December 1 and 2, 2012
FALLING UPWARD: THE SPIRIT OF RETIREMENT
Led by Patricia Blakely and Jean Freeman
Saturday: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Sunday: 1 – 4 p.m.
Cost: $100 includes lunch on Saturday
This retreat was a popular option last year at the House of Prayer in the City. Now we are offering it at the House of Prayer in Collegeville, retaining the format as a two-day retreat with no overnight stay. Overnight stays are available as individuals for an additional $60. If enough people are interested in staying overnight, we will arrange a meal plan as well.
This two-day retreat is designed especially for those in or approaching the post-career stage of life we usually call “retirement.” For many of us, this important life transition brings up essential spiritual questions:
~ Who am I now?
~What is the spiritual purpose of this stage of life?
~Why do I feel this “bright sadness”?
~In a culture obsessed with youth and dismissive of age, whose voices do I listen to for guidance?
We’ll look to wisdom figures ancient and modern, consulting in particular Richard Rohr’s book Falling Upward: A Spirituality For The Two Halves of Life. We’ll employ contemplative practices and simple spiritual exercises to hear the wisdom of our own “still, small voice.” Together we’ll explore the questions that matter most to us now – and share our discoveries.
About the Facilitators:
Patricia Blakely is a former publishing executive and now a spiritual director. She received her spiritual direction certification and master’s degree in theology from St. Catherine University.
Jean Freeman enjoyed a long career in organization development and corporate consulting and is on the cusp of her post-career life. They are both members of the Contemplative Body of the House of Prayer and have facilitated previous retreats there.