Fall - Winter September 2011 - February 2012

Volume 33, No. 1

UPPER ROOM OFFERINGS

A CENTER FOR COMPANIONING OTHERS

Spiritual Direction Directed Prayer Weekends/Week­long Retreats

Spiritual Direction Education/Supervisor Training Professional Days for Spiritual Directors

A CENTER FOR CONTEMPLATION

Gathering Place for Taizé Prayer and Centering Prayer Private/Communal Prayer Spaces/Liturgy

Labyrinth

A CENTER FOR EDUCATION

Courses/Workshops on Prayer, Scripture, Spirituality Courses/Workshop on psychological and physical health

from a God­centered perspective Retreat Days for parish and school communities and

other faith communities Professional development and leadership training in

many areas of personal and spiritual growth

Sixteenth Annual Spirituality Conference

Melannie Svoboda, SND

Saturday, November 12, 2011 Georgian Court University

Lakewood, NJ

FULLY ALIVE IN GOD RETREAT IN EVERYDAY LIFE

SEPTEMBER 2011 ~ APRIL 2012

Maureen Christensen, RSM Trudy Ahern, SSJ

Maureen Conroy, RSM

FULLY ALIVE IN GOD RETREAT IN EVERYDAY LIFE September 2011 ~ April 2012

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Presenters: Maureen Conroy, RSM, Trudy Ahern, SSJ, Maureen Christensen, RSM

Day/Time: Tuesday evenings, 7:00 pm ~ 9:30 pm (dates are above)

Fee: $450 (includes manual ) $100 deposit by September 17th

Limited number of partial Scholarships are available. Please e­mail office@theupper­room for more information

“I have come that you may have life and have it to the full!” (Jn 10:10) God desires to give us a life full of God’s grace, permeated with God’s love. Jesus desires that we come to know him more intimately, to love him more deeply, to follow him more closely­­which will enable us to be fully alive in God.

The Upper Room is offering a “Retreat in Everyday Life” that will enable participants to enter more deeply into a life grounded in God’s presence. We will meet once a month for group sharing and input on a spiritual theme. Suggestions for prayer are offered; you are encouraged to pray daily for a half hour. Meeting with a spiritual director individually each month is recommended. This program is for those who:

• have a hunger for God and desire to deepen their relationship with Jesus; • desire to strengthen their prayer life; • are discerning a call or change in their life; and/or • are discerning a call to any ministry, including becoming a spiritual director By participating in this retreat, we are confident that God will abundantly bless your commitment to prayer

and desire for a deeper spiritual journey.

DATES AND TOPICS

September 27, 2011 “What are You Looking for?” (Jn. 1)

Our Desires and God’s Desires

October 18, 2011 “You are Precious in My Eyes” (Is. 43)

Experiencing God’s Love

November 8, 2011 “Have Mercy on Me, O Lord” (Ps.5)

God’s Merciful Love

December 6, 2011 “The Word Became Flesh” (Jn.1)

Knowing and Loving Jesus

January 10, 2012 “Come and See!” (Jn.1) Ministering with Jesus

February 7, 2012 “Come Follow Me.” (Lk.5) Responding to Jesus’ Call

March 6, 2012 “Unless a Grain of Wheat.” (Jn.12)

Dying with Jesus

April 3, 2012 “He is Risen”

Being with the Risen Lord

April 24, 2012 “Drinking of Living Waters.” (Jn.4)

The Fullness of God’s Love

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UPPER ROOM SPIRITUAL CENTER Sixteenth Annual Spirituality Conference

featuring Melannie Svoboda, SND

International speaker at conferences, parish missions, and retreats, poet, writer and author of over ten books including Traits of a Healthy Spirituality and When the Rain Speaks.

