May 2008

Dear Friends of the Spiritual Life Center,

Greetings of joy in the Risen Christ! As I write this, the great feast of Easter is complete and we contemplate the return of Ordinary Time. Here at the Spiritual Life Center, we are winding down our season, in preparation for much needed rest and relaxation over the summer months. The Center will close after the 4th of July weekend and reopen after Labor Day.

We do have one more series upcoming before our doors close for the summer however. Radmar Jao, S.J. and members of the California Province of the Society of Jesus will present a three part Summer Spirituality Series called 18" to God: A Heart and Mind Approach to Prayer and Discernment. The series will take place June 23, 24 and 25 from 7:00 - 9:00 PM in the Spiritual Life Center. Please see the website for further information and how to register.

In addition, Knit, Pray, Love will continue to meet throughout the summer on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month from 6:30 - 8:30 PM. All are welcome.

This year has seen many wonderful events at Center. Sean Dempsey, S.J. faithfully led our Wednesday evening Scripture Study and Greg Schenden, S.J. hosted two movie nights and many Friday evening book club meetings. In addition, both Sean and Greg led retreatants through the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola. Soon we will bid them farewell as they depart for Ordination to the Priesthood and their first priestly assignments. Sean will be heading to St. Francis Xavier parish in Phoenix and Greg will be off to Holy Trinity Church in Georgetown to be priest to our Catholic politicians in Washington D.C.! I am personally grateful to Sean and Greg for their faithful service to us here at St. Agnes and the Spiritual Life Center. May God continue to abundantly bless them in their ministry.

Over the summer I will be adding our fall programming to the website. Highlights include a visit in October by author Jim Forest and an Advent Retreat. Please check back for further information.

Finally, for the first time this year the Spiritual Life Center offered The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius in daily life. In this way, the Exercises are completed over the course of 30 weeks, rather than 30 days. We are in the process of putting together a new group for the fall. Please contact me should you be interested in this program.

I remain grateful to all who have helped out at the Center and to all those who have attended programs here. I look forward to another wonderful year next year and in the meantime I will keep you all in my prayers and ask that you do the same for me.

In Christ's Risen Peace,

Rosemary Robinson