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Franciscan Center Directions
A Newsletter of the Franciscan Center Spring 2005 Volume 3, Issue 1 Join in Celebration of Center’s 35th Anniversary This fall the Franciscan Center will celebrate the 35th anniversary of our founding in 1970 as a place of welcome for all who seek to deepen their spiritual lives through prayer and reflection. We have much to celebrate! This year has seen the fulfillment of a 35-year dream in the installation of an elevator here at the retreat house. Our labyrinth for walking meditations under the oaks on the property is complete, and we have broken ground for an open-air pavilion on the river. A landscape architect has drawn plans for much-needed new landscaping around the Center entrance and throughout the property, which will be planted this summer. An exciting calendar of special events is planned in celebration of this milestone in the Center’s history. Two dedicated Center supporters, Gail Whiting and Carol Byrnes, have generously agreed to serve as co-chairs for the year’s events. We are grateful for their leadership and willingness. (Please mark your calendars for the dates below.) Further details to follow by mail in the Center calendar, flyers and invitations. 35th Anniversary Celebration October, 2005 through October, 2006 OPENING CEREMONIES Sunday, October 9, 2005 - Liturgy and picnic LABYRINTH RETREAT Thursday, October 6, 2005 - With Rev. Dr. Lauren Artress Day Session: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Evening Session: 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. NEIGHBORHOOD OPEN HOUSE Sunday, March 12, 2006 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. SONGS AND STORIES BENEFIT EVENING Saturday, April 23, 2006 with author Pat Livingston accompanied by Beth Klepfer on piano and the voices of the Franciscan Center Chorus at the St. Joseph’s Hospital Medical Arts Building CLOSING CEREMONIES Sunday, October 1, 2006 Liturgy and Refreshments 4:00 - 9:00 p.m. Center Publishes Prayer Book Order a copy Among the activities planned in celebration of the Center’s 35th Anniversary is the publication of the inaugural edition of Tampa Bay Prays. This unique prayer book includes prayers of all faith traditions from individuals, religious, civic, business and political leaders, students and faculty from kindergarten to college. The book is small enough to fit easily into a purse, pocket, briefcase or backpack, and contains prayers for various occasions and intentions. Tampa Bay Prays is available for sale at the Franciscan Center Gift Nook and select locations to be announced. Thanks to the generous commitment of an anonymous underwriter, all proceeds will be used to further the mission of the Franciscan Center. Elevator Gives Center Guests a Lift For all the retreatants who have ever schlepped their luggage to the second floor bedrooms at the Center, an important announcement: the Center’s elevator is now up and running! In addition to convenience for all, the elevator also greatly increases the number of rooms accessible to disabled retreat-ants. This 35-year dream has been realized with the assistance of Charles Secord of St. Joseph’s Baptist Hospital and the skilled workers of J.O.DeLotto & Sons. Thanks to the very generous donors (including an anonymous gift of $85,000) Rita and Francis Evans, Sheryl Evans, the estate of Philip Mahoney, Frank Kern, Ron Phillips, and Howard Watts. Walk the Center's Labyrinth During your next visit to the Center, make time to walk the new labyrinth beneath the oaks. Kudos to Clarence Kennedy, the Center’s maintenance supervisor, who used his considerable math skills and artistic ability to create a labyrinth in the 13th century style found in Chartres Cathedral, France. Many thanks to Ouida and Ralph Hawkins for their generous underwriting of expenses relating to the installation of the labyrinth. Through the gracious sponsorship of Gail and Paul Whiting, the Center presents day and evening retreats with the leading authority on the history and spirituality of labyrinths, Rev. Dr. Lauren Artress, on Thursday, October 6, 2005. Dr. Artress is President and Founder of Veriditas, the Voice of the Labyrinth Movement, and Pastor of Grace Episcopal Cathedral in San Francisco. Call the Center office to register. Best Wishes to Two of Our Own After many years on the staff of the Franciscan Center, Sister Regina Catherine Kane, O.S.F., moved last fall to Allegany, New York, to the Motherhouse of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany due to health concerns. Sister Regina was incredibly active as a spiritual director and presenter, revered by her directees and retreatants. Her wisdom, scholarship and Franciscan spirit inspired all who attended her series of “Convers-ations with Sister Regina” and Women’s Wisdom retreats. It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Sister Regina’s beloved twin brother, Joseph Kane, of Floral Park, New York, who died May 9, 2005. Sister Naureen Marie Kelly, O.S.F., has been a welcoming volunteer and gifted presenter at the Center for more than a decade. Due to limitations following a series of strokes, Sister Naureen, too, has moved to the Motherhouse in Allegany. Sister’s guided meditations on Saturday afternoons of Conscious Contact weekends would fill the conference room floor with relaxed (and recumbent) retreatants. Her spirited and loving presence is missed by all. Correspondence for both Sisters Regina and Naureen may be mailed to: St. Elizabeth Motherhouse, 115 East Main Street, Allegany, New York 14706-1396. What They're Saying About the Center I came for a private retreat and loved your Center. It’s the only time I’ve been to Florida where I was content to stay in one place, and not “at the beach.” I highly recommend it. - In a January, 2005 letter Thank you for bringing joy to me tonight. Excellent! Facilitators are so talented and prepared: a safe environment, easy to feel "spiritual." Emotions In Our Spiritual Journey: Let’s Make a Joyful Noise Together January 5, 2005 God is so present and has filled me with life but again! Conscious Contact Weekend Retreat January 7-9, 2005 My expectations were far exceeded. The spirit led throughout. I found peace in God’s love just as I am. Let Yourself Be Loved Women’s Weekend January 21-23, 2005 I received the willingness to let go of the hurt. Forgiveness Retreat February 15, 2005 What a privilege to have you share your lives and gifts with me and so many other needy souls. Transforming Violence Against Women February 23, 2005 I always come away renewed with knowledge and fellowship. Wild and Wonderful Women of the Bible March 16, 2005 |