Holiness is Wholeness Signposts of a Healthy Spirituality

Saturday, November 12, 2011 ~ 9:00am ­ 4:00 pm

Georgian Court University, Lakewood, NJ Please register through the Upper Room Spiritual Center

Fee: $65 ~ $80 (sliding scale) $5 late fee after November 7th _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Name:______________________________________Amount Encl:_________________ Address__________________________________________________________________ City______________________________State:____________________Zip:__________ Phone:_____________________________E­mail:_______________________________

Box Lunch available for additional $7.00

Turkey Wrap _______ Vegetable Wrap ________ (includes Potato Chips, Fruit and Beverage)

Checks payable to the Upper Room and mail to the: Upper Room Spiritual Center

3455 W. Bangs Avenue, Building 2, Neptune, NJ 07753 www.theupper­room.org e­mail: office@theupper­room.org

²Programs ²

Knitting and Prayer Learn how to combine your knitting/crocheting skills, prayer

and compassion and be rewarded with the satisfaction of creating a prayer shawl. Little or no experience required.

Presenter: Lois Dougherty A spiritual director at the Upper Room and a very experienced knitter

Dates: Wednesdays, Sept. 21, Oct. 19, Nov. 16, Dec. 14, 2011, Jan. 18 Feb. 15, Mar. 14, Apr. 18, May 16, 2012

Time: 1:30 pm ­ 3:30 pm Fee: $15

Registration required one week in advance. Participants do not need to attend all classes

Taizé Prayer A Contemplative Experience

“In the common prayer, the spirit of praise gives glimpses of the invisible. And within you comes

welling up the wonder of a love.” Brother Roger of Taizé

Come for a refreshing evening of communal contemplative prayer. This evening of prayer will use the format of the Taizé Community in France…psalm singing, Scripture readings, si­ lence, and prayer around the cross. Presenters: Faithful Love Music Group Date: Monday, September 12, 2011 Time: 7:30 ­ 9:00 pm

Free will offering gratefully accepted

A Women’s Gathering It Was the Women Who Stayed

Throughout Jesus’ life the loving support, faithfulness and friendship of women was evident.

Join a circle of women as we explore the sacred dimension of friendship through the lens of faith, tradition, scripture, and our own life experience. Using some references of Joan Chittister’s book, Friendship of Women, we will be looking at women of faith including the often­overlooked voices and experiences of women in Scripture.

Date: Saturdays, Oct. 15, Nov. 19, Dec. 17, 2011 Jan. 21, Feb. 18, Mar. 17, Apr. 21, May 5, 2012

Time: 10:00am Fee: $15 ~ $20 For further information call Cecilia Rahner at 732­223­2880

Centering Prayer Come to the Quiet

Come on Tuesdays and Thursdays to experience a silent com­ munion with God as a group of prayers. We will start with Lec­ tio Divina ­­ the reading, reflecting and being touched by the word of God, leading into contemplation, entering the silence that is Centering Prayer. Centering prayer practiced as a group is amazingly powerful and fulfilling. Come join us in the silence. Presenter: Bunny Scott

Spiritual Director at the Upper Room; Facilitator of Centering Prayer groups for many years

Dates: Every Tuesday from 11:30 am ­ 12:30 pm.

Every Thursday from 6:30 pm ­ 7:30 pm A DVD with the same themes as Tuesday Programs will be held on: Sept. 15, Oct. 13, Nov. 10, Dec. 15, 2011, Jan. 12, Feb. 16, 2012 Free will offering gratefully accepted

Spirituali-Tea Catherine McAuley, foundress of the Sisters of Mercy, would

encourage her sisters to share a “comfortable cup of tea” with their guests. In this tradition, come for an afternoon tea and en­ joy a refreshment of body, mind, spirit and the company of oth­ ers. The time will include prayer and brief spiritual reflection followed by a traditional afternoon tea with assorted delectables. You’re welcome to bring your favorite teacup and hat!

