Richard Rohr In February – mark your calendars – Illinois M.A.L.Es is sponsoring Richard Rohr here for two programs Feb. 12 – 13 – 14, 2013. Breathing Under Water, Feb 12 – 13 and Divine Intimacy, Feb. 14. More information will be forthcoming.
October 6, 2012: Spirituality- Sexuality Series, we discussed the teachings, ritual and sharing focused on how society, culture, religion and family impose taboos that separate spirituality from sexuality.
September 16, 2012: A Regathering of Initiated Men, celebrated the men just coming off their August MROP at the Carmelite Spiritual Center (St. Pauls) in Darien, IL – Gary Meagher led a program of reflection and then we had a cookout. It was good to reconnect with our brothers.
The August 15-19, 2012 Men’s Rites Of Passage (MROP) was an awesome experience of transformation – our 30 brothers came with seriousness of purpose to dive into the journey –it was contagious. Thanks to all of you for your support in encouraging men and prayers and fasting during the experience.
Male Archtype Weekend – April 20 – 22, 2012
Fr. Jim Clarke facilitated the latest weekend retreat for men on Male Archetypes for Everyday Life at the Carmelite Spiritual Center. We learned that an Archetype is a way of reading reality through symbolic language accessing the power of one’s soul. Jim covered the four primary Archetypes of the Warrior, Lover, Magician and King, while weaving rituals, his insights and personal experiences into the teachings. The weekend included small discussion groups in which we shared our own experiences to reinforce the teachings along with time for personal reflection in nature. The retreat concluded with a moving communion service on Sunday morning.
March 10, 2012, 8:30 to Noon at the CSC
Re-connecting Spirituality and Sexuality Series – “Finding the Sacred Wound and the Blessing in Our Stories” – Men deeply desire to be integrated and whole. We long to be truly and freely ourselves in each moment. We long to fully live our physical and spiritual nature in every aspect of lives, relationships, in our hearts and in our souls. Yet a great divide exists within many of us between our spiritual and sexual natures. In our second gathering we create a ritual space to uncover and share our own stories. Within our stories is much of what we need to find our way to wholeness. In retracing our paths we may find the way back to ourselves. “Finding the Sacred Wound and the Blessing in Our Stories” is the second in a series of gatherings exploring how men experience themselves as both spiritual and sexual beings.
February 4, 2012
Donkeys, Mules and Asses: Burdens Men Carry – 8:30 to Noon at the Carmelite Center (CSC) in Darien, IL. The program involves prayer, reflection, teaching, silence, ritual and group sharing. Coffee and rolls to start register by e-mail: robco@robco.org or calling 630-852-7179 – the program went well – 34 men participated – and as one said: “I got a great deal out of the moving event and know that others did as well – certainly touched some issues in me.”
