In a recent post, I wrote of Brother Joseph F. Schmidt, FSC, and his amazingly insightful book Everything Is Grace: The Life and Way of Thérèse of Lisieux.
For years Br. Joe was at the International Renewal Center near Santa Fe, and is now living and teaching in teaching in Naorobi. Simply discovering this remarkable man and his work would have been gift enough. But Saturday night I discovered that he's temporarily back in the States and giving a retreat from July 16th through the 23rd on St.Thérèse, and prayer, in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
 |
| NEEDLES, CALIFORNIA |
 |
| CANOSSIAN SPIRITUALITY CENTER ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO |
he retreat is being given at the Canossian Spirituality Center. It so happens I'm going to be in Taos for the month of July. So I am going, darn it!
 |
| FR. LARRY BRITO AT THE "CALVARIO" NEAR THE TAOS, NEW MEXICO, MORADA HOLY WEEK 2010 |
I miss Albuquerque. I used to go to San Ignacio Catholic Church. If it's as good as it was for me back in 1985-86, I recommend a visit.
ReplyDeleteI read Praying Our Experiences, perhaps when it was first published, and it profoundly affected me and my spiritual life. I'm happy for you that you have discovered it. Now I will read Grace is Everything!
ReplyDeleteHeather, so glad that the book spoke to you! And I am even happier that you will be attending that retreat. I hope it brings you a gift of tranquility of the soul and peacefulness of the mind. :)
ReplyDeleteEmina! Meet the fab correspondent who turned me on to Praying Our Experiences, folks! Thank you so much--my summer plans have taken a real turn, and I can't wait to meet the good Br. Joseph Schmidt and steep in St. Therese for a whole week in Albuquerque...
ReplyDeleteBlessed be the Lord for this gift! May it be a time of renewal and healing for you. :)
ReplyDeleteExcellent news, Heather. I'm so happy for you!
ReplyDeleteInteresting coinkadink: I see Fr. Michael Crosby is leading the two retreats following Fr. Schmidt's. It was Fr. Michael's brother, Fr. Dan Crosby, who was with me when I bought Everything is Grace.
Twilight Zone!...that IS a coincadink...I am suddenly so stoked to be going to New Mexico, which as we know, lives and breathes Catholicism...
ReplyDeleteHaving just finished the year long Jesuit "at home" retreat, one of the most powerful parts of it was praying about my life experiences. Also, it's encouraged me to do a brief night reflection, asking myself where and how God was present to me during the day, and to give thanks for that. And the less enjoyable part of seeing where I had put up obstacles to other people and to Him, and to ask for forgiveness. I'm glad there is a new translation of Therese's story now; I've always felt badly that it seemed so sentimental that I couldn't quite relate. Hope to get your book when it comes out, too!
ReplyDeleteI'm hungry to read the book you recommend on St. Therese. Got bogged down in a Fatima book, discouraged by the strict picture depicted. "What would Heather King read?" seems a good question for me given how much I appreciate your blog.
ReplyDeleteHeather I am so happy for you! There is no doubt in my mind that The Little Flower invited you to this retreat as if she had left a bouquet of white roses on your doorstep. You deserve this bit of surprise summertime bliss. Enjoy! And Happy Birthday!
ReplyDeleteYeah! Thanks, people--I was not expecting this trip or turn of events at all, but now I'm making plans and am stoked. I'm forever mystified by the way we are led, ever so slowly, toward what we need next...
ReplyDelete"What Would Heather King Read?" might be the best question I've seen that I should ask myself on a regular basis. I copied some of the first paragraph of this post and sent it to a friend (my old Homicide Partner) who just lost his father, and who is a very good man, who tends to be "religious, but not spiritual."
ReplyDelete