Presenter: Maureen Christensen, RSM Upper Room Co­director

Date: Wednesday, September 14, 2011 Time: 2:00 pm ­ 4:00 pm Fee: $25 ~ $35

Registration with a $10 deposit by Sept. 8th

Opening to the Presence of God Centering Prayer:

A Journey to Intimacy with God Centering Prayer is a practical way of implementing Jesus’

teaching on how to pray. Fr. Keating’s DVD’s will guide us on our journey to our center where God resides. Sessions include: Input, DVD, Discussion, Centering Prayer, and Lectio Divina.

Facilitator: Bunny Scott (See previous description)

Day &Time: Tuesdays 10:00 am ­ 2:30 pm Fee: $35 ~ $45 (Light lunch provided)

The Ultimate Reality………………………...September 20, 2011 Prayer as Relationship……………………….October 18, 2011 Practicing Centering Prayer,………………...November 15, 2011 The Human Condition,……………………...December 20, 2011 Deepening your relationship with God ……..January 17, 2012 A Lifelong Journey………………………….February 21, 2012

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Liturgies The Eucharist is usually celebrated at 11:30 am on Thursday each week.

If you are coming from a distance, we recommend you call ahead to confirm.

Maintaining Sobriety One Day at a Time

Our Twelve Step Program of Recovery teaches us how to live this way of life by offering us three steps to maintain what we have received through the work of the first nine steps of recovery.

This program, on the Spirituality of the Maintenance Steps, will look at the wisdom of the founders of Alcoholics Anonymous to create the way for persons in recovery to live a life “happy, joyous and free.”

Steps Ten, Eleven, and Twelve are the keys to long­term recovery from addiction.

Presenter: Maureen Murphy, OP A spiritual director and has many years with 12 Step Recovery and giving retreats.

Date: Thursday, September 29, 2011 Time: 7:00 pm– 9:30 pm Fee: $25 ~ $35

Registration with a $10 deposit by September 22nd

Knitting as a Time of Waiting A Retreat Day

Knitting provides the contemplative space and time to re­ flect on our inward journey as it unfolds and reveals God’s love for us. Join us for this wonderful day as we gather to knit, pray, and reflect on our journey of life. Bring a project in process or simple patterns to share.

Presenters: Lois Dougherty and Mary Reidy Lois and Mary are spiritual directors at the Upper Room.

Date: Saturday, October 1, 2011 Time: 9:30am – 3:30 pm Fee: $50 ~ $60 (Light lunch included) Registration with a $20 deposit required by Sept. 23rd

Introduction to Spiritual Direction When it Comes to God, What do you Long for?

Today many Christians, serious about their relationship with God, looking for God in their life circumstances and desiring to deepen their prayer, participate in spiritual direc­ tion. During this program we will define spiritual direction, discuss what a person brings to it and model a session with a spiritual director. The process is simple and the journey is profound.

Presenters: Trudy Ahern, SSJ, & Anne Ryan Trudy is Co­director of the Upper Room and educator of spiritual directors. Anne is a spiritual director and educator of spiritual directors.

Date: Thursday, October 13, 2011 Time: 7:00pm – 9:30pm Fee: $15 ~ $25

Registration with a $10 deposit by Oct. 6th

“Be Still and Know….!” Craniosacral Therapy for

Total Well-Being This full­day workshop will give an overview of Craniosac­

ral Therapy, discuss the many health benefits, demonstrate techniques, and offer you a unique opportunity to experience the healing process of Craniosacral Therapy in the context of a spiritually­grounded environment.

Presenter: Maureen Conroy, RSM, D.Min. Co­director of the Upper Room, Practitioner of Holistic Modalities, Author

Date: Saturday October 15, 2011 Times: 9:30 am ­ 5:30 pm Fee: $100 Please call or e­mail for a brochure that contains a complete

description of the program. Registration with a $40 deposit by Oct. 8th

The Art of Caregiving

This program focuses on how one can make the difficult task of caregiving be a spiritual, life­giving, meaningful, and posi­ tive experience. It will include: input, prayer and reflection.

Presenter: Anne McCoy, SSJ Serves as Chaplain at Cancer Treatment Center of America. She is an experienced spiritual and retreat director and has offered many programs on faith formation.

