A ministry of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace | |
Stories and Songs with our Kin Behind Bars
May 16th | 2:00pm - 3:30pm
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Jennifer Kelly, founder of RISE2hope and prison chaplain, will share stories and songs that bring hope, healing, and dignity to our kin behind bars. We will also hear from formerly incarcerated RISE2hope volunteers, and learn about the RISE2hope Joy Bringers music therapy program and the CONNECT trauma-healing class for prisoners in maximum-security units.
RISE2hope is a nonprofit ministry dedicated to restoring dignity and creating opportunities for those impacted by incarceration. Founded with the support of Jesuits West Province and a broad community of partners, this ministry is dedicated to healing justice and restoring relationships for those impacted by crime and incarceration. While most programs serve people inside prisons, RISE2hope also works in coalitions advocating for a restorative justice system and helps individuals find deeper meaning and alternatives to violence, addiction, gangs, and incarceration.
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The Four Connections: How to Flourish by Aligning Our Beliefs, Body, Brain, and Bonds
June 4th | 6:30pm - 8:30pm
June 6th | 9:30am - 3:30pm
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How can we feel the rapture of being alive, more connected to others, happier and healthier?
This evening session offers a welcoming introduction to the themes of our full-day program on Saturday June 06, drawing from neuroscience, psychology, and ancient spiritual wisdom. Together, we’ll explore simple yet meaningful ways to support our mental, physical, and spiritual well-being—and how these dimensions are deeply interconnected.
Through reflection and guided insights, you’ll be invited to consider small, practical shifts that can strengthen resilience, deepen connection, and bring a greater sense of balance into daily life.
You’re warmly invited to join us for both the Thursday evening session and our full-day program on Saturday. If Saturday isn’t possible, we hope you’ll still come and be part of the Thursday gathering.
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World Labyrinth Day — Walk As One for Peace (On Site or At Home)
May 2nd | 1:00pm
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Join us on Saturday, May 2, 2026 at 1:00 pm, for World Labyrinth Day, an annual international event uniting people across the globe in a moving meditation for peace. Every year on the first Saturday in May, thousands walk labyrinths as part of a global wave of peaceful energy.
At 1:00pm, we’ll “Walk as One at 1,” joining participants from every time zone to create a rolling wave of connection and hope for the planet. Whether you’re a long-time labyrinth walker or experiencing this for the first time, this is a beautiful opportunity to reflect, unite, and celebrate the labyrinth as a tool for peace and renewal.
You are warmly invited to join us in person at the Peace & Spirituality Center. If you are unable to be with us on site, you can still fully participate from wherever you are. Simply register to receive our Labyrinth Walk for Peace — At Home Guide, designed to help individuals, families, workplaces, and schools join the global wave at 1:00 pm in a meaningful and prayerful way.
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The Our Father: A Prayer for Justice and Action
May 12th | 9:00am - 11:00am
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This gathering will not be a lecture or teaching session. Instead, it will be a gentle prayer and meditation experience, inviting us to slow down and enter the words of the Our Father with renewed depth.
Together, we will explore the Our Father line by line, noticing how this familiar prayer speaks powerfully to our world today — calling us to live God’s will, share daily bread, forgive generously, and resist the forces of evil, injustice, and violence.
Gathered in the chapel, we will pray, listen, and reflect in community. Silence, scripture, and simple ritual will help open space for contemplation, openness, and a deeper awareness of God’s presence.
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Restorative Justice for Everyday Life: Repairing Harm in Our Homes, Workplaces, and Communities
May 27th | 10:00am - 12:00pm
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When we hear the term “Restorative Justice,” many people immediately think of prisons or the legal system. While restorative practices are used in those settings, they began long before courtrooms — and they belong just as much in our everyday relationships.
This introductory session explores how restorative principles can transform the way we respond to conflict in daily life: in families, friendships, ministry settings, workplaces, and communities.
This workshop is practical, interactive, and accessible. No prior knowledge or expertise is required. You do not need to work in the justice system to practice restoration. Repair begins wherever people are willing to listen, take responsibility, and rebuild trust.
As part of our Disarming Our Hearts: Becoming Peace series, this session is designed for anyone seeking healthier, more constructive ways to navigate conflict in daily life.
