Do you want to observe Lent in some form, but can't make a five or six week commitment to a Lenten retreat, even an online one?
Did you get a late start on Lent?
Do you need a protected space with support and resources for observing Lent?
Not sure you know what Lent is about any more?
Wondering whether and how those three ancient Lenten practices of "prayer, fasting, and almsgiving" can have meaning in your life?
Join us for
A Gentle Lent:
Living Ancient Practices Today
Wednesday, March 8
to Saturday, March 25
WHAT
The traditional practices of Lent are known as prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. What form can they take, and what sense do they make, in our 21st century lives?
How are they related to leading our lives with simplicity, mindfulness, and compassion?
In this season, can we learn anew to be gentle with ourselves as we discover --or remember-- that God is tender and merciful toward us?
WHEN
Wednesday, March 8 to to Saturday, March 25
March 8 is the middle of the second full week in Lent. It is two weeks after Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent.
March 25 is the Feast of the Annunciation, a day honoring invitation, surprise, and affirmation in the life of Mary the mother of Jesus, and inviting us to ponder where God is calling us.
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| Aloysius Hsu, SJ, “Annunciation" Journal of the Asian American Theological Forum (2019) |
WHERE and HOW
Online (resources, conversation) and in your daily life (anywhere - home, work, outdoors, indoors).
Online:
1) On the retreat blog. This is the primary resource for the retreat. All retreat materials (readings, meditations, spiritual exercises or invitations to practice, music, visual art) will be posted on this blog as the retreat proceeds. The initial, one-time-only sign-on to the retreat blog is easy.* Once you have signed up a first time, the retreat blog will recognize you and you can check in any time. Only retreatants with have access to the blog, which is private and not searchable on the internet.
2) In live Zoom conversations. You
will also have three opportunities to meet in "real time" with other retreatants and
with me on Zoom, for 90 minutes on a Thursday evening, with some quiet time, musical offering, and sharing about your
Lenten journey and daily practice. (Note: it's not a competition! Come
as you are, not as you think you "ought to be.") Your registration on PayPal includes options of meeting times from which you can choose.
For both of these online experiences, you will need a computer or tablet and a working internet connection. The bigger the screen, the better: while technically speaking you can view the retreat blog and use Zoom on your
smartphone, I don't recommend it because you won't
see as well as you would on a larger screen.
* Need
technical help? Neither the retreat blog nor Zoom is complicated once
you've done it once, and even the first time it's not hard. I send out
detailed directions on how to sign on to the retreat blog and a link to hop onto Zoom. But if you need extra help and support, I'll be glad to walk
you through your first time or to trouble-shoot with you should you run
into a snag.
In daily
life:
Your life, your location, your schedule: You can read --and gaze at, and listen to-- the retreat materials at any time of day or night, and you can pray and practice according to your schedule and lifestyle. It will be good for you to devote a little time every day to the retreat, but when and where you practice and pray is up to you. A regular time to check in to the retreat blog every day or two is best, even if it is short. Experiment and see what works, be gentle in setting the schedule that works for you, and don't hesitate to ask for help.
 |
| brush art by Thomas Merton |
REGISTRATION AND COST
Registration and payment take place via PayPal secure link (below), which takes credit and debit cards in addition to PayPal.
--You don't have to have your own PayPal account to use this online payment method.
--If you prefer making a donation via Venmo, please write me.
--A discount rate is available for those in financial hardship.
--Likewise, the benefactor rate, for those who have the means, helps offset costs and makes scholarship aid possible.
--If the discount fee is too high for you, please write me and ask about the possibility of a scholarship.
--Payment is non-refundable and due upon registration.
--If you prefer making a donation via Venmo, please write me.
--A discount rate is available for those in financial hardship.
--Likewise, the benefactor rate, for those who have the means, helps offset costs and makes scholarship aid possible.
--If the discount fee is too high for you, please write me and ask about the possibility of a scholarship.
--Payment is non-refundable and due upon registration.
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