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Our Director's CORNER
FR. VINCE MESI, OFM, Director
Dear Friends,
As we begin this New Year, let us hope that it will be
an opportunity to build a new world. After so many
have died in war, violence, and terrorist attacks, its
beginning to look like men and women of good will
from many nations are gathering together in order to
cooperate and attempt to heal the planet of its woes
which so threaten the very possibility of a peaceful and
just world. My brothers and sisters, we need to pray
and work hard to heal ourselves, our families, and the
world of the causes of the hatred and bigotry we are
experiencing in our times.We cannot let this escalate!
Let us pray that religious leaders of all faiths and government leaders of all nations act in a way that promotes peace and harmony for all peoples–for all of us
are beloved of God!
To that end we are intending to enhance our
celebrations of the Church’s liturgical life.
In this newsletter, you will find many opportunities to celebrate special feast days including a
renewed emphasis on Franciscan Feast Days. For
example, one special day is the Feast of Our Lady
of the Angels of Portiuncula on August 2nd. On
this day we commemorate the restoration of the
little portion, the “Portiuncula” down in the
Assisi valley, a place most beloved of St. Francis.
Here he began the Franciscan movement and
here he died on October 3, 1226. Join us for a
Day of Reflection and the Eucharist. Be sure you
read over the exciting calendar of retreats and
liturgical celebrations listed in this newsletter!
Plan to join us!
As Br. Mike shares in his letter, we are envisioning
some new ways to offer “love, hospitality, and
nourishment” to our retreatants. And, at the same
time create ways to be more welcoming and available
to God’s people at large. One area of renewal dear to
my heart is the Sacred Liturgy. In the decree on the
Sacred Liturgy proclaimed by the Second Vatican
Council, the bishops of the world stated that Liturgy is
the “source and the summit of Christian life.”
I wish to thank you who have been so generous
to San Damiano Retreat…through your prayers,
your volunteering, and your financial support!
You are loved and appreciated!
The Lord give you peace!
FRANCISCAN PROVINCE OF ST. BARBARA CENTENNIAL OPEN HOUSE
Many people know the Franciscans here at San Damiano.
However, many people do not realize these Franciscans are
part of a larger group of Franciscans ministering and working
on the West Coast.This greater group is called the Province of
Saint Barbara.The Province is celebrating its 100th Anniversary this year.
Please join us here at San Damiano on Sunday, February 22, from 3pm to
5pm to celebrate the work and the history of the Franciscans.Wine and
hors d’oeuvres will be served until 4:00 pm, then join us for a Festive
Evening Prayer. All are welcome.
Please RSVP to Kateri at 925-837-9141or katerik@sandamiano.org.
Our Administrator's CORNER
BR. MIKE MINTON
Happy 2015. I love San Damiano. It brings me great joy to
welcome people here. In fact, that was my first job here,
welcoming and carrying suitcases on Friday evenings.
After several years, I still love San Damiano and welcoming people. However, I have come to understand that
preparing people to leave is our real work. San Damiano
is very beautiful, but the world is not always. It remains
very broken, lonely and bruised. Our work is to refresh,
pray with, teach, heal, and nourish people while they are
here so they can take the beauty of this place down the
hill to share with the world.
Offering that kind of love, hospitality, and nourishment to
retreatants calls San Damiano to always reimagine schedules, goals, and programs.These are some we are going
to try and create this year:
• more opportunities to pray with the Franciscans
• an increased emphasis on Spiritual Direction
• more opportunities for directed private retreats
• a concentration on Franciscan spirituality and feasts
• coordinated opportunities to serve
• ways to respond to Pope Francis’ call to renew the
Church
• continued exploration of interfaith dialogue and
spirituality
• more expressions of beauty and art
• more retreats geared to the marginalized of society
• retreats designed to help address the issues of
brokenness in our world
• and, on an extremely practical level, some “Tender
Loving Care” for this 50 plus year old building that has
sheltered so many people through so much.
