We are indeed in a time of global crisis and amidst a shift in our current structures of consciousness. Drawing on the work of Cynthia Bourgeault, G.I. Gurdjieff, Gebser, and others, this Wisdom School will focus on deepening presence in our three centers – intellectual, emotional, body – and how awakening in them can support us in the transformation of consciousness. We will also explore the practices of self-observation, self-remembering, conscious labor, and intentional suffering as a way of participating in what is needed for the whole right now.
Join us in person at the Mercy Center in Burlingame. There will be an invitation to a ‘wisdom way of knowing’ through a daily rhythm with periods of silence, centering prayer, teaching, conscious conversation, Gurdjieff Exercises and Movements, chanting, mindful work, lectio divina, and contemplative free time.
Recommended Reading:
‘Wisdom Way of Knowing’ by Cynthia Bourgeault
‘Seeing Through the World’ by Jeremy Johnson
Retreat Leaders:
Heather Ruce, M.A. is a wisdom spiritual director with training in a neurophysiology based approach to understanding the nervous system. She loves working with individuals as well as facilitating groups and retreats focused on learning and practicing the Christian Wisdom Tradition.
Joy Andrews Hayter, Ph.D. is a spiritual director whose offerings include Centering Prayer and other contemplative practices of the Christian Wisdom tradition. These practices encourage us to lean into the Love that is constantly being offered within a relational web of Sacred Unity. As a scientist she sees in the physical world an expression of that love.
Catherine Regan, Ph.D. is a spiritual director, retired psychologist, and adjunct staff member at Mercy Center, primarily serving on the Centering Prayer team. She has a special interest in participating in the reclamation of the Christian Wisdom tradition and fostering the contemplative practices so urgently needed at this time in our world.
Cost – $625
The above comes from a late August posting on the Archdiocese of San Francisco website.
Can these repetitive old crones ever come up with something new?
They have been hawking the same useless nonsense since 1966.
The only thing that changes is that they get older.
They have absolutely no one to follow them, so eventually it will stop.
These “nuns” are sloppy, careless, hedonistic, heretical fools with the Catholic Faith, which they falsely represent. Our Church, founded by Christ, has very definite religious teachings– straight from Our Lord! We must listen carefully to Jesus Christ, respect Him, and do exactly as He says. We can only enter Heaven by the “Narrow Gate,” precisely. There is no “Broad Road,” no careless, sloppy, lazy “shortcuts” to Salvation, and to Heaven. If we listen carefully, and do exactly, precisely, as Christ says– we will have the chance for Heaven, Eternal Life, in blessed Divine Union with Jesus Christ!
The three child visionaries of Fatima, two of whom became Saints, never needed such nonsense as the superficial, “New Age” false mystical stuff, to become deeply in union with God. Our Blessed Mother guided them, all the way. The children were obedient, and listened to Our Lady, and followed what she told them– even though it was very, very hard at times. There are no “shortcuts” to holiness and Salvation.
Dried up hippies promoting more paganism…and they wonder why the parishes are empty
gotta turn a buck
“Join us in person at the Mercy Center in Burlingame.” Heck, no.
I doubt any of those women — and note that they are all women, very old women — have any wisdom to offer. And I bet every single one of them is a gay-affirming, trans-affirming, Democrat voting minion of the underworld. Notice there’s no mention of Christ. Tells you everything. These fools think they’re enlightened. They’re benighted and confused. No man and no young people are interested in this kookiness.
I recall, nearly 30 years ago, Mercy Center had a special program, adapted from the famous 30-day Ignatian retreat, called the “19th Annotation” — same material, but you would stay at home, and commute to Mercy Center on certain evenings, for the retreat. So I made an appointment, to apply for the retreat. A Mercy Sister in secular clothes, (no habit) greeted me, in her office. She had a list of questions. Pointing to the crucifix on the wall, she said, “as a woman, do you have issues with men–are you a lesbian? Do you have issues with the Church?” I exclaimed, “For heaven’s sake, Sister, this is a Catholic retreat house! What on earth are you doing? Don’t you serve good, decent, devout Catholics and their families anymore? What’s going on?” Then she explained that after Vatican II, their religious order collapsed, and they had to change the Mercy Sisters’ order, and change their retreat house, into something completely different, for the “needs of the times.” Otherwise, they couldn’t stay in existence anymore. And they were going broke! I replied, “oh, that’s what happened to the Jesuits, the Benedictine nuns, and many others!” The nun replied, “well, if you are a regular, devout, practicing Catholic, and believe in all that the Church teaches– you won’t fit, here. We are now modernized, radical, feminist, and serve troubled people who do not “fit” the Church and are rebels– like feminists, lesbians, women who feel hurt by the Church. That’s how we can survive, and make money.” I said, “What a terrible thing! You should take that crucifix off the wall!” Then I left. Mercy Center is ridiculous!
