St.
Paul of the Cross Retreat Center
Our
Fall Mini-Series Continue in 2001
Updated:
August 29, 2001
St. Paul of the
Cross Retreat Center will continue its Fall monthly mini-series day and
evening programs with a "Coffee and Conversation
Series" entitled: Coffee
and Conversation with St. John of the Cross his life, his Poetry and Sayings
of Light and Love and Coffee
and Conversation with St. John of the Cross The Ascent of Mount Carmel
and an evening mini-series on The
Spirituality of St. Therese of Lisieux.
.
Please call
the Retreat Center office at (412) 381-7676 to register, e-mail us at stpaulrc@sgi.net,
or register online.
Coffee and Conversation
with St. John of the Cross
Presenters: 
Dr. Susan Stangl and 
Rev. Paul Vaeth, C.P.
Segment One
The Life of John of
the Cross, his Poetry and Sayings of Light and Love
September 12, 19 and
26, 2001
Segment Two
The Ascent of Mount
Carmel
October 24, 31, November
7, 14, 21, 28 and December 5, 2001
Presented Five Consecutive
Wednesday Mornings and Evenings
Each Topic will be
Presented
In the Morning from 9:30-11:00 A.M.
and then Repeated
In
the Evening from 7:30 to 9:00 P.M.
One of the truly remarkable mystical Writers of all time, St. John of
the Cross's profound understanding of religious experience is beautifully
expressed in the imagery and symbolism of his many works. The principal
theme of St. John's works concerns the mystical way of love: love of God
and love of life. In his works St. John points out that the mystical way
involves a desire to let go of every distraction. It involves striving
to live in confident faith, unrelenting hope, and, the consuming demands
of love.
The complete works of St. John of the Cross will be the topic matter of
the "Coffee and Conversation Series" for the 2001-2002 Adult Formation
Enrichment Series conducted at St. Paul of the Cross Retreat Center presented
by Rev. Paul Vaeth, C.P., and Dr. Susan Stangl.
The first segment of the sequence, a three-part mini series designed to
acquaint individuals with the life of John of the Cross, his Poetry
and Sayings of Light and Love will be offered on Wednesday mornings
and evenings, September 12, 19 and 26 from 9:30-11:00 A.M. and again from
7:30 to 9:00 P.M. The offering for the first segment is $24.00 plus
text.
The second segment of the sequence is a seven-part mini-series intended
to familiarize participants with The Ascent of Mount Carmel, one of the
greatest spiritual classics ever written on the manner of ascending to
God. The Ascent of Mount Carmel will be offered on Wednesday
mornings and evenings, October 24, 31, November 7, 14, 21, 28 and December
5 from 9:30-11:00 A.M. and again from 7:30 to 9:00 P.M. The offering
for the second segment $56.00.
Participants are asked to read assigned segments of the text in advance.
The text to be used is the Collected Works of St. John of the Cross,
revised edition, translated by Kieran Kavanaugh and Otilio Rodriguez. Please
contact St. Paul's Retreat Center to pre-register and if you wish to order
a book. A non-refundable $10.00 registration fee is requested for each
segment of the Series.
Accreditation
for Continuing Education Units has been granted by the Diocese of Pittsburgh
for those attending this series.
SEGMENT
ONE SCHEDULE
Coffee
and Conversation with St. John of the Cross
September
12: The Life and Times of St. John of the Cross
Born in the 16th
Century Spain, Juan de Yepes y Alvarez became a Carmelite monk in 1563
and in 1568, one year after ordination, took the name - John of the Cross.
Along with his countrywoman, Teresa of Avila, John led the reform of male
Carmelite monasteries emphasizing a life of contemplation and austerity.
John's attempt at reform led to his imprisonment where he began to compose
some of his finest work. This morning's/evening's topic considers the climate
of 16th Century Spain as well as the personality and life of one of the
greatest saints of that time and all times: St. John of the Cross.
September
19: The Resplendent Poetry of St, John of the Cross
Considered by many
as "the loftiest poet of Spain' the Poetry of John of the Cross is an exquisite
expression of his mystical experience. Always turning to Scripture for
his inspiration John blends the challenging Word of God within the context
of his own life. What emerges is an inspiring symbolic expression which
invites all who love God into the intimate knowledge of the Divine Mystery.
The focus of today's topic is "The Resplendent Poetry of St. John of the
Cross."
September
26: The Sayings of Light and Love
While John was spiritual
director at the convent of the Incarnation in Avila he began the practice
of jotting down thoughts and concise spiritual counsels for those whom
he directed, john's counsels were his attempt to provide inspirational
sayings of spiritual wisdom for individuals and groups of persons. Always
intent on leading the souls of others into God John's Sayings of Light
and Love are gems of the most precious kind. This morning and evening we
will be admiring the Sayings of Light and Love with reflection and prayer.
SEGMENT
TWO SCHEDULE
Coffee
and Conversation with St. John of the Cross on The Ascent of Mount Carmel
October
24: "One Dark Night..."
The opening words
of John's most renowned poem sets the theme and tone of The Ascent of Mount
Carmel. Consideration, this morning/evening, will be given to the meaning
and segments of "night" as John presents them in his opening chapters.
October
31: Entering the Night of Sense
The necessity of
passing through the "night" is philosophically, theologically and Scripturally
supported laying the foundation of John's entire treatise. As we enter
the "night of sense" we will attend to these supports, consider their meaning
and importance and then move on to consider John's counsels for entering
this first "night."
November
7: "Ah, the Sheer Grace..."
