BECOMING MYSTICS

AND PROPHETS

2018—2019

Offered twice 10:00am and 6:30pm Freewill offering

Sep 24: Rumi

Oct 29: John of the Cross

Dec 10: Thomas Merton

Jan 14: Gautama Siddhartha

5637 Erie St., Racine, Wi 53402

www.SienaRetreatCenter.org

Presenters

Presenter Franklin Lewis is Associate Professor of Persian Literature and Chair of the Department of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations at the University of Chicago. His research focuses on Persian and Arabic literature and philology, Sufism and Islamic Thought, Baha’i Studies, as well as the

role of translation in literary history. He has done numerous translations of fiction by modern Iranian writers and has written extensively on the poet Jalāl ad-Dīn Rūmī.

Originally from Chicago, presenter John Welch, O. Carm, is an ordained priest in the Carmelite Order. With a PhD in Religious Education from the University of Notre Dame, Jack taught at Washington Theological Union, where he prepared men and women for church ministry. A specialist in

Carmelite spirituality, Jack has published several books, including Spiritual Pilgrims: Carl Jung and Teresa of Avila, When Gods Die: An Introduction to St. John of the Cross, The Carmelite Way: An Ancient Path for Today’s Pilgrim, and Seasons of the Heart: The Spiritual Dynamic of Carmelite Life.

Advance registration for Becoming Mystics and Prophets is requested,

though not required. To register, call 262-898-2590 or send an e-mail to

retreats@racinedominicans.org.

Pat Shutts holds a BA in Theology and an MA in Pastoral Studies and a certificate in spiritual guidance from Creighton University. Pat brings her gift of compassionate listening and openness to the Spirit. She is a lay covenant member of the Wheaton Franciscans and is

part of the Sophia Zen Sangha. Presenter Ven. Vimala Bhikkhuni is an ordained Buddhist nun in the Theravadan tradition. She began studying Buddhism in 1995 and was ordained as a nun in 2007. Since then, she has been the only female monk at Blue Lotus Buddhist Temple in Woodstock, Illinois. For ten years she has been part of the

leadership for the meditation retreat called “Moving Into Silence” and for two years has been part of the team leading the “Spiritualities of East and West” at Siena Retreat Center.

From Milwaukee Area: Exit I-94 at Hwy 100 (Ryan Road); LEFT on Hwy 100 to Hwy 32 (4.4 mi); RIGHT on Hwy 32 to Four Mile Road (6.5 mi. along Hwy 32); LEFT on Four Mile Road to Erie Street (1.1 mi). Turn LEFT on Erie Street to SIENA CENTER (0.7 mi). Driveway on right. From Chicago Area: Exit I-94 at Hwy 20; RIGHT (east) on Hwy 20 to Hwy 31 (5.4 mi); LEFT on Hwy 31 to Four Mile Road (4.6 mi). Four Mile Road is at the stop light just after you cross a bridge. Turn RIGHT on Four Mile Road to Erie Street (3 mi); LEFT on Erie Street to SIENA CENTER (0.7 mi). Driveway on right.

You may also want to check on the I-94 website for the latest construction updates: www.plan94.org

A Sponsored

Ministry of the

Racine Dominicans

BECOMING MYSTICS AND PROPHETS

Mystics are those who live and love deeply,

seeing the spark of God in all. Prophets are

those who call us to live life to the fullest. Their

lives speak a truth which changes the world.

Hearing the stories of mystics and prophets will

call us to be all we are meant to be.

ALL PROGRAMS PRESENTED TWICE:

Mondays, 10:00 - 11:15 am and 6:30 - 7:45pm

Freewill Offering

Rumi: Passionate Mystic and Poet

Born in present-day Afghanistan, Rumi moved to Turkey with his family with the Mongol invasion when he was eight. The poetry of this 13th century Sufi Muslim scholar and teacher crosses all religious traditions to describe the

common human life journey of growing into Love.

In the first session of this series, we will consider the life and writings of Rumi who challenges us to not to be afraid to know the Divine One who is present and more intimate to us than we even can imagine.

Monday, September 24, 2018

Presenter: Franklin Lewis

John of the Cross’ Dark Night of the Soul for the 21st Century

The dark night, as described by St. John of the Cross, is an experience of God’s love freeing us from our attachments, our “little gods.” St. John Paul II expanded the meaning of dark night to include the suffering experience in today’s world. The Pope said, “The saint’s doctrine is now invoked in response to this unfathomable mystery of human suffering.”

Our presentation will be a brief introduction to the spirituality of St. John of the Cross, and an exploration of the challenges for our faith today.

Monday, October 29, 2018 Presenter: John Welch, O. Carm.

Soul Searching: The Journey of Thomas Merton

We will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the death of Thomas Merton by watching, reflecting on, and discussing excerpts of the documentary Soul Searching: The Journey of Thomas Merton. This film examines the life of this modern American Trappist monk, artist, writer, poet, theologian, mystic, social activist, and student of comparative religions.

The documentary is alive with the stories of those who knew Merton well and/or passionately cared about him.

Monday, December 10, 2018 Presenter: Pat Shutts

Gautama Siddhartha, A Buddha

We will begin our time together looking first at Siddhartha's early life in India, the culture and spiritual teachings of that time, and the journey he took to become an enlightened (awakened)

teaching Buddha. We will also look at the night of his enlightenment and his descriptions of that experience, the core teachings that arose from that, his encounters with spirits (devas), and a few of the wonderful stories of his birth, foretelling his future as a "Wheel Turning King."

The presentation will conclude with a short guided meditation, comments, questions, and reflections.

Monday, January 14, 2019

Presenter: Ven. Vimala Bhikkhuni

Each session will include input and time to

reflect on your own spiritual journey.