June, 2001 Volume XII, Number 6
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A Weekend at the Movies
Movies affect us at a deep level. They have had a profound impact on our culture and our individual lives, shaping our ideals, desires, and beliefs. Is it possible for a movie, a drama, to reach into us even to the inmost level of our soul? Can the dramatist, the artist, catalyze us in such a way as to trigger an epiphany of spiritual insight?
We will watch a couple of movies and then try to get deeper into our experience by sharing and doing various simple exercises. As usual, the theme of our retreat is only a touchstone to trigger deeper reflections about ourselves, our lives, our world, and the mystery and beauty of spirit.
One of the movies is entitled “Alchemy”, so we will consider what that means to us today. What needs to be transformed, and how? Much of our enquiry will be guided and generated by the ideas, stories, images and experiences that arise in the group. There will be fun as well as seriousness, relaxation and unprogramed time to explore the beautiful realm of nature and spirit that is Loretto.
The retreat will be held at Knobs Haven, on the Sisters of Loretto Motherhouse on the weekend of June 15th through 17th. We begin at 7:00 PM on Friday, and end at noon on Sunday. If you wish to attend, please send $5 of the fee and your intentions to Barbara Ballard, 2961 Rio Rita Ave., Louisville, KY 40220, phone 502-458-6022. Timely registration is due by June 7th. The fee for the retreat is $55 if timely, $65 if late. (This is the cost of room and board which is paid to the Sisters, there is no fee charged for the retreat process.) If you need additional information about the retreat, a map, or financial assistance, please ask.
BOOK REVIEW
A Women’s Journey to God; Finding the Feminine Path, by Joan Borysenko, Riverhead Books, New York, 1999.
This book was recommended to me by a friend as one that might give ample reward for the time spent in reading it. I found this to be so. Joan Borysenko writes from her own experience. She has traveled in many ways, both inner and outer, in retreats, workshops, prayer circles, and pilgrimages. She weaves her own story and that of her friends together with the understanding gained from practice and study.
The book seems to be written primarily for women, or for those who wish to learn more about the feminine path. It begins with a look at how we acquire faith. Her story reveals how different it is for each of us, and that, for many of us, it is a precious gift. This leads into a discussion differentiating religion from spirituality. I think some of her insights are worth reading. They have a familiar ring, with a different voice and perspective. Her chapter on intuition and reason held priceless gems on the relational nature of the feminine path. I have found myself mentally referring to this chapter in various conversations and situations. She takes the images I first read about in Matthew Fox’s work, of Jacob’s ladder, and Sarah’s circle, and gives them character through personal stories as well as depth by reference to current research. Some of the book deals with the images and myths of the spiritual journey. They come from many traditions. We are lead to reclaim women’s religious stories that have been partially hidden by years of patriarchal editing. And there are teasing reminders that a wisdom circle or prayer group may offer the community that includes those whose focus is spirituality not creeds. It may become the place where meaningful ritual can celebrate our relatedness to all, including the mystery of ourselves, life, and the greater mystery of spirit, however we choose to name it. As she says when speaking of women’s spiritual groups, “In Sarah’s circle we grow through the intimate experiences of self-in-relation that can occur in rituals where there is an authentic give and take from the heart rather that a one size fits all template. Ritual is precious because it provides common ground on which we can meet one another in a community of peers where every woman is a priestess.” (Page 258)
I found the book satisfying and easy to read, good enough to recommend to my friends.
A.S.
The discussion on May 12th focused on the stories of Jesus as an exorcist, a healer of those thought to be possessed by demons. They describe events that the Fellows felt probably occurred, even if the stories, and the dialog were the work of editors. Our discussion considered the different way in which we presently understand and name abnormal states. An example of this would be epilepsy, which seems to ‘possess’ a person at random intervals, growing worse over time. This led to thoughts on the nature of illness and healing, and what impact persons of faith have in this process. When tradition said that Jesus drove out demons “by God’s finger”, what does that mean for healers today who treat with the ‘magic’ of the scientific method? Ever reminded that one age’s magic may be another’s scientifically explained fact, what does this say about our present system’s paradigm, which is just beginning to explore the relationship of mind body and spirit? Does our faith in the wholesome unity of mystery have an impact on our personal healing, or our capacity to promote healing? Our discussion was lively and thoughtful. It was based on personal experience, and our reflection and ongoing integration of the material at hand.
This Group meets on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of each month. Recently, SGN invited them to meet at our regular meeting place, Paschal’s home. All are welcome.
June 15th –17th, Friday 7 PM to Sunday noon.
At Knobs Haven, Sisters of Loretto Motherhouse, Nerinx, KY
Theme: A Weekend at the Movies
To be held on the third Saturday of the month, July 21st, and August 18th.