Retreats

Online Retreat Weekend with Margaret Galiardi, OP and Pat Farrell, OP

Santa Sabina Center courtyard garden
Event Subtitle
Grounding Ourselves Where There Is No Ground: A Christian/Buddhist Perspective on Living in Interesting Times
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Available for Streaming

Join retreat leaders Margaret Galiardi, OP, and Pat Farrell, OP, for a virtual retreat sessions – two evenings and weekend days – through Zoom.

We find ourselves in one of the most tumultuous times in human history. How disconcerting for us earthlings who want the security of solid ground beneath our feet! Yet Christian and Buddhist teachings and practices point us, not toward security and safety, but to developing the ability to stand in the ebb and flow of the tides of life without giving up.

During this online retreat, we will spend time in sitting and walking meditation, staying with whatever thoughts and feelings arise. We will look at teachings from both Christian and Buddhist traditions that encourage us to experience a grounding that goes beyond our lack of footing.

Margaret Galiardi portrait   Pat Farrell portrait

About Margaret Galiardi, OP (left)
Margaret, a Dominican sister from Amityville, New York, is part of the Institute for Communal Contemplation and Dialogue. With experience in congregational leadership and a deep background in ecological theology and spirituality, she practices with Insifada Zen, a Long Island interfaith meditation community and is an experienced retreat leader.

About Pat Farrell, OP (right)
Pat, a Dominican sister of San Rafael, is the hosting manager here at Santa Sabina Center. Pat, a trained meditation teacher and retreat leader, has served in congregational leadership, and most recently was executive director of the Dominican Sisters Conference. She is a member of the Sophia Zen Sangha and enjoys sharing how Zen and Christianity complement each other.

Fee
Fee: $75 + convenience fee for the series (6 sessions)

Online Retreat with Pat Farrell, OP

Pat Farrell, OP
Event Subtitle
Laudato Sí and Beyond

In 2015 Pope Francis published the encyclical Laudato Si, issuing a call to Catholics to reflect on how consumerism and irresponsible development impacts environmental degradation and climate change. It is also a call, not only to Catholics, but to all people of Earth to take “swift and unified global action.” The release of the encyclical purposely coincided with the gathering of the nations for the signing of the Paris Climate Agreement in 2015.

Six years later, how are we doing? In California we have been increasingly distressed during our “fire seasons,” as are our neighbors in Colorado, Oregon, and as far as Australia. Given our prayer with Pope Francis during this retreat day, we will be each have the opportunity to reflect on our own responsibility and response to this ecological crisis.

This morning of presentation, reflection, and dialogue is co-sponsored by Santa Sabina Center and the Friends of the Dominican Sisters of San Rafael. 

Sr. Pat, a Dominican Sister of San Rafael, is the hosting manager here at Santa Sabina Center. Sr. Pat, a trained meditation teacher and retreat leader, has served in congregational leadership, and most recently was executive director of the Dominican Sisters Conference. She is a member of the Sophia Zen Sangha and enjoys sharing how Zen and Christianity complement each other.

Fee
Fee: $16

Retreat with Mark Nepo

Mark Nepo
Event Subtitle
Surviving Storms: Finding the Strength to Meet Adversity
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November 9–12, 2023

We live in a turbulent time. Storms are everywhere, of every size and shape. And like every generation before us, like every soul’s journey on Earth, we must learn the art of surviving storms, so we can help each other endure. Based on his new book, spiritual teacher and poet, Mark Nepo, will explore the art and practice of finding the strength to meet adversity by using the timeless teachings of the heart.

In truth, we are engaged in heartwork every second of every day. The more we accept the heart as our teacher, the more we are transformed by the obstacles we face into fully realized human beings. The reason heartwork is so important is that, as a tree needs to deepen its roots and widen its trunk to endure the force of unexpected storms, we need to know our true self so we can deepen our roots and solidify our connection to all Spirit and all life. Then, we, too, can endure the force of unexpected storms. This is especially relevant now, as we need to recover from the strident isolation and stubbornness of view that entangles us today.

To make our way through adversity requires an inner exploration we each must map for ourselves, though there are common passages along the way. Though our particular paths will vary, the ways we endure the storms we are given are timeless and the same. Once the rubble clears, we, like those before us, are inevitably called to build the world one more time, admitting that we need each other. Participants are asked to bring a journal.

Poet, teacher, philosopher and story-teller, Mark Nepo has been called one of the finest spiritual guides of our time. He has led two previous retreats for us at Santa Sabina, the most recent an online experience during the pandemic. Mark is excited to return in person to lead us fruitfully into our efforts to “survive the storms!” We, in turn, are anxious to share the gift that Mark brings to us. To explore more about Mark’s work, visit www.marknepo.com.

Date:
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Fee
Fee: $700 (Thursday evening dinner through Sunday lunch)
Deposit: $250

Advent Retreat with Fr. Joe Nassal, CPPS

Joe Nassal, CPPS
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December 15–17, 2023

The closing of one year and the opening of another provides an opportunity to pause and reflect on what has been and what we desire to open ourselves to in the New Year. Birth, promise, hope, loss, letting go, saying good-bye. Perennial themes on the spiritual journey. We relish the time of retreat with our inspiring story-master, Fr. Joe Nassal. Take time to celebrate life with us during Advent.

Fr. Joe is a Missionary of the Precious Blood who has been engaged in retreat, renewal and reconciliation ministry since 1988. He is the author of eight books including The Conspiracy of Compassion, Rest Stops for the Soul, and Premeditated Mercy. Ordained in 1982, Fr. Joe has served in parish, justice and peace, formation, and vocation ministry for his religious community, including 24 years in leadership. Past provincial director of the Kansas City Province, Joe is presently vice-provincial director of the United States Province.  He lives in Berkeley, CA where he is part of a team to establish a Mission House of Prayer for those who minister on the margins.

Date:
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Fee
Fee: $450 (Friday evening dinner through Sunday lunch)
Deposit: $150