On our August Day of Recollection, to be held on Saturday, August 26th, from 10 AM to 3 PM, at the home of Paschal Baute. We will be discussing some of the errors that can be fostered by belief and conviction, as well as the consequences of these attitudes in the world today. We will observe how these attitudes have affected us personally and how we have dealt with them, both as they have impacted on us from outside or as we struggle with them within ourselves. Consider how often you have heard someone say they are working with `intolerance of intolerant people'. The article in this newsletter, The Last Temptation of the Christian by Paschal Baute, should give fuel for thought.

Last month we all enjoyed the pot luck lunch so much we decided to make it a regular feature. It seemed to add such a touch of enthusiasm and lift to the spirit that bag lunches just won't do any more. So bring a dish to share with friends and we will have a communal meal together.

The Lord seems to be calling us to the outdoors. In many areas of education and spirituality, nature seems to be the current focus. Nature has a profound effect on us. When we experience the outdoors, we not only journey out of our familiar environment and into the woods, but also journey deep within our heart to experience ourselves and the presence of God that we have been searching for all along.

During our September retreat we plan to journey forth into nature and into our hearts and examine the seasons and God, the seasons and relationships, and the seasons as a reflection of life. So come and experience God in your own heart, in the heart of a journey companion, and in the very matrix of the environment.

The retreat will be held at Knobs Haven on the campus of Sisters of Loretto Motherhouse, Nerinx, Kentucky, from September 15th, Friday 7 PM to September 17th, Sunday noon. Please pre-register by sending your intentions to Barbara Ballard, 2961 Rio Rita Ave., Louisville, KY 40220 phone 502-458-6022. Include $5 of the registration fee (non-refundable). Due date is September 7th.

At the August Planning Meeting we tried to do some extended planning for the direction of our discussions and gatherings over the coming year. For our October Day of Recollection, Larry Springate will lead us in discussions on the shadow side of religion and the value of critical discernment in spiritual practice. The December Retreat will be on the topic of the value of uncertainty and doubt in spiritual practice and growth. Other topics recommended were: 1) The physical aspect of well being, that is health, food, body work and so on. 2) In depth look at major faiths (we have not considered the Eastern traditions of Hinduism, Buddhism or Taoism). 3) Humor, laughter is often a forgotten tool on the spirtitual journey. 4) More work linking our spiritual quest with the natural world and its cycles. Our retreats for 1996 will all be on an equinox or a soltice.

We also have decided to hold our planning meetings on the last Sunday of each month at 3:00 PM. This change will help us to get the newsletter out earlier in the month, and hopefully aid in everyone's scheduling.