September, 2001
Volume XII, Number 9
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SEPTEMBER RETREAT
Our September Retreat is scheduled for the weekend of September 21st -
23rd from 7PM on Friday to noon on Sunday. We will be meeting at Knobs
Haven Retreat Center. Our theme is working with the problems and
possibilities of an ethical and ecological spirituality. When our
awareness of the ecological dimensions of spirituality deepens, we are
often asked to develop and work within a broader vision of the sacred.
We also encounter the demands of ethical practice, and must stretch our
capacity to include these demands within this broader vision. As a
small group of friends we will share the ways in which we integrate our
spiritual vision with our daily lives. We will look at some of the ways
others are working with these issues, as many of today's thinkers are
concerned with such problems. Can we listen with respect to historical
teachings and still remain open to the revisions required by experience,
scholarship, and common sense? Of course, but it helps to have time
apart to do some of this kind of work. This is why we have set aside
this time of retreat. There will be periods of discussion, as well as
time for quiet reflection. Our first section, Friday evening will be a
relaxed open sharing. Saturday morning, we will consider some questions
based on the ideas of Brazilian theologian Ivone Gebara. (A resource
for her work is the booklet Sacred Universe, Sacred Passion published by
the Sisters of Loretto. Another resource is her book Longing for
Running Waters.) Saturday afternoon is a time for quiet reflection, a
meditation will be offered as the basis for personal work. As Dave Peck
had schedule conflicts arise, the Ghost Dance section will be postponed
until a later date. Sunday is a time to honor the sacred and integrate
the retreat experience into our return to everyday realities.
This retreat is open to all. 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 September 13th. 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.
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JESUS SEMINAR DISCUSSION GROUP
The Jesus Seminar discussion group meets on the second and
fourth Saturdays of each month from 9 to 11 AM at the home of Paschal
Baute and is open to all. It is currently discussing chapters form the
book, The Gospel of Jesus. The last discussion, held on August 25th,
considered a set of parables. As we only met for two hours, there was
only time to share ideas concerning three of these. The first of these
was 'The Assassin' from Thomas 98:1-3. This is a relatively unknown
parable in which a man who wishes to kill a powerful one, tests his
capacity before doing the deed. Our discussion considered several
points. Was this a part of a political message? If one wished to go
against a formidable force, like the Roman occupation, one needed to be
very sure of a strong intent. Was the parable's meaning part of our
inner dialog? In that case, what part of our psyche is enslaving us,
and how to we go about forming the intention and perseverance to 'kill'
it? Is the tale a teaching device to get us to think where killing
those in power leads? Violence begets violence. There is a commandment
against killing. How close to allegory is this parable? It was noted
that one of the most impressive characteristics of Jesus seems to be his
awareness and acceptance of the human shadow. In a similar way, we
asked and answered our questions about the 'The Leased Vineyard' and
'The Shrewd Manager'. The discussion was lively and informative. There
are always a variety of opinions and perspectives offered. A.S.
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CALENDAR
QUARTERLY RETREAT
September 21st -23rd, Friday 7PM to Sunday noon
At Knobs Haven Retreat House, Sisters of Loretto Motherhouse, Nerinx, KY.
Theme: Refining ecological perspectives of spirituality
DAY OF RECOLLECTION
Saturday, October 20th
Theme: Sweat Lodge on Michael and Ann's farm.
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COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD
Kentuckiana CTA Presents
Nasimiyu Wasike
A Voice from the Third World
Kentuckiana Call-to-Action is happy to present Nasimiyu Wasike a
theologian from Kenya. The presentation will be held on Saturday,
September 8 at the
House of Ruth at 1:00 p.m. There will be a reception
at 2:30 followed by another presentation at 3:30. A suggested donation
of $5 to cover the expenses will be requested. For interested
individuals, a dinner will follow the presentation at a nearby
restaurant. For the dinner please RSVP at
St. Williams Church, 635 6307,
Box 2.
Nasimiyu Wasike is a professor of religion at Kenyatta University,
Nairobi, Kenya. Following her doctoral dissertation on
Vatican II and
the problem of inculturation, she has related her womanist theology to
traditional African religion and culture. She was part of the circle of
concerned African women theologians who formed the Institute of African
Women in Religion and Culture. She has been the superior general of the
Little Sisters of St. Francis during which period she found herself in
conflict with the local hierarchy over the sexual/power issues between
clergy and sisters in Africa.
Kentuckiana CTA is a movement of lay people, religious and clergy,
affiliated with the National CTA, who are working to empower response to
the traditions of compassion, justice and peacemaking articulated in the
biblical tradition, Catholic social teaching, the tenets of Vatican II
and the witness of faithful people.
Directions to the
House of Ruth:
From Lexington, follow I-64 and its detour onto I-71. Take the I-65
south exit (Louisville & Nashville) and go to the
St. Catherine exit (135). Turn right on
2nd Street and next right on to
Kentucky St. Go about 5-6 blocks to Hancock and make a right. (Hancock is after Jackson) After you pass Little Flock Baptist Church on right, turn into parking lot on left. The presentation will be in the sanctuary off St. Catherine.
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Introduction to Centering Prayer by the Contemplative Outreach of
Kentucky will be held in Shelbyville Kentucky on December 1 from 10:00
am to 4:00 pm. For information contact Tom Fangman (502 747 0194) or
tfang@att.net.
The Contemplative Outreach of Kentucky has as its address 1908 Tyler
Lane, Louisville, KY 40205 / email co-ky@juno.com
The Coordinators are Jean Johnson (New Haven) 502 549 3122 & Dennis Kelton (Louisville) 502 897 7738
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YOGA CLASSES IN GEORGETOWN (Kripalu gentle style)
Release tension easily and safely, become centered and more relaxed.
All Flexibilities, young and elderly. Tuesdays, 7-8:15 p.m.
Parish Hall of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, entrance on Clinton Street,
off Broadway.
Call Eileen Epperson for info: 502-570-5801
INTERIOR LIFE TELESEMINAR BEGINS IN SEPTEMBER: The Interior Life
Seminar, an interdisciplinary reading/discussion group by telephone
begins Wed, Sept 12. Eight alternate Wed. evenings, 8-9:30 p.m.
Readings: Alice in Wonderland, Varieties of Goodness, Interior Castle,
Muslim Saints and Mystics, Secret Oral Teachings of Tibetan Buddhist Sects.
A 20-minute phone intro on 8/31 at 9:00-9:20 a.m. and 9/2 at 5:00-5:20 p.m.
and 8:30-8:50 p.m. and 9/3 at 10:00-10:20 a.m. (Labor Day) and 9/4 at
12:00-12:20 p.m. Contact Eileen immediately (Bridge line number is limited)
by phone if you want to be on phone intro (no commitment to seminar is needed).
Call Eileen Epperson 502-570-5801 BEFORE 9/1. Thereafter, please email: Eppervesce@aol.com.
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