Listen My Son...It is a Balancing Act - A Benedictine Retreat for Busy Men
October 3-5, 2008
Arrive at 4:30 p.m. on October 3, retreat begins at 6:00 p.m.
Depart campus at 1 p.m. Sunday, October 5.
Finding the spiritual balance. How can we find God our center in the midst of the chaos? Today our spirituality and grounded faith seems counter-cultural, yet over 1500 years later Benedict's Rule still applies. Come and seek that balance through conversation, fellowship and prayer with other over-busy men. This fun, reflective retreat will help you consider God's invitation for balance in your life. Our respite will include sharing sacred stories, ample quiet & personal time for reflection, reading and walking the woods. We will participate in community prayer and share in the traditional Benedictine hospitality. Inspiration and laughter included.
$300 registration includes all materials, facilitation, meals and lodging at the Abbey Guesthouse. Reverent gazing at God's creation optional but highly recommended.
Space is limited. Please register promptly for guaranteed room at the Guesthouse. Upon receipt of paid registration, pre-retreat materials and details will be sent to you.
Questions? Contact James A. Neppl, Retreat Facilitator 320.202.9903.
To register, contact Heidi Goebel at 320.363.2591.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Is this gathering a men's retreat, a Benedictine retreat or both?
This retreat is primarily a men's retreat. Men have sacred stories that ought to be honored. As men, we don't know how to do that very well. Our sacred story is who we are. Men yearn for a spirituality that is male. Men have a hunger for a deeper connection to purpose, balance and being an authentic male. We will explore who we are as men and what that means in our work, families, and world.
The place and environment that is St. John's Abbey and University provides a tradition which will flavor the event with what we hope will be helpful to men: Benedict's Rule (we'll use some, not all), Community (What can we learn from men living a communal monastic life?) Hospitality (Sharing a meal is over two-thousand years old), Prayer and Work (How about prayer AT work, can we do that today?) ... among others.
This gathering is not strictly Benedictine however it is strictly male. There will be ample time of being in retreat - alone, in large group, in small group, one-on-one, informal and structured time. You will make your retreat personal among other men.
I have been to other retreats. Why should I attend this one?
This is a retreat not a workshop. One makes a retreat but attends a workshop. Once you register you will receive materials that will help you engage and create your own portion of the retreat experience. A "Reflectionaire" will help you reflect upon what you desire from the gathering. Your retreat will begin when you receive the pre-retreat materials. A period of "decompression" is needed to fully engage in the retreat experience. The pre-retreat materials will help. No lectures but inspiring conversation. We will share the wisdom of the group. You will create the space for The Spirit to facilitate.
Is this a large gathering? I am looking for some time to be grounded but want some interaction with others.
When retreats become too big they are conventions. This gathering hopes to accommodate 15 men. We aspire that this gathering becomes an annual or perhaps quarterly retreat. An evaluation will be provided and your honest comments will help us continue to provide the nourishment you seek toward healing, inspiration and wholeness (holiness). There will be time for quiet and solitude, laughter and fellowship, deep conversation and informal connecting. We are planning for variety and balance over these days and are confident you will leave affirmed.
So what will we talk about, what is the "theme?"
You decide. God decides. We will talk about what is talked about. The agenda and guide for the day is flexible. We will start when you arrive and the retreat will conclude when you leave (re-entry into the world may be bumpy.) There will be guiding questions and statements that will lead us however, your contribution in your Reflectionaire will be the grist for the retreat mill. The theme will emerge from the gathering and each man will find something that resonates with him.
How do I prepare? What should I bring?
You will begin the retreat upon your registration. You will receive pre-retreat materials that will assist you in preparing for the gathering. Bring comfortable clothing and shoes for walking in the woods (consider the October weather in Central Minnesota), your favorite nourishing reading material (a Bible - we will participate in Lectio Divina) and minor incidentals. Do not bring too much. Less is more. Please...NO Laptops, cell-phones or watches. We will be operating in Kairos (God's time). You will not miss any meals!