Advent - A Season of Expectation

During this season of expectation, 

let us take the time to open ourselves to possibility

of Holy appearance.

Virgin

by Luci Shaw

As if until that moment
nothing real
had happened since Creation

As if outside the world were empty
so that she and he were all
there was — he mover, she moved upon

As if her submission were the most
dynamic of all works: as if
no one had ever said Yes like that

As if one day the sun had no place
in all the universe to pour its gold
but her small room

From Accompanied By Angels: Poems of the Incarnation by Luci Shaw, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company (June 19, 2006).

"Into Great Silence" Retreat Day

Come to a mini-retreat day on Saturday, February 11th 2012
At The Great Hall
1382 Ontario St., in Burlington
9:30 - 10 A.M. - Coffee and Tea
10 - 11:30 - Part 1 of movie, "Into Great Silence"
11:30 - break and get ready for lunch
12 noon - eating together, some time for reflection, walking, journalling.
1 - 2:30 P.M. - Part 2 of "Into Great Silence."
2:30 - sharing the gift of the day.
3 p.m. - safe home.

Review of movie by Amazon:
Nestled deep in the postcard-perfect French Alps, the Grande Chartreuse is considered one of the world s most ascetic monasteries. In 1984, German filmmaker Philip Gröning wrote to the Carthusian order for permission to make a documentary about them. They said they would get back to him. Sixteen years later, they were ready. Gröning, sans crew or artificial lighting, lived in the monks quarters for six months filming their daily prayers, tasks, rituals and rare outdoor excursions. This transcendent, closely observed film seeks to embody a monastery, rather than simply depict one it has no score, no voiceover and no archival footage. What remains is stunningly elemental: time, space and light. One of the most mesmerizing and poetic chronicles of spirituality ever created, INTO GREAT SILENCE dissolves the border between screen and audience with a total immersion into the hush of monastic life. More meditation than documentary, it s a rare, transformative experience for all.


Please register (free) on the Green form to the right  at top ------->


There is no charge for the day, though if any would like to donate, there will be a donation basket available with proceeds going 1/2 each to Contemplative Fire Niagara and to our local Centering Prayer Group.