Date: Thursday, October 20, 2011 Time: 7:00 pm ­ 9:30 pm Fee: $25 ~ $35

Registration with a $10 deposit by Oct. 13th

Saints: Here, There and Everywhere

In an age when we sometimes wonder who we are, and where we are going ­ the saints offer us “lessons of encourage­ ment” that enrich our lives and offer us energy for our disciple­ ship. Come this evening to explore the communion of saints our beloved family and friends who accompany us even now. Our evening will include input, prayer, reflection, and sharing.

Presenter: Trudy Ahern, SSJ Co­director of the Upper Room

Date: Wednesday, November 2, 2011 Time: 7:00 pm ­ 9:30 pm Fee: $25 ~ $35

Registration with a $10 deposit by Oct. 25th

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Advent Series

What Are God’s Dreams for You? Through presentation, group discussions, and guided medita­

tion, we will explore together where God is inviting us, at this point in our lives, to healing, growth, and being more fully alive. It might be something big that you don’t dare to dream for your­ self or something less dramatic like repairing or strengthening a relationship. God’s energy may be moving us in certain direc­ tions, but it takes some work to become fully aware of it and let it partner with us in our life decision making.

Presenters: Jack Hudak and Jim Moseman Jim, a Spiritual Director at the Upper Room & at St. Anselm’s Parish, is a Systems Engineer at AT&T. Jack is Music Director at St. Justin Parish and a Life Empowerment Coach.

Date: Wednesday, November 16, 2011 Time: 7:00 pm ­ 9:30 pm Fee: $25 ~ $35

Registration with a $10 deposit by Nov. 4th

Daughter of Darkness, Mother of Light

What does Mary have to teach us through our times of Advent? An evening designed to facilitate a deepening of one’s spiritual life, through the embrace of “What is.”

Presenter: Anna Saltzman, RSM Spiritual director, involved in Pastoral Ministry, Adult Faith Formation and currently Campus Ministry.

Date: Wednesday, November 30, 2011 Time: 7:00 ­ 9:00 pm Fee: $25 ~ $35

Registration with a $10 deposit by Nov. 23rd

Advent Taizé “In the common prayer, the spirit of praise gives glimpses of the invisible. And within you comes

welling up the wonder of a love.” Brother Roger of Taizé

Come for a refreshing evening of communal contemplative prayer using the beautiful chants of the Taizé community. This Advent evening of prayer will include…psalm singing, Scripture readings, silence, and prayer at the crèche.

Presenters: Faithful Love Music Group Date: Monday, December 5, 2011 Time: 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm

Free Will Offering

Advent Day of Recollection As the darkness and cold of winter are again upon us, we

retreat into the depths of our hearts to commune with the Spirit of God always present there and where we find constant light and warmth.

In this time of great busyness come for a day to nourish your spirit! The day will include Liturgy and a light lunch.

Presenter: Rev. Richard Rento Chaplain at Seabrook Village in Tinton Falls and a regular broadcaster on Station WPAT.

Date: Thursday, December 15, 2011 Time: 9:30 am ­ 2:30 pm Fee: $50 ~ $60 (Light lunch included)

Registration with a $20 deposit by Dec. 9th

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Memorial Tree Of Lights

During November the Upper Room will illuminate a tree with many lights to re­ member your deceased loved ones. You are invited to sponsor a light on this tree and dedicate this to someone dear to you who is

deceased and living in God’s eternal light. Each memorial light is a $10 donation.

Your loved ones will be enrolled in a special memory book displayed at the Upper Room and at Liturgy every Thursday during November. Also, you will receive a spe­ cial memory card. These special Memorial Lights will shine throughout the month of November on a tree inside the foyer of the Upper Room.

