Wow it has been very busy time here at the Center! On May 5th we hosted World Labyrinth Day. The day started off with a Fair-Trade sale, that is merchandise from Ten Thousand Villages. These items are hand crafted in many countries all over the world. All sales help lift families out of poverty in those countries. At lunch we celebrated with an international feast that featured flavors from all around the world. Lastly, everyone joined for prayer around the labyrinth. St. James 8th graders spent the day outside for their retreat with Fr. Timothy Armbruster, C.P.P.S., as the leader for the day. Many meetings scheduled here at the Center included, the New Creation Commission Meeting, Finance Committee of the New Creation Meeting and the Peace & Justice Committee to name a few.
Bridges to Contemplative Living with Thomas Merton group meet here regularly on the second and fourth Thursdays of the Month. The Bridges program is about people being led on a journey toward spiritual transformation and a more contemplative and peace filled life. We hosted a “Fourth Thursday Dinner” for the KC/ST JOE diocesan priest that was well received. Prayer for Life group meet here for their Saturday day of peace in May.
June 1st, we hosted our first annual Ramadan dinner. We were joined with our Muslim friends from the Dialogue Institute of the Southwest and our community with a meal that was provided by the Institute. Prior to the meal we sat through a short program informing us about the Islamic traditions. Muslims around the world fast during daylight hours. The daily fast is ended with Iftar, an evening meal often shared in the community.
Our “Into the Light” series hosted a presentation on “Feeling Left Behind-Facing Life after a Loved One’s Suicide” by Mary Kay Whitacre, PhD in June. That evening gave guests an opportunity to process their grief and share in the experience and wisdom of others. The Center offered a Five-Day Directed Retreat to individuals to participate in, this is supported by daily spiritual direction. The retreat was lead by Fr. Ron Will, C.P.P.S. and Kathy Keary.
This weekend St. Antony’s Parish in Northeast, Kansas City, will be bringing their confirmation candidates here for a day retreat. The day is planned to reflect upon their involvement in service to the church and the community and what it means to become a disciple of Jesus Christ. Lastly, this Sunday we celebrated the Feast of the Precious Blood hosted by the Liberty & Kearney Companions here at the Center. Prayer in the Chapel and dinner afterwards was a tremendous success!! Be Blessed and Safe on this Fourth of July.
