A Time For Discernment
In a time of global economic crisis, deciding where our next step will take us can be daunting. It can be particularly tricky when we are also trying to discern God’s will in our life. Few of us are lucky enough to be knocked off our horse by specific instructions from God. Fortunately, the Christian tradition offers us a rich array of tools for discovering God’s will. In 2010 I will offer 8-day directed retreats for folks who are seeking a supportive place to seek to discern God’s will in their life.
To learn more about A Time for Discernment Retreats click here.
A Retreat Within Daily Life
God wants to meet us where we live. Most retreats expect you to go away to a retreat house. This retreat offers a full experience of the St. Ignatius’ Spiritual Exercises for the retreatant at home with the support of a spiritual director. Meetings with the director will be once a week at a mutually agreeable location. Pat can direct folks who live outside the Cleveland area by video-conference on SKYPE.
To learn more about A Retreat Within Daily Life click here.
Listening for the Heartbeat of God
A retreat that explores
the rhythms and beauty of Celtic Spirituality
Celtic spirituality is both ancient and fresh. It usually brings to mind Ireland and Scotland, but it grew out of the nomadic experiences of the Celts as they moved west from Eastern Europe, and the immanent mysticism of the Desert fathers and mothers. It celebrates God’s presence in all things, all places and all times. It is deeply Trinitarian and looks for God in nature and in our human experiences, in poetry, in music and in art. These weekend retreats will use Celtic spirituality to find God all around us and to celebrate God’s presence in each other. If you play a musical instrument, bring it. Saturday evening we may just have a ceilidh! If the weather cooperates, we might be able to have it under the stars!
To learn more about Listening for the Heartbeat of God click here.
Ignatius of Loyola:
The Accessible Mystic
After his mid-life conversion and transformation, Saint Ignatius was graced with a life of mystical intimacy with the Holy Trinity. His gift to all of who follow in his path is a step-by-step guide to mystical union with our loving God. This weekend retreat focuses on Ignatius' mystical graces about the Trinity, Creation, the Humanity of Jesus, and the Eucharist. We will use the wisdom of An Ignatian Pathway: Experiencing the Mystical Dimension of the Spiritual Exercises by Paul Coutinho, SJ as well as readings from Ignatius' autobiography, spiritual journal, and the Spiritual Exercises.
This is a new retreat for me. I will present it at two retreat centers in 2011:
The Jesuit Retreat House in Parma, Ohio - (September 9-11)
The John XXIII Center in Hartford City, Indiana (November 11-13)
To learn more about the Ignatius: the Accessible Mystic retreat click here
I also offer the following programs:
New Year's Eve Retreat
New Year's Eve is a wonderful time to stop and take stock of life. I use the tools of discernment to help the retreatants look back over the last year for signs of God at work in their lives and to look ahead in hope and longing to the New Year. I currently have a rotation of three retreat houses I do this retreat in. This year the retreat will be December 31, 2010 through January 2, 2011 at the John XXIII Retreat Center in Hartford City, Indiana.
Cherishing Our Call
A weekend of support, respite and celebration for those who minister among God’s People. We will celebrate, lament, and recommit to our call as ministers of the Kingdom and explore a variety of wellness ideas.
Retreat Days for Non-Profits
Providing service day in and day out is meaningful and fulfilling, but it can also be hard and stressful. These interfaith day retreats are designed to be refreshing and to help the staff recommit themselves to the mission of the agency.
Following the Light
As communities change and evolve, parishes and parish organizations need to grow, adjust, and/or redefine themselves. This retreat will help the community discern prayerfully together how the Spirit is guiding them.
"It is therefore quite clear that all Christians in any state or walk of life are called to the fullness of Christian life and to the perfection of love, and by this holiness a more human manner of life is fostered also in earthly society."
-- from the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church of the Second Vatican Council, paragraph 40.
If you are interested in contacting Pat Cleary-Burns about scheduling an
appointment for direction, please email me at pclearyburns@gmail.com.
Feedback from a New Year's Eve Retreatant
The New Year Retreat created a “sacred space” for us to end the old year and begin the new. There was a perfect blend of quiet time alone and sharing together with others seeking a spiritual experience. We had fun too, ringing in the New Year and a special ending celebrating Eucharist together.
Barb - 2008 and 2009 retreatant