The illumination of the Memorial Tree will take place on:

Thursday, November 3, 2011 at 11:30 am Liturgy

If you are interested in our special remembrance, please send us your name and address along with the names of the people whom you are sponsoring at $10.00 per Memorial Light. Please make checks payable to the Upper Room, See page 12 for our address.

Building Rental The Upper Room Spiritual Center is available for rentals for large and small groups, weekdays or weekends.

For fees, please call or e­mail Maria Rogers at (732) 922­0550 or maria@theupper­room.org

Entering the New Year with New Eyes!

As we enter the New Year, what can we reasonably expect from it? Probably pretty much what we found in this past year. Are we in a rut? Or is God speaking to us in the ordinary and inviting us to greater intimacy through the everydayness of our lives? We will celebrate the New Year through prayer, reflec­ tion and ritual.

Presenters: Trudy Ahern, SSJ and Maureen Christensen, RSM Upper Room Co­directors

Date: Thursday, January 5, 2012 Time: 7:00pm ­ 9:30 pm Fee: $25 ~ $35

Registration with a $10 deposit by Dec. 22nd

Change Your Outlook, Change Your Life!!!

The Healing Power of Abundant Thinking

Jesus proclaims, “I have come that you may have life and have it in abundance”(Jn10:10). God desires that we live a life full of love, peace, joy, hope. Yet our outlook and thinking can limit our receiving God’s abundant gifts.

Come and reflect on the meaning of “abundant thinking” and learn ways to experience life in greater fullness including: visu­ alization, meditation techniques, focused intention and mindful­ ness practices.

Presenter: Maureen Conroy, RSM Upper Room Co­director

Date: Wednesday, January 18, 2012 Time: 7:00pm ­ 9:30 pm Fee: $25 ~ $35

Registration with a $10 deposit by Jan. 11th

Reflecting on the Gift of Years Benedictine writer Joan Chittester tells us that the gift of our

older years is not merly being alive, it is the gift of becoming more fully alive than ever! Let’s reflect on this time of life with its gifts and many challenges using the wisdom of Sr. Joan and our own understandings as we too grow in wisdom, age, and grace. Come and discover or grow more appreciative of the “Gift of Years.”

Presenter: Maureen Christensen, RSM Upper Room Co­director

Date: Thursday, January 26, 2012 Time: 10:00 am ­ 2:00 pm Fee: $30 ~ $40 (liturgy and light lunch included)

Registration with a $10 deposit by Jan. 19th

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Sacred Eating The Art of Sacred Nourishment

This program will focus on “how we eat” versus what we eat. Through listening to the holy temple of the body one can identify “True Hunger” and how one’s body responds to dif­ ferent foods. We will explore how the manner in which we eat affects all areas of our life. A guided gentle eating experience will be included to support experiencing food and the body in a sacred way.

Presenter: Michelle P. Carlino B.A. in Special Education and Communications; Certified Yoga Instructor

Date: Thursday, February 16, 2012 Time: 6:30 pm ~ 9:30 pm Fee: $30 ~ $40

Registration with a $10 deposit by Feb. 9th

Ash Wednesday Retreat Day

What is the Invitation of this Season?

To accept our mortality in hope; to repent of our sinful ways; to reform everything anti­life and anti­Christ : these must be the chief goals of our Lenten efforts, which we begin well with ashes and Bread.

Presenter: Rev. Richard Rento Chaplain at Seabrook Village, Tinton Falls, NJ and Sunday broadcaster on WPAT.

Date: Wednesday, February 22, 2012 Time: 9:30 am ­ 2:30 pm Fee: $50 ~ $60 (liturgy and light lunch included)

Registration with a $20 deposit by Feb. 15th

Savoring Lent Rev. Terrance Moran, C.SS.R. Thursday, March 8, 2012

7:00 pm ­ 9:30 pm

It’s All In the Attitude Rev. Richard Rento

Wednesday, March 28, 2012 7:00 pm ­ 9:00 pm

(descriptions to follow in next Newsletter)

Lenten Series

Tending The Mystic Fire

How can looking at the direct experiences of the di­ vine of mystics of a variety of traditions help spiritual directors to explore their own God experiences and those of their directees’?