May we all strive to be, to see, and to make the beauty
and wholeness for which our world so desperately cries.
Fr tern lly,
SAN DAMIANO LEGACY SOCIETY
Consider supporting San Damiano by joining our
Legacy Society. By including us in your estate plans,
you serve as a visionary and ensure the future of
the retreat center. Contact our Director, Fr.Vince
Mesi, OFM for more information at 925-837-9141.
NEW OFFERINGS THIS LENT
AND BEYOND!
Taize Prayer will be offered
on the Wednesday evenings
during Lent beginning
Wednesday, Feb. 25 from 7:00
to 8:00 pm. Fellowship and
coffee will follow each
evening. A devotional Day of
Renewal for the Feast of the
Sacred Heart of Jesus will be on Friday, June 12. As
part of the new emphasis on Franciscan Feast Days,
we offer Days of Renewal on Sunday, Aug. 2nd for
the Feast of Our Lady of the Angels of Portiuncula
and on Tuesday, Aug. 11 for the Feast of St. Clare.
Join our Franciscan Friars for these prayerful celebrations.
IS GOD CALLING?
Have you considered becoming a friar?
Is God calling you to religious life?
Contact us to find out more...it's a great
life! Br. Michael Minton, ofm,
at San Damiano, 925-837-9141,
mikeminton@sandamiano.org or Br. Eric
Pilarcik, ofm,Vocation Director at
408-903-3422, epilarcik@aol.com
San Damiano Retreat
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DANVILLE • CALIFORNIA
P.O. Box 767 • Danville, CA 94526-0767
710 Highland Drive
Phone: 925-837-9141 • Fax: 925-837-0522
Address Service Requested
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SECOND ANNUAL OPEN GOLF TOURNAMENT
MARK YOUR
CALENDAR
Silent Contemplative
Weekend
Fr. Dan Manger, OSB, Cam.
July 31-Aug. 2
The Second Annual San Damiano Open Golf Tournament is scheduled
for Monday, May 18 at the Diablo Country Club. Following your day
of golf, join us for an auction and dinner.
Call or email Kateri at
925-837-9141, ext. 315, katerik@sandamiano.org.
JOIN US FOR A LENTEN DAY OF RENEWAL
There are 3 days of renewal scheduled this Lent. Fr. Vince Mesi, OFM
will present 2 of them: Ash Wednesday, February 18 and “Celebrating
the Sacred 3 Days” on Saturday, March 28. Additionally, Fr. Patrick Foley
presents a Lenten day of renewal on Friday, March 17. Each ends with
Eucharist. Check the insert list of retreat for more information.
Feast of Our Lady of the
Angels of Portiuncula
San Damiano Friars
Sunday, Aug. 2
Feast Day of St. Clare
San Damiano Friars
Tuesday, Aug. 11
Spiritual Spa Weekend
for Women
Kathy Miranda, MA
Rena Grant, MA
August 14-16
Scripture Retreat
Fr. Garrett Galvin, OFM
August 21-23
Spring/Summer 2015
JANUARY 30-FEBRUARY 1, 2015
CENTERING PRAYER BASICS & THE
PSYCHOLOGY OF THE SPIRITUAL
JOURNEY
Cherry Haisten
Learn the basics of Centering Prayer, or review
them, and learn their conceptual context in
traditional spirituality and contemporary
psychology. $235/$205
FEBRUARY 6-7, 2015
MERTON AT 100
A LIVING LEGACY
Clare Ronzani
In this 100th anniversary year of Thomas Merton’s
birth, we will remember and pray with themes
from the living legacy of this remarkable monk,
mystic, poet, and prophet.This retreat
is one night only ending on Saturday, Feb. 7 at 4:00
pm. $125/$105
SUNDAYS, FEB. 8 & APRIL 19, 2015
DAY OF DIALOGUE FOR GAY,
LESBIAN, BISEXUAL
& TRANSGENDERED PEOPLE
Br. Mike Minton, OFM
“You are also a child of God, gifted and called for a
purpose in God’s design.” [Always Our Children,
USCCB, 1997/98, page 4] We will share stories and
prayer. Family members and friends are welcome.