Mercy High School is worse.
Or it WAS worse. The school closed a few years ago and the property was sold. It’s now a Chinese international school.
See where paganism leads? The wages of sin is death. Sisters of Mercy, you won’t be missed.
Right after Vatican II, when I was living in a different city, we were preparing for Holy Week and the Triduum and Easter Vigil, and someone asked me to please play Mercy Sister Suzanne Toolan’s “I Am the Bread of Life” for them. I took a look at it, and was horrified. We were still following pre-Vatican II rules, for liturgical music, with only a few exceptions. The words to this “religious song”(not a true hymn) were blasphemous. How could a nun come up with these lyrics? I said that I didn’t think it would work out, but played it through once on the organ for them. And our Pastor and Music Director both said, “No.” Long ago, the Sisters of Mercy, founded in Ireland, were well-respected.
“What is wrong with the words of the song?
You who come to Me shall not hunger;
And who believe in Me shall not thirst,
No one can come to Me
Unless the Father beckons.”
It is blasphemous for us to say, especially at Mass– “I am the Bread of Life.” No– you, the mere human being, are certainly NOT the “Bread of Life!” Good religious poets always acknowledge worship of God and Christ in a highly respectful, correct, and pious manner! This nun had very bad, sloppy writing, unworthy of the holy Bread of Life– CHRIST– Who is Truly Present, in the Holy Eucharist, at Mass!
It is quotations from the Bible.
John 6
Yes, Lord, I believe
that you are the Christ,
the Son of God,
who has come
into the world.
This is the last verse of “I am the Bread of Life”
The lyrics are almost all direct quotes from John 6. What’s wrong with them?
As I said– the lyrics reflect bad, sloppy writing. Human beings are NOT the “Bread of Life!” After Vatican II, with the emphasis on humanism, there were some goofed-up vernacular English religious songs, written by amateurs (not proper Catholic hymns) with the mistaken emphasis on human beings, wrongfully taking the place of Christ, or God. As you may see, in reading the texts of proper Catholic hymns, the lyrics are carefully crafted by professionals, to correctly express Catholic teachings. Otherwise, they shouldn’t be used in the Mass. Hopefully, all the theological errors and humanistic sloppiness of the Vatican II era, will someday be cleaned up.
Blasphemous, please read the Bible.
John 6;34-35 – “So they said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.” Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.” So, the song is well written with good Bible quotes. The “I” is Jesus speaking, not the singer calling himself “I.”
Shockingly (to me) Bobone is right in all his responses to you. You are wrong. Give it a rest. Move on….
As I said, the writing is sloppy– the amateur writer didn’t bother to take the Biblical passage and create a professionally-written, decent, metrical, rhyming poem, with the emphasis on wonder and adoration of Christ, Truly Present, in the Holy Eucharist– like countless poets and hymn writers, all through the centuries. St. Thomas Aquinas wrote five outstanding, classical Eucharistic poems, set to music– translated also into beautiful, metrical, rhyming verse, in vernacular languages, including English. Before Vatican II, the Catholic Church was very careful and exact, with her theological teachings, in the liturgical music, for the Mass. Church musicians were given instructions to follow, for everything– all the Masses, weddings, funerals, etc. No “baloney.” If someone requested something unusual for a wedding or funeral Mass— the priest might ask the Bishop of the Diocese about it, if he wasn’t sure– and then tell his decision. And you had to accept it.
Blasphemous, I understand what you are saying, but it is not blasphemous. Anymore that if you read John 6 out loud. You are quoting Jesus not attributing divinity to yourself.
I am more comfortable when I allow it to be a meditation during Communion and just let the choir sing and not sing it myself.
Yes, in today’s irresponsible era, it’s “do as you please,” nobody cares…not even the Pope! So what? Don’t bother to come to Mass, either! “All for “Me-Me-Me” (with a capital “M”)– and My Human Comforts.” “And god (with a little “g”)– don’t bother Me!” Instead of “blasphemous”– which the nun did not intend — let’s just call it– “sloppy writing.” Sloppy post-Conciliar Church. Anything goes. And everyone is used to it, even the Pope.
Bob One and others– according to professional standards of that time, this musical piece was not deemed acceptable at Mass. Today is a different era. Our culture and our Church have discarded standards for everything. Today, a better word criticizing this religious song (not a hymn) would be: “sloppy writing.” The nun did not really intend to be “blasphemous,” that’s a little too harsh. So be it. I much prefer the five beautiful Latin Eucharistic hymns– great, classical works– of St. Thomas Aquinas, set to music. There are also many beautiful vernacular language translations, all in lovely, metrical, rhyming verse, of these outstanding hymns. You can choose for yourself, what you prefer.