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Becoming Hope for the Future, A Disarming Our Hearts Workshop
April 18th
| In April, we were blessed to host another session in our Disarming Our Hearts: Becoming Peace series, this time hosted by Nancy Sylvester, IHM. Nancy encouraged us to envision a world of empathy and oneness, providing toolkits that promote understanding and trust even in the most difficult conversations. Attendees were encouraged to take a long loving look at the real, and to decide for themselves their role in the future. You may view the session's recording at the link below. | |
Peace Day for Women
April 15th
| This April, Sr. Carmel Little, CSJP, walked with us on the Road to Emmaus. We gathered on this journey, taking the time to encounter Jesus in one another and everyone we see. You may view the session recording at the link below. Please note that while the session is recorded, parts have been edited out, due to technical issues. | |
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At the Peace & Spirituality Center, we believe in the power of prayer and the strength that comes from lifting one another up before God. As a community, we know that prayer connects us across time and distance, reminding us that none of us are alone in our joys, hopes, or struggles.
Through Share Your Prayer, you can send us your intentions from wherever you are, and know that your prayer will be carried into our chapel and lifted before God. Whether written on a card at the Center or shared with us from afar, your prayers matter.
Together, we form a circle of faith and compassion, grounded in the belief that prayer has the power to bring comfort, peace, and hope.
| | | | New Offerings from the Peace & Spirituality Center | | An Invitation for First Responders & Healthcare Heroes | | Caring for Creation: The Cry of the Earth Miniseries | |
Peace & Spirituality Center Cards
Designed and Illustrated by Sr. Julie Codd, CSJP
| | | | Each pack includes four beautiful designs with three of them featuring original watercolor paintings by Sr. Julie Codd, CSJP. These cards include messages of peace and hope—perfect for sending a thoughtful note to a friend, or simply to remind someone of the spirit of the Peace & Spirituality Center. | | | | And that's not all! We are elated to announce that more cards featuring the fantastic watercolor paintings of Sr. Julie Codd, CSJP, are now available! The beautiful illustrations, featuring nature and lovely scenes are perfect for any occasion. You may reserve your pack at the link below, or learn more about the work of Sr. Julie Codd at the link labeled "The Art of Peace." | |
Self Guided Retreats
A new resource from the Peace & Spirituality Center
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Taking time for a retreat can be a deeply enriching experience, but for many of us, the question, "What do I actually do?" can feel overwhelming. St. Mary on the Lake and the Peace and Spirituality Center offer breathtaking grounds and spaces designed to nurture peace and reflection—but it’s natural to feel unsure about where to start once you arrive.
That’s why we’re delighted to offer a collection of self-guided retreats. These itineraries are designed to inspire and support you, providing a framework for your time here. Whether you’re drawn to the beauty of nature, the richness of poetry, the wisdom of history, or the grounding practices of faith, we have thoughtfully curated retreats to help you center yourself and find peace.
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A gift certificate to the Peace & Spirituality Center provides a unique opportunity for someone you care about to experience peace, reflection, and renewal in a serene and sacred environment.
Share the gift of serenity and invite your loved ones to embrace the tranquility of our sacred spaces. From quiet moments of reflection to transformative retreats, this is more than just a gift—it’s an invitation to heal, grow, and be uplifted.
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"The time has come to revise
Line by line by line
The rough draft of my field
Till down the green grass lies
Obedient to design;
And the lovely scruffy tufts
Of flowers, they, too, must yield."
-May 15, Charles W. Pratt
April showers have wrought beautiful May flowers! Blooms are springing up through the pavement, pouring out of trees, and littering our paths. The gardeners among us have begun having to weed their garden plots. As our Spring has begun blossoming, May is the prime time to root through the gardens of our lives and create a bit of order in the chaos. This month, we are happy to announce several programs, each offering new perspectives with which you can revise your field!
This Saturday we are kicking off May with World Labyrinth Day! Join us on campus, or virtually through our online Labyrinth resources as we Walk as One at 1pm. Whether you’re a long-time labyrinth walker or experiencing this for the first time, this is a beautiful opportunity to reflect, unite, and celebrate the labyrinth as a tool for peace and renewal.
Peace Circles meets this month on May 7th! Please be sure to weigh in on our survey, to help us make Peace Circles a better fit for you! Our Peace Circles program offers a monthly space to slow down, breathe, and reconnect—with ourselves, with others, and with what truly matters. Space is limited to 15 persons to maintain the intimate setting of the healing circle, so be sure to sign up soon!
Seeking solace in silent contemplation? Both seasoned sitters and newcomers alike are welcome to join us for any of our Thursday Contemplative Prayer sittings this month, and for our Saturday sitting on May 9th.