1:00 – 4:00 pm. No Cost
FEBRUARY 13-15, 2015
VALENTINE’S MARRIED COUPLES
“MAY I HAVE THIS DANCE?”
Karla & Richard Obernesser,
Fr. Rusty Shaughnessy, OFM
Join Fr. Rusty, Karla and Richard for a lovely and
loving weekend as we explore the dance of the
present moment.There will be a special Valentine’s
dinner on Saturday and Sunday Mass will be celebrated with a renewal of your marriage vows.
$320 per couple
FRIDAY, FEB. 20, 2015
SPIRITUAL SPA DAY FOR WOMEN
CELEBRATE THE WONDER
OF SIMPLICITY
Kathy Miranda, MA & Rena Grant, MA
Attentiveness to God fosters simplicity, and with
simplicity, space is created.Therefore, simplicity can
awaken us to what is both important and real in
life. Let's take time away to explore what that
might look like in our daily lives. Prayer, body
movement, small group discussion, creative
response, and quiet time will be offered to provide
a way to do this. Check-in at 9:00 am,
9:30 am – 3:30 pm, lunch included.
$70
SUNDAY, FEB. 22, 2015
OPEN HOUSE CELEBRATING THE
100th ANNIVERSARY OF THE
ST. BARBARA PROVINCE
Franciscan Friars of St. Barbara Province
On Sunday, February 22, from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm,
come celebrate the work and the history of the
Franciscans.Wine and hors d’oeuvres will be
served until 4:00 pm, then join us for a Festive
Evening Prayer. All are welcome.
Please RSVP to Kateri at 925-837-9141
or katerik@sandamiano.org.
SUNDAY, MARCH 8, 2015
RUMI DAY
Ustadh Feraidon Mojadedi
Join Ustadh Feraidon Mojadedi as he shares his
deep appreciation for Rumi. He is fluent in the
Farsi language that allows him the unique ability
to bring Rumi’s poetry to life and to help listeners recognize Rumi’s message of love, coexistence and connection with the Divine.The day
will include a social time and fellowship. Checkin at 12:30 pm; 1:00 pm – 6:00 pm. $15
LENTEN RETREATS FOR 2015
Lenten Series: Season of Compassion
Tuesdays, Feb. 17, 24,
March 3, 10, 17, & 24
Kathy Miranda, MA
Come, explore ways to be compassionate with
ourselves, others and even our enemies.The
book,Twelve Steps to a Compassionate Life by
Karen Armstrong, will be our guide.The book
will enhance participation but is not required. If
you like, you can purchase the book in the San
Damiano gift shop. Check-in at 9:00 am, 9:30
am – 12:30 pm, lunch optional at $10.
$20 per session, $100 for series
Ash Wednesday Renewal Day
“Pardon My Lenten Smile”
Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2015
Fr.Vince Mesi, OFM
Don’t we all have this conversation, “Here we
go again! Another Lent! What am I going to give
up this time?” Instead of giving up “things,”
maybe we need a radical change in our lives!
And, maybe we don’t have to be so dour this
Lent. Make this Lent a joyful new start of a
beautiful love relationship with God through
prayer, fasting, and charity. Check-in at 9:00;
9:30 am – 3:00 pm, lunch included.
$35
Taize Prayer in the Chapel
Wednesdays, Feb. 25, March 4, 11, 18,
& 25
Fr.Vince Mesi, OFM
Join us for Taize prayer every Wednesday during
Lent. Refreshments will follow each prayer
service. “Come away from your busy life to rest
in the Lord.” 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm followed by a
reception.