Also, at that time– now long ago– it was considered very wrong, to receive the Holy Eucharist in the hand. And there was no such thing as a Eucharistic Minister. I should not go so far as to call such things “blasphemy,” just “sloppy,” “poor standards.” That’s all. I was a little too harsh. If I were a great hymn writer, perhaps I would take the Scriptural passage from St. John 6:35, and first introduce it, with a metrical, rhyming stanza. I would have lovely words of praise and adoration at the Wonder of the great Mystery of Christ in the Holy Eucharist. I might say something from that Scripture passage, about how God gave the Jews manna in the desert. And now, Christ will give us the wondrous Bread of Life! Then, I might write a lovely refrain, with Jesus’ actual Scriptural words. But first, I would introduce the subject, making it clear that these words are the Lord’s. I might write several stanzas, based on this Scriptural passage. And have His words as the refrain. “Jesus told them, I Am the Bread of Life… ” (etc.)
I can’t believe she was so open about what they were doing.
Are not Eucharisitc Adoration and prayer of intercession the most urgently needed prayer forms of this time?
G.I. Gurdjieff was an occultist who was involved in promoting the enneagram. Fr. Mitch Pacwa SJ and others have pointed out the dangers of Gurdieiff, a Sufi mystic. There is no school for wisdom. One can be educated, but that doesn’t make one wise. As the Lord has revealed repeatedly in the Scriptures, wisdom comes from Him. See James 3:13-18 for one example. The Apostles didn’t go to “wisdom school.” Rather, they sat humbly at the feet of Wisdom Himself, as did His mother. Pray for these confused and confusing “teachers.” There is, at best, a half truth in Dr. Hayter’s encouraging people to “lean into the Love that is constantly being offered within a relational web of Sacred Unity. As a scientist she sees in the physical world an expression of that love.” Does she accept the Creed(s) of the Church? True mercy centers us on Jesus Christ, true God and true man, mercy uniquely incarnate. Kyrie eleison.
I’m kind of surprised that CCD would promote this.
I had to look up Guirdiff movements and YIKES!
Are you sure that you want to promote this?
reporting neighborhood crimes is not the same as promoting them. it’s good to be aware of what is lurking at retreat centers and parishes in the dioceses of California.
Read it. They even give the price for it.
Yes, maybe they just posted it so we would go nuts in the comment section.
But they still promoted it.
It is from the Archdiocese of San Francisco website.
Archbishop Cordileone’s Archdiocese!
Wouldn’t happen in mine.
The bishop’s office would be flooded with complaints.
It started today so no chance to stop it.
This blasphemous retreat center should not exist. It should have long ago been shut down by the Archbishop. I did ask Levada (now gone) once, why he would not shut down Mercy Center. His answer? “Because of Vatican II.” Same answer I have always gotten from other prelates I have talked to, since Vatican II. Bad Catholic schools, colleges, retreat centers, etc., deceive good, decent Catholics and their families – and grab their money. And the Catholic Church lets them do this.
When Cardinal Levada served as our Archbishop, there was a famous Greek Orthodox mystic, also a wife and mother, named “Vassula,” who came to town, to give a presentation. She claimed to be receiving visions with messages from Christ, and wrote a book about it. Her messages, supposedly from Christ, contained many theological errors. Abp. Levada warned Catholics sternly not to go to Vassula’s presentation. I had been invited by some friends to go, and they gave me a copy of her book. I pointed out the errors in her messages, and Abp. Levada’s stern warnings. They didn’t care, they were impressed with her and with any and every so-called
“mystic.” They had been to Medjugorje several times. Well, I told them “no,” as well as other Catholics planning to see this false mystic.Too bad Levada and other past archbishops didn’t also clean up Catholic schools, Catholic Charities, and other Catholic institutions. And go after bad Catholic political leaders, like Nancy Pelosi.
me, me thinks they are informing us, not promoting it. I’m sure they’re not promoting everything in every story they post.
Isn’t this SICK, posted on the Archdiocesan website? Sloppy Vatican II era. Nobody cares.
my wife is a nurse
sometime ago she worked
at one of the order’s hospitals
they touted the “Mercy style of care”
the reality was “The Merciless Style of Care”
Why don’t they celebrate the TLM?
Right on time. The day after this story was posted.
ya gotta wear polyester to attend ???
This is on the Archdiocese of SF website under EVENTS and it says that they gladly review all submissions.
I am not in this diocese but if this happened in my diocese, I would complain to the bishop.