On May 12th we invite you to join us in prayer and meditation at The Our Father: A Prayer for Justice and Action. Following the celebration of the National Day of Prayer on May 7, this service continues the spirit of collective prayer by inviting us to pray not only with our lips but also with our lives. The purpose of this service is to root us in the heart of Jesus’ prayer while recognizing its radical call: to work for peace through justice, to care for creation, and to allow compassion to shape our daily choices.
Join us on May 16th as we welcome RISE2hope for Stories and Songs with our Kin Behind Bars. Jennifer Kelly, founder of RISE2hope and prison chaplain, along with a variety of RISE2hope members, including formerly incarcerated volunteers, will share stories and songs that bring hope, healing, and dignity to our kin behind bars. You will learn about RISE2hope's diverse programs including the Joy Bringers music therapy program as well as the Connect trauma-healing class for prisoners in maximum-security units.
This month's Men's Reflection Group will be hosted at St. Madeleine Sophie Parish, and while the date is pending, we hope you'll join for a morning of brotherhood and contemplation.
Looking for sisterhood? Stay tuned for next month's Peace Day for Women on June 17th, where Esther Lucero Milner, CSJP-A will be leading a special session on Living with a Forgiving Heart. There will not be a Peace Day for Women in May.
On May 27th, Restorative Justice for Everyday Life: Repairing Harm in Our Homes, Workplaces, and Communities offers an introduction to restorative principles, and their applications in everyday life. This workshop is practical, interactive, and accessible. No prior knowledge or expertise is required. You do not need to work in the justice system to practice restoration. Repair begins wherever people are willing to listen, take responsibility, and rebuild trust.
Lumina meets again this month on May 27th. Open to women of all faith backgrounds as well as those who identify as spiritual but not religious, Lumina offers a welcoming space for honest conversation and growth and is facilitated by Stephanie Peirolo, CSJP-A, a writer, coach, and retreat leader whose work blends Ignatian discernment with real-world wisdom to help others find clarity and peace in life’s big decisions.
Is something weighing on your heart? For those who may not be able to visit us in person, but who still wish to feel the support of a praying community, we invite you to Share Your Prayer. Through Share Your Prayer, you can send us your intentions from wherever you are, and know that your prayer will be carried into our chapel and lifted before God.
Our weekly miniseries, Caring for Creation: The Cry of the Earth Miniseries continues in May with each week bringing a new concern to light. This yearlong miniseries, co-sponsored by the Archdiocese of Seattle Care for Creation Ministry, aims to open the conversation about Care for Creation to everyone, whether you feel passionately about the issue, you are unfamiliar, or not sure where you stand. Rooted in the CSJP Land Ethic and inspired by Laudato Si’, each video will offer a blend of spiritual reflection, real-world insight, and a gentle invitation to action. Together, we’ll explore the spiritual, social, and practical dimensions of caring for our common home—one video at a time.
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Looking to give the gift of peace to a loved one? We are happy to announce that the Peace & Spirituality Center now offers gift certificates! Gift Certificates can be redeemed for any Peace & Spirituality Center experience and may be sent electronically or picked up in person.
More information about our gift certificates, upcoming programs, and last month's offerings are listed below. To stay tuned for any announcements or updates, be sure to follow us on Instagram and Facebook.
@peaceandspiritualitycenter
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| | Visit the Peace Labyrinth | |
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Lumina
with Stephanie Peirolo, CSJP-A
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Open to women of all faith backgrounds as well as those who identify as spiritual but not religious, Lumina offers a welcoming space for honest conversation and growth. Guided by conversation and shared experience rather than structure, it offers a relaxed space to pause, listen, and rediscover balance and purpose together.
Lumina is facilitated by Stephanie Peirolo, CSJP-A, a writer, coach, and retreat leader whose work blends Ignatian discernment with real-world wisdom to help others find clarity and peace in life’s big decisions. Sessions will occasionally feature guest leaders offering fresh perspectives and shared wisdom.
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With Beth Light, MSN and Linda Covert, RN
A space to nurture inner peace, connection, and healing
Part of our Disarming Our Hearts, Becoming Peace series, Peace Circles offer a monthly space to slow down, breathe, and reconnect—with ourselves, with others, and with what truly matters.
Held monthly on the first Thursday of the month, these in-person gatherings invite participants into a circle of compassion, presence, and deep listening. There is no pressure to fix, solve, or perform—just the gentle invitation to be present and let peace do its quiet work.
Please note: Due to the nature of the session, participation is limited to 15 people per circle to preserve the intimacy and depth of the experience.