Lenten Labyrinth Day
Wednesday, March 4, 2015
Dorothy Charbonneau
Lent is taking time to be grateful, to accept
who we are in God’s eyes and to continue to
spend a lifetime trusting God with our path in
life. Join other labyrinth walkers as we pray for
guidance, as we accept the falling down and getting up in our lives. Embrace the mystery of
moving forward. No previous labyrinth experience is needed. Check-in at 9:00; 9:30 am –
3:00 pm, lunch included. $40
Lenten Quiet Day
Monday, March 9, 2015
Set aside this day as a “quiet” day where you can
come away from the noise and hectic business of
your life.This Lenten Quiet day will begin with
communal prayer and end with Eucharist.You
may spend the in between time as you wish.The
grounds and Chapel will be open to you. Rena
Grant will facilitate this day. Check-in at 9:00;
9:30 am – 3:30 pm, lunch included. $45
Lenten Day of Renewal
Tuesday, March 17, 2015
Fr. Patrick Foley
“How is your Lent going so far?” Fr. Patrick will
help you reflect on this Lent with presentations,
scripture references, and prayer.The day will end
with Mass.
Check-in at 9:00; 9:30 am – 3:00 pm, lunch
included. $35
Silent Christian Meditation Day
“Through Holy Week to Easter, A
Contemplative Journey”
Saturday, March 21, 2015
Sr. Barbara Hazzard, OSB
We will gather on Saturday, March 21 to make
this journey through silent meditation. Please plan
to be present for the entire experience. Check-in
at 9:00; 9:30 am – 3:30 pm, lunch included. $55
Lenten Day of Silent Prayer for
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual &
Transgendered People
Saturday, March 21, 2015
Br. Mike Minton, OFM
As Christians, gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people have their own unique experience.
This day will use common practices of Lent to
explore, heal, and understand these experiences
in a deeper way as followers of Jesus. Check-in at
9:30 am, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm, lunch included.
$35
Lenten Day of Renewal
“Celebrating the Sacred Three Days”
Saturday, March 28, 2015
Fr.Vince Mesi, OFM
In this day long retreat, we will explore the deeper
meaning of the Sacred Pascal Triduum–Holy
Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter–by reflecting on
the various Scriptures, symbols, and rituals of this
high point of the liturgical year and its impact on our
spiritual lives.Through prayer and reflection, we will
be well prepared to enter fully into the celebration
of Holy Week. Check-in 9:30 am, begins at 10:00 am,
Mass begins at 4:00 pm. Lunch included. $35
Words of Pope Francis-
"With a tenderness which never disappoints,
but is always capable of restoring our joy,
God makes it possible for us to lift up our
heads and to start anew. Let us not flee from
the resurrection of Jesus, let us never give
up, come what will. May nothing inspire
more than his life, which impels us
onwards!' --"The Joy of the Gospel"
HOLY WEEK RETREAT
Fr. Vince Mesi, OFM & Br. Mike Minton, OFM
Join the friars and staff of San Damiano as we
walk through these high holy days of our church
year with Jesus. Focusing on the liturgies, day by
day, we’ll follow the same steps that led Jesus to
the cross…the tomb…and joyfully…to resurrection! The retreat ends with a festive brunch on
Easter Sunday morning. $255/$220
SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 2015
YOUNG ADULT RETREAT DAY
LIVING IN THE PRESENT MOMENT
Paula Jenkins, MAR, Br. Mike Minton, OFM,
Earl Rivard, & Carol Valladao
Much of Jesus' ministry centers on the choices
we have in the now, on being still to gain clarity,
on actively embracing love over fear, and on
learning to see difficult or challenging moments
with new eyes. His teachings and parables offer
insights on how to get closer to God's Eternal
Presence in the Present. In this retreat day we
will spend time looking at these teachings, discussing how we react, and how our choices
impact our lives. Check-in at 9:00 am,
9:30 am – 3:30 pm, lunch included.
$55
SUNDAY, APRIL 26, 2015
ABIDING PRESENCE
SURPRISING & SUSTAINING US
Sr. Marietta Fahey, SHF
This afternoon of reflection will focus on these
Easter days as we remember and celebrate our
experiences of Jesus with us, on our journey.
Surprising moments of grace and growth change
and sustain us as we live our ordinary day.