The means of ascending
to God is founded upon faith. Book Two of The Ascent describes how the
sheer grace of faith carries the soul into the Second "night" of its journey
the "night of the spirit." The focus of this morning's/evening's Conversation
will concern the dynamics of faith as we move and are carried into greater
union with God.
November
14: The Mystery of the Night
Many apprehensions
are experienced as we make the spiritual ascent. Our conversation this
morning and evening will consider the internal and external apprehensions
that occur as we move toward greater union with God. Focus will also be
given to the manner in which God attends to those who have committed themselves
to moving into the Mystery of the Night.
November
21: Ascents in the Night of Spirit
As we continue our
Ascent of Mount Carmel certain intellectual apprehensions begin to be experienced
in a purely spiritual way. In this morning's and evening's reading and
conversation, John of the Cross reflects upon what these apprehensions
are and why they occur. Additionally, John presents advice to those who
find themselves at this stage of ascent in the Night of Spirit.
November
28: The Purgative Dimensions of Darkness
Purification of the
memory through hope and of the will through love makes up the purgative
dimensions of darkness found in the Night of the Spirit. As we think about
this process of spiritual growth we will consider how the purgative dimensions
of darkness is the process which removes all that gets in the way of our
being able to experience the fullness of God's life in our own.
December
5: "My House Now Being All Stilled..."
As love purifies
the will of all disordered emotions and inordinate passions there emerges
an experience of joy. As the summit of Mount Carmel comes into distant
view, John of the Cross enlightens his readers on the dynamics of joy and
how it should be directed toward God.
Offering
is $24.00 plus text for Segment One and $56.00 for Segment Two (The coffee
is free!)
Please call
the Retreat Center office at (412) 381-7676 to register, e-mail us atstpaulrc@sgi.net,
or register online.
The Spirituality
of St. Therese of Lisieux
Presented By: 
Dr. Salvatore J. Mascari
October
2, 9, and 16, 2000
7:30 to 9:00 P.M.
St. Therese received her mission directly from God. Pius XI called ThOrese
"a word of God, a master of the Spiritual Life." Pope Pius XII declared
her "Little Way of Spiritual hildhood" suitable for all God's people.
.
Therese's message was that "God is merciful love, a love that stoops down
in order to draw us to Himself." Her mission was to teach usa way of confidence
and love in this God, to love Him as much as she did.
.
Two months before Therese died she wrote: "I feel that my mission is just
beginning, my mission of making others love the good Lord as I love Him
and giving to souls my little way. It is the way of spiritual childhood,
the way of confidence and total abandonment to God.
.
We must realize as a child, that everything in life is a GIFT and comes
from the good Lord to each of us, for which Therese would say, Thank You,
Jesus! Therese believed that her little way of love was a Divine Revelation
and when she put it into practice God was very happy. When she performed
a little "Nothing,' as she called her actions, it was like putting a rose
at the feet of Jesus.
.
Come as a small child with total and complete trust in the Lord and together
with the help of St. Therese we will make Jesus smile and make God very
happy.
SCHEDULE
October
2: Spiritual Childhood (The Way of Holiness)
Humility,
Spiritual Poverty, Confidence
.
October
9: Abandonment to God (Proof of Love)
Simplicity,
Therese's love within the mystical body
.
October
16: Suffering (Part of Divine Providence)
Jesus'
place in the life and spirituality of Therese ... "To be Christo-Centric."
Offering
is $24.00
Please
call the Retreat Center Office at (412) 381-7676 to register or e-mail
us at stpaulrc@sgi.netfor
information.
.
.
REGISTRATION
FORM for the Spirituality Classic Mini-Series
.
The Spirituality
of St. Therese of Lisieux
.
Purpose:
Come as a small child with total and complete trust in the Lord and together
with the help of St. Therese we will make Jesus smile and make God very
happy.
.
Accreditation
for Continuing Education Units has been granted by the Diocese of Pittsburgh
for those attending this series.
.
Date: Turesday
evenings.
.
October 2, 9, and 16, 2001
.
Time: 7:30
- 9:00 P.M.
.
Offering
is $24.00 for the Series
.
Name: _____________________________________
.
Address: ______________________________________
.
City: ________________________ State: ________
Zip: ___________
.
Telephone Number: ________________________
.
Please mail this form, with your deposit
to:
.
St. Paul of the Cross Retreat Center
148 Monastery Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15282
.
.REGISTRATION
FORM
Coffee and Conversation with St.
John of the Cross
.Purpose:Coffee
and Conversation with St. John of the Cross Segment One is a three-part
mini-series designed to acquaint individuals with the life of John of the
Cross, his Poetry, and Sayings of Light and Love. The second segment
of the sequence is a seven-part mini-series intended to familiarize participants
with The Ascent of Mount Carmel.
.
Accreditation
for Continuing Education Units has been granted by the Diocese of Pittsburgh
for those attending this series.
.
Date:
Wednesday mornings or evenings.
.
September 12, 19, and 26, 2001
October 24, 31, November 7, 14, 21, 28, and December 5, 2001
.
Time:
9:30 - 11:00 AM or 7:30 - 9:00 P.M.
.
Offering
is $24.00 plus text for Segment One and $56.00 for Segment Two
.
Name: _____________________________________
.
Address: ______________________________________
.
City: ________________________ State: ________
Zip: ___________
.
Telephone Number: ________________________
.
Please mail this form, with your deposit
to:
.
St. Paul of the Cross Retreat Center
148 Monastery Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15282
.
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