Worse news. The famous LGBT promoter, Fr. James Martin, S.J., just announced that the Pope renewed his appointment for another five years, as a consultant to the Vatican’s Dicastery of Communications. Fr. Martin just upset many people, with his announcement of the death of 95-year-old gay clergy predator, Abp. Rembert Weakland, OSB, of Milwaukee, WI, noting his accomplishments… and not being very critical of his extreme failings. Then he apologized. Weakland illegally provided hush money to shut up one of his gay lovers, a young seminarian, robbing Catholics of Church donations. Shortly before his retirement, Weakland confessed that he began having gay lovers right after his episcopal ordination– and said that he did not believe gay sex acts were sinful. He was a Benedictine monk, and previously an Abbot.
Bad news, the Rev. Martin announces a lot of things via his Twitter account. Have you seen that news anywhere else? Like the Vatican website?
May Rev. Martin should go on a silent retreat for the next 40
years.
My comment of Aug. 26 at 7:22 am was edited. Abp. Weakland publicly stated that he did not believe gay sex acts to be sinful. I strongly disagree! And I think he should have been defrocked, excommunicated– and thrown in jail, a long time ago! He was a very dangerous clergy gay predator!
Weakland repaid the cover up money in full through money he earned via speaking engagements. He should never have been in that situation, but at least he apologized and repaid his debt. More than we can say for those prelates who build monstrous mansions for themselves at Church expense. Thank you for noting that Father Martin apologized for his initial comments on Weakland’s death.
Weakland was a filthy, dirty, and dangerous criminal in clerical garb– a great danger to the Church and to society. He stated publicly that he did not believe that acts of sodomite gay pervert sex were sinful. And he also stated that he began having gay lovers– victims of rape– right after his episcopal ordination! A horrific sacrilege! How many lives of young men did he destroy? He also, as Archbishop of Milwaukee, mishandled cases of clergy sex abuse. He should have long ago been defrocked, excommunicated, and prosecuted, and sent to prison, for all his horrific, filthy sins and crimes! And he should not be entitled to a Catholic funeral. How about all those sufffering gay rape victims, after his episcopal ordination? No justice for all those poor victims, ever.
If Weakland were still alive, he’d be in contention for the annual Mr. McCarrick Award, hosted by America’s favorite celebrity priest, James Martin, with a special video address by the President (if his staff can find him and bring him to the teleprompter) where he’ll once again proudly display his Rosary beads (if he can find them). “You know, man, when I was a young devout Catholic growing up in Scranton, Pennsylvania…”
To curious, Did you mean did Archbishop Weakland die? Yes. August 22
Fr. Martin removed the post where he said that Archbishop Weakland was a friend of his after the backlash.
And replaced it with a more apologetic, critical post.
You can see the original here.https://www.ncregister.com/blog/james-martin-tweet-on-weakland
As an aside: He waffled on the Dobbs decision after backlash including death threats, too, saying what he posted was the statement from the Jesuits not his own thoughts.
Then he posted his ambiguous thoughts.
This probably was gossip and I should not have posted it.
No, Rev. Martin saying that the Pope re-appointed him to his Vatican post for another five years.
Curious, the news comes solely from Martin. LifeSiteNews reports it using a Vatican City dateline, but the article only attributes the news to Martin’s Twitter account. He shows a letter written in Latin that he claims is from March but he only now has permission to announce it.
Recently, a man asked me in a grocery store parking lot for money for his church. I told him I already give money to a church. After finishing shopping and when exiting the store, a heavy-set woman with a thinner man were behind me with a full shopping cart. When I opened the exit door and went out, another man asked for money for the same church. I told him the same thing. He then said hello to and seemed to know the woman behind me. He asked her how much it was to have his palm read. She answered, “Eighty dollars.” Then I knew where my money would have gone.
Besides all her goofy “New Age” occult dabblings, it says in the retreat information, that Cynthia Bourgeault is an Episcopal lady priest (priestess?).
I don’t believe women should be ordained, even in the Episcopal Church. But anyway– perhaps if this Episcopal lady “priestess” had a deep, authentic, honest, and true relationship with Our Lord, she would dump all her silly, useless “New Age” occult “baloney.” Her church shouldn’t let their clergy do what she is doing, false to Christ, her Lord and Savior. It is DISHONEST! And the occult, infested with the Devil and his minions, is very dangerous and deceptive– and totally wrong! It is forbidden, in the Bible. All of these dishonest, phony, fake religious Mercy Center retreat leaders need an honest, true, authentic relationship with Christ, and to practice the Catholic Faith correctly, sincerely, and stop being DISHONEST to God and to God’s People. Christ needs to again drive the wicked money-changers out of His Temple.