Presenter: Rev. Terrence Moran, C.SS.R. Spiritual Director, writer, retreat director, international speaker in over 25 countries. Co­director of the Quellen Spiritual Direction Formation Program, Mendam, NJ

Date: Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Spiritual Directors Gathering from 4:00 to 5:00pm

Three Experiences of Darkness

We will explore three experiences of darkness: spiri­ tual desolation, the dark night, and depression and discuss how we can help others who are struggling with any of these experiences. The following questions will be ad­ dressed through input, discussion, and role play:

• What is spiritual desolation and what are its causes? How does a person work with spiritual desolation?

• What are characteristics of the dark night of the soul and how is it different from spiritual desolation?

• What is depression? What are the symptoms and causes of depression? What are some treatments for depression?

• What is the relationship between desolation and de­ pression, desolation and the dark night?

• How can a spiritual director companion someone who is desolate, depressed, and/or in the dark night?

Presenter: Maureen Conroy, RSM, D.Min. Co­director of the Upper Room

Date: Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Participating In Divine Compassion

We will explore compassion as the very nature of the God who moves toward us in the tenderness and who com­ pels us to move outward in works of justice in our deep experience of God. Spiritual directors, thus, participate in God’s compassion in our role as directors and this experi­ ence deepens our capacity for empathic listening and re­ sponse in our spiritual sessions.

Presenter: Janet Ruffing, RSM, Ph.D. Professor of the Practice of Spirituality and Ministerial leadership at Yale Divinity School; well­known author

Date: Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Spiritual Direction as Spiritual Practice

Spiritual directors are privileged to listen to the deep yearnings and desires of their directees. This deep listen­ ing can evoke material from the directors’ unconscious and result in inner transformation. Through input, case studies, and discussion we will explore:

• The power of the spiritual direction process for the transformation of both director and directee

• The synchronicity of who God sends to us as directees

• The call to our own integrity and integration by being a spiritual director

• Discerning what material to bring to supervision or our own spiritual direction process

Presenter: Don Bisson, FMS, D.Min Educator of Spiritual Directors and International Speaker.

Date: Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Spiritual Directors Gathering from 4:00 to 5:00pm

Professional Days for Spiritual Directors

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Each Professional Day Time: 9:30 am ­ 4:00 pm Fee: $65 ~ $80 (includes lunch)

Registration with a $25 deposit due one week in advance

Note about Ronald Rolheiser and Spirituality Conference

Ron Rolheiser needed to postpone his presenting at the Spirituality Conference and will reschedule in the future. We are delighted that Melannie Svoboda, another wonderful

speaker and writer, will be the presenter this fall.

²Retreats²

Directed Prayer Weekends A directed prayer weekend is an opportunity for

individuals to spend time with God in a personal way. As well as enjoying an atmosphere of prayerful silence, each person meets with a spiritual director daily to share what happened in his or her prayer and dialogue with God. It is an occasion similar to the type that Jesus offered the disciples in the midst of their busy ministries and lives:

“Come away with me to an out­of­the­way place and rest awhile.” (Mark 6:31)

Fall ­ Winter October 21­23, 2011 March 9­11, 2012

Arrival: Friday, 7:00 pm Departure: Sunday, 3:00 pm Fee: $150 (two nights) Deposit: $75 (with reservation,

non­transferable, non­refundable)

Registration one week in advance

Six-Day Directed Retreat “Take, Lord, and Receive…”

Come for a special opportunity for solitude, prayer with Scripture, and daily spiritual direction. This retreat is offered in the spirit of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola.

Date: Friday, May 18 ­ Friday, May 25, 2012 Time: 7:00 pm Arrival ­ 10:30 am Departure Fee: $450 (seven nights)

Registration required with a $100 non­transferable and non­refundable deposit by May 4th

Directions to the Upper Room From North ­ Garden State Parkway South to Exit 100B (Rte. 33 East) At third traffic light turn left onto W. Bangs Avenue. Turn left (past the school) into Holy Innocents driveway. The Center is straight ahead in the back of the parking lot.