Check-in at 12:30 pm, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm. $15
THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015
THE INWARD JOURNEY
USING SOUL COLLAGE &
THE LABYRINTH
Dorothy Charbonneau & Rena Grant
Using Soul Collage and the Labyrinth, we will
take an inward journey to new awareness, healing, and wholeness. Soul Collage is an imaginative
and creative process where by we discover our
inner wisdom.The Labyrinth as a contemplative
walking prayer that can free creative energy.
Check-in at 9:00 am, 9:30 am – 3:30 pm, lunch included. $45
MAY 15-17, 2015
LIFE SHIFT
WORK & THE CHRISTIAN JOURNEY
Tom Bachhuber, Ed.D. & Jim Briggs
Life is about facing and managing change—career, personal, family, spiritual.This combination retreat and
workshop is an opportunity to reflect on your life
and your faith, exploring avenues for new opportunities.You will engage practical career transition content, poetry, and prayer. Each participant will set goals
and develop resources for change while experiencing
imaginative ways to know God’s presence on the
journey. $250/$220
SATURDAY, MAY 16, 2015
ABBA-IMMA QIGONG WORKSHOP
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Steve Harms, Kaleo & Elise Ching
Speaking in chorus with the 2,000 year old utterance
of the Lord's Prayer and moving in harmony with the
ancient practice of Qigong, the Abba-Imma Qigong
prayer blends Judeo-Christian and Taoist wisdom and
compassion.You will learn the theological, philosophical, and spiritual background and context of the
Lord’s Prayer along with exercises to open the mind,
heart, and body. Check-in at 9:00 am, 9:30 am – 4:00
pm, lunch included.
$60
MAY 29-31, 2015
HEALING & WHOLENESS
THE HEALING POWER OF GENEROSITY
Carol Mitchell, Ph.D. & Tom Gorham, MA, CADC II
Generosity, like its cousin compassion, has the power
to transform lives—not just of those receiving it.The
practitioner of generosity is also offered many opportunities for empowerment and healing. Come explore
with us the ways generosity can revolutionize your
life.There will be a mix of 12 Step and religious disciplines with large and small group exercises.
$225/$195
FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2015
FEAST OF THE SACRED HEART
JESUS: THE KING OF HEARTS
The San Damiano Friars
Join us for a day of prayer ending with Mass to honor
this feast day devoted to the Sacred Heart of
Jesus. Check-in at 9:00 am, 9:30 am – 3:00
pm, lunch included.
$35
JUNE 19-21, 2015
DREAMS WORKSHOP
DREAMING, DISCERNING
& DECISION MAKING
Jeremy Taylor
All dreams come for our health and wholeness (even nightmares) and impact the multiple decisions we face everyday. Many of us
decide to ask our dreams "what should I do?"
But dreams respond to this question indirectly; they draw our attention to unconscious
factors that influence the process of deciding.
For that reason, a much better question to
ask our dreams is "what might I be overlooking as I make this decision?" Dreams are
tools, not oracles. In this workshop we’ll
work with volunteered dreams, and learn
some ways to explore our dreams on our
own and in a group. No experience is necessary. $240/$210
JUNE 22-26, 2015
SILENT CONTEMPLATIVE
ONLY ONE THING IS NEEDED
Sr. Ishpriya
In our world of pain and confusion, of rapid
development and discovery, we need, more
than ever before, to keep our freedom to
Stop, Be Still and Listen to the Mystery of
Life.These days will offer you the opportunity
to live this Difficult Simplicity. $370/$310
JULY 26-31, 2015
5-DAY SILENT CONTEMPLATIVE
THE FRANCISCAN JOURNEY OF
THE HEART
Fr. Dan Riley, OFM
Come and allow Fr. Dan and our retreat center to lead you into a silent contemplative
week. Love and intimacy, union and communion are some of the topics Fr. Dan will speak
on.There will be a hermit day on Wednesday.
Bring a willingness to enter into inner silence
and be guided by God. $385/$320
Register Online!
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