September -A Word from the Program Director

A WORD FROM MARTHA CAMPBELL

With the coming of fall, we begin another ministry year. We take as our inspiration Ignatius Loyola, the “Imperfect Pilgrim,” who challenges us to radical trust in Christ whose mission we embrace. Here is where you will find us serving Christ’s mission in northeastOhio:

Praying with St. Ignatius Parish Retreats. On August 18^th, three leadership teams were commissioned to take the retreat to three sites: Assumption Parish (Broadview Heights) will host this 8-week retreat on Tuesdays beginning September 18^th. The leadership team includes co-leaders Kathy Haag and Bill Hunt and facilitators Pat Cleary-Burns, Joan Gucwa, and Dottie Rieman. Our Lady of Mt. Carmel (West) will be the hosting site where its parishioners along with members of Sts. Malachi, Colman, Patrick and Wendelin Parishes will gather on Sunday afternoons beginning September 30th for the retreat experience. The retreat team is comprised of co-leaders Jackie Krejcik and Jan Leitch and facilitators Marcia Lewan, Dottie Rieman and Deborah Zawislan. In addition, Jesuit Retreat House welcomes interested participants to come on Monday evenings beginning September 24^th.  Co-leaders, Jean Sullivan and Peggy Duffy, OSU will be joined by facilitators, Sandy Appeldorn, Carl Toomey, John Carlson and Kathy Michael. Back-up facilitators include: Rita Carfagna, Joan Carney, Andrea McGovern and Ginny Pippin.

Nurturing the Call. Leaders from St. Ignatius and Walsh Jesuit High Schools’ Spirituality Program for Adults will join with retreat leaders from JRH Praying with St. Ignatius Retreat to strengthen their leadership skills while building community. A prayerful, hands-on approach will encourage a radical stance of allowing the Spirit to guide us.

Food for the Journey. This fall and continuing into the winter/spring, we will gather to explore Teresa of Avila’s Interior Castle. We will apply Teresa’s teaching to our  ministries of spiritual direction, retreat leadership and pastoral ministry. There are still a few spaces left.

  CALLED AND SENT SPIRITUAL FORMATION PROGRAM

Living Prayer: My Life in God. This 6-week retreat-in-daily life, a module of the Called and Sent Program, will begin on September 5^th and continue through October 10^th at Blessed Trinity Parish. Please pray for the 8-member team and the 36 parishioners who will be attending this retreat.

Ignatian Spirituality: Grounding for Life and Leadership. Plans continue as we look forward to taking this 7-part module to the St. Ignatius High School Board of Directors.

On August 30^th, Sharon Bramante, Pat Cleary-Burns and Eileen Biehl joined me for our first Round Table brainstorming and planning group in support of the design and development of two new modules, Discernment and Decision Making and The Christian at Work in the World. Both modules will be piloted in the spring.