Mixed Retreat at St. Charles November 26th

Retreat at St. Charles Parish on November 26th, 2011

Sponsored by the St. Charles Ladies’ Association

"A spiritual retreat is where the seekers are seeking God. It is where God is seeking the seekers. It is a meeting place".

Changes are occurring in our lives at an ever-rapid pace. Our roles as parents, partners, caretakers, and employees all compete for our time and energy. The need to slow down, reconnect with ourselves and reflect on what is important to us, is a form of self-care that has become crucial to our well being. Retreats are an excellent way to accomplish this.

A Mixed Retreat means both women and men (not necessarily couples) are invited to attend. The doors open at 8:00 am. The retreat begins at 9:00 am and ends at 3:30 pm. Mass is celebrated at St. Charles Church at 4:00 pm. Lunch and snacks will be provided. If you have dietary concerns please contact Maureen at 895-0331 before Sunday, November 20th.

Facilitator for the retreat is Father John Kracher. His topic will be Advent: A Peaceful Time, A Time of Waiting. The $20 per person fee must be pre-paid. To register call Maureen at 895-0331.

Mental Health Issues

Here are some public education sessions on Mental Health Issues which are sponsored by the Spiritual Health Committee of the Manitoba Multifaith Council.

“Spiritual Perspectives on Complexity of Bipolar Disorder”

October 26^th

Program Coordinator: Rev. Lynn Granke – Manager of Spiritual Health Services at Victoria General Hospital,

plus Sarah Clarke – Physician’s Assistant in Mental Health

“Spiritual Perspective on Mental Health Issues in Corrections”

November 2^nd

Program Coordinator: Greg Dunwoody – Chaplain at Headingley Correctional Center,

plus Michael Pierre – Aboriginal Spiritual Care Provider,

Khaled Al-Nahor – Muslim Chaplain, and Faye – reflecting on family experience.

Each panel will provide clinical information, sharing of personal experience and spiritual reflection.

ALL SESSIONS WILL BE HELD AT:

St. Peter’s Anglican Church, (corner of Grant & Elm St.)

from 7:30pm to 9:00pm

~Wheelchair Accessible and Hearing Assist available~

(Suggested donation is $5 per session)

St. Charles Parish Feeds the Poor

"When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in return, and repayment come to you. But when you give a reception, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, since they do not have the means to repay you; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous." Luke 14:12-14

On Sunday, October 16 th, St. Charles parishioners provided the meal for “the poor, the crippled, and the lame...” Volunteers prepared 8 very large vats of turkey soup, and transported them along with 288 dinner buns, 3 cases of bananas, 25 boxes of cookies and 56 liters of milk to the Immaculate Conception Drop In Centre at 181 Austin Street, in the heart of Winnipeg’s North End. It provided a hearty meal to 210 people and the remaining food was put in containers for people to take home.

St. Charles Parish was involved with the Drop In Centre for a number of years in the ‘80s. It was resumed and has continued for the last 15years. Originally parishioners provided chili once a year but later it was decided that they would like to provide a second meal. As a result, a hearty turkey soup is prepared in the kitchen at St. Charles church hall in October.

The Sunday Drop In at Immaculate Conception Church was begin by the Sisters of the Holy Names in the late 70's because there was no social services available for street people on Sundays. It is open every Sunday from September to mid June from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM and serves lunch to between 200 and 300 people.

The folks served at the Drop In are primarily male and aboriginal. Some are working but most find that they are unable to feed themselves consistently week to week. More than 30 different organizations provide the healthy lunches. These organizations include parishes, student groups and charitable organizations. The meal providers are asked to include protein, fruit and milk in their menu.

I asked Ruth, the Immaculate Conception Drop In-Coordinator to tell me about the volunteers. She said, “Each volunteer is a gift. Each one, unique. We have youth volunteers who come through school community service programs and stay long after their programs are completed. We have volunteers who come with their parishes and continue to volunteer regularly. We have volunteers who come from the Point Douglas neighborhood who are empowered by the opportunity to serve their community.”

When I asked Ruth what else she needed for the Drop In besides food she replied, “Personal care items such as small shampoos, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and feminine products are very helpful.”

Ruth is starting her 7 th year at the Drop In. I asked her what motivates her to continue in this ministry. She replied, “Our faith teaches us that we are to love one another. I experience this love most profoundly at the Drop In. Sharing this with so many others transforms my day to day experience. Each one of us moves beyond fears, beyond stereotypes, and little by little, week to week, hearts and minds are transformed.”

St. Charles Western Night Dinner & Dance

An evening of fun and camaraderie is planned for St. Charles Parish Western Night Dinner and Dance on Saturday, November 5th, 2011. Cocktails will be at 5:30 PM followed by dinner at 6:30 PM. The evening includes dancing, a silent auction and a 50/50 draw. The event is co-sponsored by the Father Allan Hall Council # 8604 Knights of Columbus & The St. Charles Ladies Association. Gluten free and lactose free dinners can be arranged by calling Rita @ 864-2137 before October 29. Dinner $20 per person. All profit from the evening goes to St. Charles Parish.

Faith Sharing Programs for October and November

St. Charles Faith Sharing Group continues to meet at the St. Charles Retreat Centre on Wednesday morning at 9:30 AM. Here are programs planned for October and November. For further information call Fran at 889-7348.

Oct. 19th/2011 “Heaven’s Key to Peace”

Filmed on location in eight countries, Heaven’s Key to Peace builds an overwhelming case that the message of Fatima is not just our only chance for peace, but our last chance. At Fatima the Blessed Virgin Mary warned the “various nations will be annihilated” if the Church did not honor Her requests in time - including the Consecration of Russia to Her Immaculate Heart. This film states that the Message of Fatima is the only key to peace in the world.

Oct. 26/2011 “Called Through The Mystery”

Called to the Mystery through the “Theology of the Body” is the topic of Fr. Thomas J. Loya. He is currently the pastor of Annunciation of the Mother of God Byzantine Catholic Church in Chicago. Fr. Loya is an artist and holds a Masters in Counseling and Human Services. Fr. Loya preaches on the Theology of the Body using iconography and art as his teaching aid.

Nov. 2/2011 “Flight From Pain”

In our culture, everything invites us to flee our suffering. But, it’s important to face our suffering in truth and to let Jesus transfigure it. Jesus came so we could pass from life to death. Our suffering can become, by His grace, a place for our salvation and joy. Jean Vanier, founder of the international movement of L’Arche, presented this topic at a retreat in Antigonish, N.S. in 1985.

Nov. 9/2011 “The Prayer of Jabez”

This DVD has four parts and will be viewed at several different sessions. In session one we’ll discover what it means to come to God to ask for the blessings He already longs to give us. Session two helps us to get ready to take on more, accomplish more, and enjoy more in the service of God. Session three tells how God wants to empower us for awesome ministry. Session four helps us discover how to pray and stand firm in the face of temptation. Presentation by Bruce Wilkinson, author of the book of the same name.