On June 6, Jesuit Retreat House Board Members and Administrative Staff completed Grounded for Life. This six-session formation series introduces key aspects of Ignatian Spirituality (prayer, discernment, just action) to groups such as boards, parish councils, work teams, ecumenical groups, spiritual leaders, and neighborhood groups. Themes from the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius that are emphasized include: the Principle and Foundation, the Presence of Divine Mystery in all of Creation, God’s Unconditional Love, God’s Call to Friendship, and Service.
Becoming “Contemplatives in Action” is a strong theme of this formation module. On the final evening, Board Members and Staff reflected on how their collective journey through formation changed how they viewed their work and one another. “TRUST!” one board member declared, “this process increased our level of trust.” Participants also praised facilitators Martha Campbell and Fr. Don Petkash, S.J. for their exceptional skills for leading the group into more communal prayer and decision making. “We will be a stronger Board and Staff for this experience, and for that we are most grateful.”
Moving forward themes and prayer practices from Grounded for Life will be intentionally threaded into ongoing Board and Staff meetings at JRH. Participants left feeling recommitted to daily practice of the Examen and look forward to using a modified version of the practice at upcoming board meetings.
To book Grounded for Life for your group, council, board, organization, or neighborhood, contact Martha Campbell.
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