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News & Updates | September 2025

 

REFLECTION

Dear Friends,

It is decades ago. I am standing in the hallway of my first Jesuit retreat house ever. An eye level bulletin board is before me with fliers about The Spiritual Exercises, the 30-Day Retreat. I am fascinated. I want this experience (but for all the wrong reasons). Yet God uses this time and place to plant a seed.


Fast forward three or four decades. God and I have been walking together a while. This time God is calling and I have just journeyed through The Retreat in Everyday Life, the Spiritual Exercises spread out over the past 9 months. The Holy Spirit has moved, touching and changing my life. I recall saying that my faith at the beginning of this retreat was like a beautiful picture, but I now experienced it as a deep, rich tapestry. Special to me was Jesus desiring an individual, personal relationship with me. Traveling with others, I was gifted with new ways of praying, of sharing, of connecting with Scripture, and I now hear a call to serve in bringing about God’s Kingdom. 


It is now four years later. As in any loving relationship, my walk with Jesus has drawn me into deeper commitment and growth in our friendship. God invites. Sometimes I say “yes,” sometimes I resist, but there is movement. I find it amazing that the Lord of the Universe walks One on One with me. I know I am loved. Loved just as I am.


To me, The Retreat in Everyday Life is the gift that keeps on giving. I would wish everyone the grace of a deepening walk with God. I believe God yearns for growth and wholeness for each of us in our own intimate journey with God’s Self. Why? Because we are loved so very deeply. And so that we may become that Love ourselves.


I am filled with gratitude for my personal journey from Seed to ongoing Experience. 


Where is God inviting YOU today?

Cheryl Smith

2020-2021 Retreat in Everyday Life Retreatant

 

MUSIC MEDITATION

 

Jeremiah 29 - I Know the Plans I Have for You

by Xander Stok, Project of Love

For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord.


Plans for good and not for disaster,

to give you a future and a hope.


Plans for good and not to harm you.


For I know the thoughts that I think toward you,

thoughts of peace and not of evil,

to give you a future and a hope.


When you pray, I will listen.


If you look for me with all your heart,

you will find me.


I will be found by you.

Listen now.

 

Retreat in Everyday Life

Final Hours of Registration

 

If you haven’t completed the retreat, consider yourself most cordially invited!

Apply now by clicking here.


The group meets once each month virtually, and individuals also meet monthly with a spiritual director either in person or online.


Visit Spiritual Exercises Retreat in Everyday Life for more information and to apply.

 

WHAT'S NEXT???

 

With a mission to keep you connected with the Spirit and each other, Ignatian Maine works to be a clearing house for opportunities to be together.


Join us as you can and please invite those who need to share the joy with us.

See below for our current list of happenings.

 

EVENTS

 

Book Groups Forming

Gathering with like minds to read and discuss books is an easy, enriching way to build community. The same goes for spirituality!


A number of faith-based groups are starting this fall:

The Inner Chapel: Embracing the Promises of God


Sr. Ann Boyle, rsr, will offer to facilitate a group exploring The Inner Chapel: Embracing the Promises of God by Becky Eldredge. For more information, click here.

 

Another book group offered at Our Lady of Hope Parish Hall this fall, which is starting next week and has limited spaces remaining:

Seeing with the Heart


Six weekly sessions will be held for Seeing with the Heart, by Fr. Kevin O'Brien, SJ. This group will meet EVERY Tuesday evening from 6:30-7:30 in the Parish Hall with Fr. Paul, beginning on September 23 and concluding on October 28. Fr. O’Brien will visit the parish on November 8 (see below).


Please register through the parish office ourladyofhope@portlanddiocese.org with your email address, so that we can send the reflection guide(s) to you ahead of time.

A SPECIAL EVENT WITH FR. KEVIN O'BRIEN, SJ

Seeing with the Heart: A Guide to Navigating Life's Adventures

Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Our Lady of Hope Parish Hall, 492 Ocean Ave., Portland

*Spiritual directors are also invited to a special afternoon session at 1:00 PM

 

Respected Jesuit educator and Vice Provost and Executive Director of the Bellarmine campus at Fairfield University, Fr. Kevin O’Brien, SJ, invites you to recognize the opportunities to uncover your meaning and purpose as you navigate the turbulent river of life. O’Brien reveals how we can realize our potential by embracing our struggles with courage, our questions with curiosity, and our destiny with boldness as we tap into our deepest desires and live lives of authenticity.


Email ignatianme@gmail.com for more information and to register. 


Download a flyer for the event and spread the word!

 

VOLUNTEERS WELCOMED!

 

The Ignatian Spirituality Partnership of Ignatian Maine is run by a small group of volunteers, the "Steering Committee."


The group meets monthly for one hour and is responsible for organizing the Retreat in Everyday Life and planning special events throughout the year. Included among our responsibilities:


  • Writing this newsletter,
  • Maintaining the website,
  • Developing, planning, promoting and implementing coming events of interest to our community.


Volunteers help when and where they are able. Send your name, email address, phone, and thoughts to us at ignatianme@gmail.com or use the Contact Us page on our website.


Thank you for considering us!

 

RESOURCES

 

Eastern Point Retreat House

Step away from the distractions of daily life and encounter Jesus Christ.

2025 Retreats

2026 Retreats

 
 

Ignatian.info

All things Ignatian


The Spiritual Exercises refers to both a book and a retreat experience. The book was written by St. Ignatius Loyola based on his own spiritual journey and is a collection of prayers, meditations, and notes meant to guide those making the retreat.


Click here to learn more.

 
 

IgnatianSpirituality.com

Good source of prayer material, reflections, etc.


The Examen is an ancient practice in the Church that can help us see God’s hand at work in our whole experience.


Click here to learn more.

 
 

Jesuits.org/news

From the US Jesuit Conference


How to Live at the Intersection of Creativity and Spirituality – AMDG: A Jesuit Podcast


There are so many people out there who are creative—who want to make art and write poems and sing new songs—and who also draw their creativity from their faith lives, their own spiritual journeys. 


Click here to listen.

 

If you know someone who might be interested in any of our offerings, please share!

This message was sent by the Jesuits East Office of Ignatian Spirituality (OIS) on behalf of the Ignatian Spirituality Partnership of Maine. OIS is pleased to provide communications support to Ignatian Maine.