SOULJOURNERS

A Spiritual Enrichment Program for Women

St. Edward Church invites the women of the parish to participate in a program especially designed to answer to the unique spiritual needs of women. The program will be presented in three-week phases. The first week a guest speaker will present the spiritual journey of a famous holy woman, followed by questions and discussions. The second week the women will participate in a workshop loosely based on Teresa of Avila’s Interior Castles with its seven levels of spirituality and Caroline Myss’s Entering the Castle. These interactive workshop-retreats will involve a presentation with hymns and prayers, a personal meditation, a group activity related to the theme of the evening, and small group discussions during which participants may share their spiritual experiences and insights with their sisters on the journey. The third-week program will be Just Neighbors, a program designed by the diocese to engage parishioners in social justice issues and to emphasize the need for active involvement in the world as part of our spiritual journey. Colleen Barranger, who is with the Office of Social Justice for the Diocese, is bringing the Just Neighbors sessions to our parish.

The goal of SoulJourners is to offer the women of our parish a unique opportunity to enrich our own spiritual lives by observing the lives of prominent holy women and listening to their voices, taking a spiritual journey through our own interior castles in companionship with our soul-sisters, and responding to our neighbors in a spirit of loving care.

SoulJourners will meet on Monday evenings, 7:00 to 8:30 p.m., beginning September 8 and ending May 11, with the exception of the third Monday of each month. The specific program for each week will be announced in the church bulletin. Women are encouraged to participate in the entire program, but please feel free to attend any presentation in isolation if you find it has a particular appeal for you.

The program is under the direction of Dr. Margaret McKinnon, Director of Religious Education, assisted by Vera Mulherin, Program Chairperson. Please call Vera at 379-1555 if you would like further information.

SOULJOURNERS SCHEDULE 2008-09

September 8 – St. Helena, Mother of Emperor Constantine, presented by Father Nicholas Bacalis Pastor of Sts. Helena and Constantine Church, Richmond

Sptember 22 – Entering the SoulCastle: Introductory Workshop/Mini-Retreat 

October 13 – SoulCastle, Hall of Humility Workshop/Retreat

November 3 – Hildegard of Bingen, “Sybil of the Rhine,” presented by Margaret Horvath

November 10 – SoulCastle, Corridor of Courage Workshop/Retreat

December 1 – St. Clare of Assisi, founder of the Poor Clares,?

December 8 – SoulCastle, Salon of Silence/Inner Sanctum of Illumination Workshop/Retreat

January 5 – St. Julian of Norwich, “And All Shall Be Well,” presented by Father Kevin O’Brien

January 12 – SoulCastle, Banquet Hall with Soul Sisters/Tower of Transformation Workshop/Retreat

February 2 – St. Rose of Lima, First American Saint, presented by ?

February 9 – SoulCastle, The Courtyard Garden/The Sanctuary of Surrender Workshop/Retreat

March 2 – Servant of God Dorothy Day, presented by Sarah Freeman of the Catholic Worker House in Richmond Hill

March 9 – SoulCastle, Sixth and Seventh Mansions Workshop/Retreat