At the General Chapter of 2008, one of the five priorities for the next eight years, communally discerned by the Religious of the Sacred Heart, was a Priority for Young People. Specifically, the RSCJ made decisions to reach out to young people and provide opportunities and accompaniment where their longing for spirituality and RSCJ spirituality converge.
Just a few of the ways RSCJ are reaching out around the U.S. include hiking retreats for those who like to combine physical fitness with spiritual fitness, busy persons retreats for people in the Network of Sacred Heart schools, and life direction retreats for young adults in their twenties and thirties.
Hiking Retreats
For example, a Spirituality Out-of-Doors hiking retreat, organized by Mary Frohlich and Diane Roche will take place at Fillmore Lodge, Spearfish Canyon, South Dakota, from June 4 to 12, 2010. Designed for people who want to “find God in the intimacy of all creation,” this nine-day, up close and personal experience of living among God’s creatures will include daily reflections and, if desired, individual spiritual direction - in addition to simply living simply, in harmony with nature. The words of St. John of the Cross describe this experience when he says: “I will head to the mountains,” and praises the “green meadows coated bright with flowers,” and speaks of “resounding rivers” and “the time of the rising dawn.”
For images that illustrate these words, see the slideshow to the right, and for more information contact Mary Frohlich, RSCJ, at frohlich@ctu.edu
Busy Persons Retreats
Since Lent of 2007 when the San Francisco schools asked Lisa Buscher to create a special prayer experience, these popular retreats have taken place in nine different Network schools (some schools have held more than one) -- and more Busy Persons Retreats are being scheduled for the 2010-11 school year.
A Busy Person’s Retreat is an on-campus, guided prayer retreat made within the daily activities of life at a Sacred Heart school. Faculty and staff who wish to make the retreat commit to the week-long experience by setting aside one hour each day for prayer and a meeting with their chosen spiritual companion/director.
Rooted in St. Madeleine Sophie’s ideal of Saintes Savantes, (wise saints – holy educators) these retreats provide the opportunity to reflect deeply on the challenge Sacred Heart educators have to cultivate transformation in the lives of their students – and at the same time, foster within themselves a delicate attentiveness to the presence of God.
For further information about Busy Person’s Retreats, contact Lisa Buscher, RSCJ, at lbuscher@rscj.org.
Life Directions Retreats
Many young adults in their twenties and thirties are searching for the next steps in life. The decisions they face are numerous: Shall I marry this person or not? Shall I leave my job to pursue my education, or is it preferable to get more work experience first? What way of life do I feel called to pursue – marriage, religious life, international work for social justice, law, teaching, etc.? Meeting young adults at this juncture is a prime opportunity for RSCJ to share helpful aspects of their life: deep spirituality, insight into the art and skills of discernment, and commitment to community as the context for discernment.
While the use of this retreat model began more than ten years ago, it has gained momentum in the last four years as several RSCJ from various parts of the province have facilitated retreats in New York City, Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, San Diego, and Asheville, NC. Life Directions Retreats offer a distinct way to be of service to young people and to provide opportunities to include those discerning a religious vocation. Approximately 166 young adults have participated in the last four years.
For more information about Life Directions Retreats, contact Barbara Quinn, RSCJ, at bquinn@usd.edu or Marianne Ruggeri, RSCJ, at mruggeri@rscj.org .
