BERAKAH
COURSE OFFERINGS FALL 2006
Tuesdays Sept. 5 - Nov. 28 10 AM (12 weeks)
MID-WIVES OF OUR FAITH: WOMEN IN SCRIPTURE
Mary Schneiders, OP, PhD
The story of women in relation to God and Jesus is only beginning to be discovered, reflected upon and proclaimed. There are many women in the Old Testament who are models of faith for both women and men. Likewise, Jesus demonstrated a special concern for women, and women played very active and important roles in his life and ministry. This course invites participants to meet and to be encouraged, inspired and challenged by these strong, faithful and loving women.
Tuesdays Sept. 5 – Oct. 10 3PM (6 weeks)
HOLISTIC GROWTH: JOURNALING-FINDING YOUR WAY
Pauline Plante, CSC, MEd, Licensed PRH Facilitator
There are a variety of tools and approaches that support and enrich personal and spiritual growth, and thereby open the way to a fuller and more meaningful existence. The search for wholeness and inner freedom is significantly enhanced when persons live in awareness. This course will suggest a number of ways to keep a personal/spiritual journal if we are to live with insight and awareness, move toward greater freedom and wholeness, and thereby live fuller and more meaningful lives. The course will include presentations, personal reflection, and experiential processes.
Tuesdays Oct 24 - Nov. 28 3PM (6 weeks)
HOLISTIC GROWTH: DISCOVERING THE POSITIVE POWER OF NEGATIVE EMOTIONS
Pauline Plante, CSC, MEd, Licensed PRH Facilitator
Anger, shame, guilt, and grief are painful feelings and thus are usually assumed to have only a negative impact upon our lives. But when these emotions are lived with insight and awareness, they can be very positive experiences and have a beneficial effect. In this course participants will explore the role of these important emotions in their lives, and learn more effective means of dealing with them so as to benefit from their positive power.
Wednesdays Sept. 6 - Oct. 11 10 AM (6 weeks)
ENCOUNTERING GOD IN OUR EXPERIENCES: APPROACHES TO PERSONAL PRAYER
Hélène Côte, PM, MTS
God enters our lives in many ways and the response of each one is unique. Through input, prayer, sharing, and the use of mandalas, the course will explore some of the ways of prayer and promote a deeper awareness of God’s presence in the ordinary “stuff” of our everyday lives.
Wednesdays Oct. 25 - Nov. 29 10AM (6 weeks)
THE SPIRITUALITY OF THE BEATITUDES
Hélène Côte, PM, MTS
The heart of Jesus’ teachings is found in the Sermon on the Mount. The beatitudes express the essential characteristics of the genuine disciple, and we will explore how they can impact, challenge and shape our personal lives and the world in which we live.
Wednesdays Sept. 6 – Oct. 11 3PM (6 weeks)
LOVING GOD AND NEIGHBOR: WOMEN’S SPIRITUALITY & MINISTRY I
Mary Schneiders, OP, PhD
Spirituality and ministry are inseparably intertwined. For women, issues that are significant or of concern in either area prove to be so in both areas. Using scripture along with the insights of Christian feminist theology, we will explore some of the overlapping areas of spirituality and ministry, e.g., images of God, Jesus, scripture, the church, prayer and sacraments, etc.
Wednesdays Oct. 25 – Nov. 29 3PM (6 weeks)
THE WISDOM OF WOMEN: MYSTICS, PROPHETS & LEADERS I
Mary Schneiders, OP, PhD & Pauline Plante, CSC, MEd, Licensed PRH Facilitator
To whom can women turn to discover a spirituality that resonates with their own unique feminine identity and experiences? Who are our mentors for living our lives as faith-filled women? This course will explore the spiritualities of a variety of women from different historical periods and walks of life: Catherine of Siena, Julian of Norwich, Theresa of Avila, Edith Stein, Caryll Houselander and Jessica Powers.
Thursdays Sept. 7 – Oct. 12 10 AM (6 weeks)
COSMOLOGY: RECLAIMING THE WHOLE STORY
Norman Comtois, OMI, MA, LMHC
The recent scientific investigations of the universe, earth life, and the human person have given us a new world view, a larger framework to interpret our spiritual and religious experience in the evolutionary process. The purpose of this two-part course is to provide an opportunity to explore a more expansive understanding of our relationship to the Divine and to see the infinite possibilities that present themselves now and in the future. The classes will be particularly attractive to those who enjoy creative thinking and discussion.
Thursdays Oct 26 – Nov 30 10 AM (6 weeks)
AWAKENING TO THE COSMIC CHRIST IN AN EMERGING UNIVERSE
Norman Comtois, OMI, MA, LMHC
With an understanding of our place in the universe, we will discuss the implications for a spirituality that incorporates the meaning of a Christ for all of creation. We will consider the movement from the Historical Jesus to the Cosmic Christ, then follow the mystical path of a Christ-centered spirituality, and finally suggest spiritual practices that will enhance the life of the Spirit.
N.B. In order to participate in “Cosmic Christ”, it is suggested that you attend “Cosmology: Reclaiming the Whole Story.
Thursdays Sept. 7 – Nov 30 3PM (12 weeks)
LIVING A CONSECRATED LIFE: A SEMINAR ON RELIGIOUS LIFE
Berakah Staff
Tapping the wealth of wisdom and experience found in each one’s lived experience, and using a process of theological reflection, participants will be invited to reflect upon, claim, and grow in their living of religious life. The topics that will be considered include the prophetic dimension of religious life, charism/mission/vision, spirituality and prayer, the vows, and community life.
This approach will hopefully situate religious life within a broader context inclusive of the whole of life, and serve to connect and integrate all of life.
N.B. Nov 4-5 weekend, Roots and Wings: Past, Present & Future of Religious life with Nancy Schreck OSF is recommended to
complete the course.
Thursdays Beginning Sept. 14 7PM
SACRED DANCE
Beverly Drolet
Fridays Sept. 8 - Oct. 13 10AM (6 weeks)
WHO DO YOU SAY I AM? IMAGES OF JESUS, OLD AND NEW
Mary Schneiders, OP, PhD
Since Jesus is the central figure upon whom our Christian faith is built, a true understanding of who he is, is essential to our Christian identity and way of life. This course will focus on a variety of images found in the four gospels that witness to the one Jesus, as well as some contemporary images that can help to enrich our relationship with Jesus.
Fridays Oct. 27 - Dec. 1 10AM (6 weeks)
COVENANT JOURNEY: THE STORY OF GOD, THE JEWISH PEOPLE AND US
Mary Schneiders, OP, PhD
For the Jewish people, their special covenant relationship with God was the source of their identity, and the lens through which they interpreted all of life and reality. In this course, we will explore some key themes of the Hebrew Scriptures, e.g. God, covenant, law, wisdom, prophecy, morality, and salvation, using ‘covenant’ as our interpretive key for understanding each theme and its relevance both for the Jewish people as well as for ourselves.
Fridays Sept. 15 - 22- 29 3PM
Oct. 13 – 27
ART
Tammy Colby