From South ­ Parkway North to Exit 100 (Rte. 33 East). Follow directions above.

From West ­ Rte. 195 to Parkway North to Exit 100. Follow directions above.

What is Spiritual Direction? Spiritual Direction is a ministry in which one person accompa­

nies another in the process of growing in intimacy with God. The focus of a spiritual direction relationship is the directee’s

experience of the Holy One in his or her life of prayer, and the way that communication happens between God and the directee. Life circumstances and struggles may be discussed in spiritual

direction sessions. Problem­solving, however, is NOT the focus of spiritual direction. Regular meetings with a spiritual director help one to pay atten­

tion and to become aware of God in self, others, events, all of life! For more information please e­mail or call Maria Rogers

(732) 922­0550 or maria@theupper­room.org

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Gift Certificates…

For workshops, courses, and retreats are available at the Upper Room. Give a friend a unique opportunity for growth. Certificates may be purchased for any program. They

may be for full of partial payment. (Call the Upper Room 732­922­0550)

In Remembrance

Remember your loved ones in a special way. Memorial bricks are available for placement in the Pieta Memo­ rial Garden and the Labyrinth Reflection Grove. A do­ nation of $100 per brick includes engraving. For more information e­mail or call Maria Rogers at the Upper Room 732­922­0550, maria@theupper­room.org

Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat Rachel’s Vineyard is a safe place to renew, rebuild and

redeem hearts broken by abortion. Weekend retreats offer you a supportive, confidential and non­judgmental environ­ ment where women and men can express, release and recon­ cile painful post­abortive emotions to begin the process of restoration, renewal and healing.

Date: Friday, September 9 ­Sunday, September 11, 2011 Time: 7:00 pm Arrival ­ 4:00 pm Departure Fee: $125

For registration and information please contact: Judy Warenkiewicz 732­536­6871 or e­mail: judywarren543@msn.com

Formation in Spiritual Direction Two­Year Certification Program

September 2012 – May 2014

A two­year program for those discerning a call to the ministry of Spiritual Direction, that is, those who accompany others on their spiritual journey.

Yearly Components

• At least twelve evening classes, September ­ May • Instructional content on key aspects of Spiritual Direction • Offering spiritual direction to at least three directees the first year and six directees the second year • Individual and Peer Supervision • Required Readings • Professional Days and Workshops • Directed Prayer Weekend • Discernment Day

Prerequisites

• A felt call to spiritual companionship with others • A willingness to discern this call with a spiritual director and with the Upper Room Program Staff • A participating member of a faith community • Receiving spiritual direction on a monthly basis for at least one year (required), two years (recommended) • At least 35 years old • Background in Theology, some experience of ministry, and evidence of personal maturity • A six­day/eight­day directed retreat or a 19 th Annotated Retreat

Application Process

• A Letter of Intent stating your reasons for applying and desires concerning the ministry of spiritual direction

• Letter of Intent due by March 16, 2012 • Application and recommendation forms will be sent • Interview with program staff • Fee of $25 submitted with application

Tuition • Approximately $2,400 per year

For more information please call or write to:

Trudy Ahern, SSJ, Upper Room Spiritual Center

3455 W. Bangs Ave , Building 2, Neptune, NJ, 07753 Phone # 732­922­0550 e­mail – office@theupper­room.org

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Calendar of Events September 2011 ­ March 2012

DECEMBER 5 Advent Taizé 6 6 Fully Alive in God Series:

“The Word Became Flesh” 2 14 Knitting and Prayer 4 15 Advent Day of Recollection 6 17 Women’s Gathering 4 20 Centering Prayer:

