and peaceful world. Our reflection will be guided by the great ninth century "O antiphons" on which the traditional hymn O come, Come, Emmanuel" is based.
Fee: $ 35 Deposit $10 Registration deadline: Nov. 26

Sr. Gabrielle has a background in Religious Studies and Eco-Spirituality. She has worked in Adult Formation and in Justice and Peace Ministryfor the past several years.


2008

January 22-24,Tuesday 3:00 p.m. to Thursday. 1:00 p.m
Entering the Paschal Mystery
Staff
RICA Directors, parish liturgical and music ministers have an important role in helping people to enter into the spirit of the Paschal Triduum. Often their lives during the Triduum are hectic, so that it is difficult to enter into the experience. This retreat is offered as a way of entering into the spirituality of the Triduum, experiencing anew its power and preparing personally for these important ministries.
Fee: $ 180 Deposit $35 Registration deadline: Dec. 20.


March 6,Wednesday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Unlikely Teachers: Finding the Hidden Gifts in Daily Conflict
Judy Ringer
Most of us go about thinking that life happens to us, that conflict is a negative event, and that our reactions are caused and not under our conscious control. Unlikely Teachers suggests that life events, troublesome people, and difficult problems can be gifts that, while unexpected and often undesired, can help us to grow, learn, strengthen relationships, and invent life in a more purposeful way. This workshop with Judy Ringer will explore some of the ideas in her book by the same title.
(This workshop has been approved by the Association of Professional Chaplains for 6 CCE )
Fee: $100 deposit $20 Registration deadline: Feb 4.

The founder of Power & Presence Training in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Judy specializes in innovative workshops to help you and your organization manage conflict, communicate effectively, and co-create a more positive work environment.


NOTE: Fees include cost of workshop, housing and all meals occurring during the duration of the workshop. If overnight space is available, retreatants may arrange to arrive earlier or stay later.

Participants of all denominations are welcome to attend liturgy with the monastic community. Those attending Saturday workshops that begin at 9:00 a.m. are welcome to join the monastic community for morning prayer at 8:30 a.m. Please arrive at the chapel by 8:15a.m.


Offerings For Any Time of the Year

Clay/Fire Retreat
Alberta Hermann, OSB
Create with clay to express your inner awareness of God working in and through you. Call Sister Alberta at 913-360-6200 or e-mail her at ahermann@mountosb.org to schedule dates.
Fee: dependent on length of retreat arranged.

Massage & Reflexology
Agnes Honz, OSB
Fee: Massage: $40; Reflexology $25
Call for appointment: 913-360-6168


Days of Prayer and In-service, Hospitality for Retreats, Workshops for Faculties and Parish/Congregation Organization The Sophia Center Staff will assist you to develop programs according to your needs. Groups and organizations who wish to schedule retreats or workshops at Sophia Center should do so preferably six months ahead of time to insure that housing and other arrangements will be available. Cost arranged.


SCHOLARSHIPS

To request an application form for a scholarship to attend the retreats or programs we sponsor, write or call Marcia Ziska, OSB, at 913-367-6161. E-mail your request to mziska@mountosb.org. Donations for scholarships will be gratefully accepted. Cash and checks made payable to Sophia Center Scholarship Fund are always welcome.

SOPHIA CENTER GIFT CERTIFICATES

Gift Certificates are available for a family member, friend, associate to participate in a program(s), to receive a massage, or to come away and rest for awhile. Contact Marcia Ziska, OSB.

ENSURING THE FUTURE OF SOPHIA CENTER

Contributions and gifts-in-kind from persons who want to support the future offerings at Sophia Center are essential to the growth of our spiritual ministry. Your gift will help insure the future of Sophia Center. For more information on how you can include Sophia Center in your will or charitable giving, please contact Mary Agnes Patterson, OSB, Development Director, 801 South Eighth St., Mount St. Scholastica, Atchison, KS, 66002-2724, 913-360-6215.

For more information about programs offered by Sophia or to be placed on their mailing list, click here.

Questions?
To contact Sister Eleanor Suther, OSB, Director of Sophia Center
emai:l sophia at mountosb.org
or call: (913) 360-6173
or write:
Sophia Center
751 South 8th St.
Atchison, KS 66002