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May Sittings
7, 9, 14, 21, 28
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Led by Sr. Kathleen Pruitt, CSJP
This meditation program meets on Thursdays from 7:00pm - 8:15pm, and one Saturday Sitting from 9:00am-11:30am.
Sign up here to receive a weekly email with meeting info, Zoom links, & a reflection from Sister Kathleen.
Joining us for your first sitting? Learn more about our Contemplative Prayer program at this here.
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Peace Day for Women
Rescheduled to JUNE
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Living With a Forgiving Heart
With Ester Lucero Milner, CSJP-A
Peace Day for Women is a half-day retreat program designed for women who seek to deepen their spiritual lives in the company of others. Each retreat offers a blend of teaching, silent reflection, and group sharing, providing a nurturing space for spiritual growth and connection.
Our regular season runs from September through May. However, for this cycle, our May session has been rescheduled to June to welcome CSJP Associate Esther Lucero Milner, CSJP-A who will be leading a special session on Living with a Forgiving Heart.
As always, spiritual direction will be available for those seeking deeper personal reflection, with 25-minute sessions offered by our beloved friend Lisa Dennison from SEEL.
Please note that next month's Peace Day for Women has been rescheduled to June.
Please note: While Peace Day for Women sessions are livestreamed, they are not held via Zoom.
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June 17th
9:30am - 2:00pm
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DATE TBA
St. Madeleine Sophie Parish
9:30am - 12:00pm
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Discover Connection, Wisdom, and Spiritual Growth
Are you looking for a space to reflect, connect, and grow in your life journey?
The Men’s Reflection Group is a welcoming community where men of all ages are welcome to share experiences, wisdom, and support. The group meets on the third Saturday of each month, providing a relaxed yet meaningful environment to explore spiritual and life topics.
Join us! No prior experience is needed—just an open heart and a willingness to share. Come as you are and discover a community that supports and inspires.
Please note that dates are subject to change, so we kindly encourage you to stay informed by checking for updates.
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Self-Guided Retreats
Taking time for a retreat can be a deeply enriching experience, but for many of us, the question, "What do I actually do?" can feel overwhelming. That’s why we’re delighted to offer a collection of self-guided retreats. These itineraries are designed to inspire and support you, providing a framework for your time here. Whether you’re drawn to the beauty of nature, the richness of poetry, the wisdom of history, or the grounding practices of faith, we have thoughtfully curated retreats to help you center yourself and find peace.
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Digital Resource Library
Click below to access our digital resource library! Located under the "Resources" tab on our website are guided reflections, event recordings, and booklets from previous programs. We invite you to explore these materials and use them in your own spiritual journey.
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Gifts from Our Sisters
This month we are featuring the gifts of Sr. Carmel Little, CSJP. Sr. Carmel Little, CSJP, brings a deep and abiding sense of spirituality to every aspect of her life and ministry. With a gift for crafting prayers that inspire, comfort, and guide, Sr. Carmel has a unique ability to articulate the sacred and draw others closer to God through her words. One of Sr. Carmel’s most cherished contributions is preparing the Weekly Peace Prayer, a tradition deeply rooted in the life of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace.
As a ministry of the Congregation of Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace we are honored to share their unique and creative gifts with the wider community. From inspiring works of art to music, puzzles, and more, this space is a testament to the rich talents and passions that flow from their lives of prayer, service, and peace-making. Click the link below to browse the creative offerings of our resident sisters! We invite you to explore, enjoy, and -hopefully- be inspired!
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Sr. Angela's Word Searches
Our very own Sr. Angela McCarthy, CSJP is an avid puzzler! This month brings us new puzzles! All of her puzzles can be accessed below or you can click below to sign up for her monthly puzzle digest!
Interested in featuring Sr. Angela's puzzles in your community? Don't hesitate to reach out to our team!
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Stay Connected: Newletters & Reflections Archive
Welcome to a collection of our past newsletters and reflections from the Peace & Spirituality Center!
Feel free to browse, revisit, and share!
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Group Retreats
Need a space to host a retreat? We have rooms that can be reserved for groups of up to 100 between 8am and 8pm Monday - Saturday.
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Day Retreats
Day visits are available for individuals, who may spend soothing time in a private room and on the beautiful grounds.
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Overnight Retreats
Those seeking rest and renewal are invited for one or several nights of retreat as guests in the Sisters' home.
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Peace & Spirituality Center
1663 Killarney Way, PO Box 248, Bellevue WA 98009-0248
Telephone: 425.635.3600
peace@csjp-olp.org
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