Print Issue: December 19, 2002

Spiritual Retreats Offer Fresh Start For New Year

CULLMAN, Ala. - The Benedictine Spirituality and Conference Center, Sacred Heart Monastery, will sponsor weekend retreats on grief recovery and self-discovery in January.

They will both be held at the Center's Sacred Heart Monastery, Cullman, Ala. The retreat focusing on getting to know oneself as a unique person within an identifiable group will be held from Friday, Jan. 17 at 7 p.m. until Sunday, Jan. 19 at 1 p.m. "Getting to Know Yourself" is based on the Enneagram which identifies nine fundamental personality types and ways in which they interact: the reformer, helper, status seeker, artist, thinker, loyalist, generalist, leader and peacemaker. It is especially recommended to persons and couples in search of a more fruitful relationship with others. Continuing education credit is available. Sister Janet Marie Flemming, OSB, director, will suggest ways of recognizing the types as well as how to realize one's own type potential while avoiding its traps. It does not promise perfection but helps one understand oneself at one's best and worst, showing ways to move beyond self-centeredness to make room for God and others in one's personal and professional life. Sister Flemming holds a master's degree in education and has advanced study in spirituality at the University of Notre Dame, St. Stephen's Priory and elsewhere. Persons may also join the community for the Eucharist and morning and evening prayer. Reservations are required by Jan. 13.

The Healing Grief Retreat will be held from Friday night to Sunday afternoon, Jan. 31 until Feb. 2, and will address pain and grief following the death of a loved one. Intended for anyone who has experienced loss or who works with others who have, it will provide a framework to enhance healing and spiritual growth. Through reflection, prayer, conferences and group interaction, participants will give themselves the opportunity to understand how the grief experience has changed their lives and can lead to a deeper union with God. Leaders of the retreat are Rev. Carl Malm of Huntsville, who holds a master of divinity degree from Lincoln Christian Seminary, Ill., and is an ordained minister of the Christian Church with over 20 years of pastoral experience; and Sister Madeline Contorno, OSB, who holds a master's in theology from the University of Notre Dame, a master's in social work from the University of Alabama and is a certified professional grief counselor, chaplain and licensed social worker. Reservations are required by Jan. 27.

For information on the retreats contact the Benedictine Spirituality Center, P.O. Box 2040, Cullman, AL 35056, (256) 734-8302 or shmon@hiwaay.net.