The Human Condition 4

JANUARY 5 Entering The New Year With

New Eyes! 7 10 Fully Alive in God Series

“Come and See!” 2 17 Centering Prayer: Deepening

your Relationship with God 4 18 Knitting and Prayer 4 18 Change Your Outlook,

Change Your Life!!! 7 21 Women’s Gathering 4 26 Reflecting on the Gift of Years 7

FEBRUARY 1 Participating in Divine Compassion 8 7 Fully Alive in God Series

“Come Follow Me” 2 15 Knitting and Prayer 4 16 Sacred Eating:

The Art of Sacred Nourishment 7 18 Women’s Gathering 4 21 Centering Prayer:

A Lifelong Journey 4 22 Ash Wednesday Retreat Day 7

MARCH 6 Fully Alive in God Series

“Unless a Grain of Wheat” 2 8 Savoring Lent 7

9 ~11 Directed Prayer Weekend 9 15 Journey of a Celtic Heart 12 17 Women’s Gathering 4

SEPTEMBER 9­11 Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat 9 12 Taizé Prayer 4 14 Spirituali­Tea 4 20 Centering Prayer:

The Ultimate Reality 4 21 Knitting and Prayer 4 29 Maintaining Sobriety One Day at

A Time 5 27 Fully Alive in God Series:

“What are You looking for?” 2

OCTOBER 1 Knitting as a Time of Waiting

A Retreat Day 5 4 Tending The Mystic Fire 8 13 Introduction of Spiritual Direction 5 15 Women’s Gathering 4 15 “Be Still and Know…!” 5 18 Centering Prayer: Prayer as

Relationship 4 18 Fully Alive in God Series:

“You are Precious in My Eyes.” 2 19 Knitting and Prayer 4 20 The Art of Caregiving 5

21~23 Directed Prayer Weekend 9

NOVEMBER 2 Saints: Here, There and Everywhere 5 3 Memorial Tree of Lights 6 8 Three Experiences of Darkness 8 8 Fully Alive in God Series:

“Have Mercy on Me, O Lord” 2 12 Spirituality Conference 3 15 Centering Prayer:

Practicing Centering Prayer 4 16 Knitting and Prayer 4 16 What Are God’s Dreams for You? 6 19 Women’s Gathering 4 30 Daughter of Darkness,

Mother of Light 6

Date Page

Registration Form

Name______________________________________ Address____________________________________ City_________________State______Zip__________ Phone No._________________________________ Day(s) Desired_____________________________ _________________________________________ Amount Enclosed $_________________

Registration Form

Name______________________________________ Address____________________________________ City________________State_______Zip__________ Phone No._________________________________ Day(s) Desired_____________________________ ________________________________________ Amount Enclosed $_________________

Date Page

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Mark Your Calendars! “Swing into Spring”

Golf 2012 Wednesday, May 9, 2012 Eagle Ridge Golf Course

For further information, contact Maria Rogers at 732­922­0550 or

maria@theupper­room.org

UPPER ROOM NEWS

Upper Room Spiritual Center 3455 W. Bangs Avenue Bldg. 2

Neptune, NJ 07753 Phone: (732) 922­0550 Fax: (732) 922­3904

www.theupper­room.org office@theupper­room.org

Co­Directors: Trudy Ahern SSJ

Maureen Christensen RSM Maureen Conroy RSM

Ria Rogers, Publisher Maureen Conroy RSM, Coordinator

Circulation: 4,000

Upper Room Spiritual Center

Pot of Gold Monthly Raffle 10 Monthly Drawings beginning March 17, 2012

$750.00 cash prize each month

Price: $50 (that’s only $5.00 a month!) Tickets available through the Upper Room

NON­PROFIT ORG. US POSTAGE

PAID PERMIT NO. 632 RED BANK, NJ

JOURNEY OF A CELTIC HEART

CARMEL BOYLE Thursday, March 15, 2012

9:30 am ~ 4:00 pm Friday night Concert and

Saturday Workshop

David Haas

April 20th and April 21st St. Justin’s Parish Toms River, NJ