Fall retreats at SFRH
The St. Francis Retreat House in Easton, Pa.
St. Francis Retreat House in Easton, Pa., is looking forward to two presenters coming to offer weekend retreats in September. Christina R. Zaker, D.Min., the director of field education and adjunct lecturer in pastoral ministry and spirituality at Catholic Theological Union, Chicago, Ill, will be offering “Surprised by God: Glimpses of Grace and the Courage to Respond,” Sept. 16-18.
Christina R. Zaker
Christina said, “As people who serve and accompany others, we often find it hard to slow down and recognize the movement of God in our own lives. Refining our skills of theological reflection is one critical way to attune our hearts to God’s presence and stay grounded on our journey of faith.”
Drawing from the wisdom of the parables, she will encourage us to recognize God’s surprising nearness, to explore what that nearness means and what it demands of us Christians.
Christina is a practical theologian with a focus on cultivating reflective practitioners in a variety of settings. Her recent book, Surprised by God: Teaching Reflection through the Parables (2020), develops parable as a lens for theological reflection with a focus on reflective practice that intersects with justice.
This weekend retreat will be valuable for all involved in ministry, spiritual direction, religious education and those who want to grow deeper in their understanding of the parables and theological reflection. Onsite participation: private room with bath, all meals and materials: $285. Virtual participation: $100. Commuters: $210.
Fr. Greg Friedman, OFM
Later in the month, Greg Friedman, OFM, a veteran pilgrimage leader to Assisi, Rome and the Holy Land, will be offering a weekend retreat called “Pilgrimage with St. Francis of Assisi,” Sept. 30-Oct. 2. During this retreat, Greg will lead participants on a pilgrimage to four key places in the story of St. Francis.
“In the process, we will seek to allow Francis’ journey to influence ours — conversion, vocation, identification with Christ and a challenge to return to the world in Franciscan mission,” he said.
Greg is a Franciscan priest of Our Lady of Guadalupe Province, with headquarters in Albuquerque, N.M. He serves as the Secretary-Treasurer of the Province and as communications director.
His presentation style is one filled with historical and inspirational content, along with artwork and photos. Greg is also best known for his video reflections on the Sunday Gospels at the U.S. Bishops’ website. Onsite participation: private room with bath, all meals and materials: $270. Virtual participation: $80. Commuters: $195.
For more information or to register, please contact the retreat house via the website at www.stfrancisretreathouse/retreats.org, or by phone at 610-258-3053. Scholarships are available. Peace and all goodness!
This article first appeared in the SJB News Notes.
