In this issue:

• OLPR Podcast
• CHM Jubilees
• Day of Prayer
• Interfaith celebration
• CHMs gather for annual assembly
• Latest issue of The Flame
• Latest issue of Down to Humus newsletter
• CHM in pictures
• Upcoming retreats at OLPR

Our Lady of the Prairie Retreat launches new podcast

Our Lady of the Prairie Retreat (OLPR), in collaboration with St. Ambrose University, The Catholic Messenger, and the Congregation of the Humility of Mary, is excited to announce the launch of a thought-provoking new podcast series: Conversations in Faith, Exploring the Questions You’re Afraid to Ask.

The first episode will be released on September 5, 2025, with new episodes following on the first Friday of every month. Each episode will feature two representatives of different faith traditions engaging in respectful, open conversation about questions submitted by listeners—especially those that may feel too sensitive, awkward, or controversial to ask out loud.

This unique interfaith initiative aims to offer honest and accessible perspectives. The conversations are not theological debates or institutional explanations. Instead, they are guided by personal experiences and viewpoints shared by real people speaking from their faiths, not for them.

“Our goal is to create a safe and curious space for spiritual growth, and to honor the power of questions,” said Lori Freudenberg, Program Coordinator at Our Lady of the Prairie Retreat. “We believe understanding begins when we give ourselves permission to wonder out loud—and when we listen to others do the same.”

Questions can be submitted by emailing: conversationquestions@chmiowa.org. Inquiries may be directed to a specific tradition or offered generally for any faith participants to explore.

Moderated by The Catholic Messenger Editor Barb Arland-Fye, the first three scheduled episodes will include:

September 5: Islam & Jewish

October 3: Methodist & The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

November 7: Buddhist & Metropolitan Community Church

Speaker biographies will be published ahead of each episode.

Episodes will be available on major platforms including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, SoundCloud, Amazon Music, and more. Listeners are encouraged to “like” or “favorite” the podcast to stay connected and never miss an episode. For more information, visit www.chmiowa.org or contact Lori Freudenberg at olpretreat@gmail.com.

The Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) has launched an initiative called “100 Days of Prayer, Fasting and Advocacy.” This national effort, which began on June 17 and continues through September 24, invites religious communities to select one or more days to deepen their spiritual practice while engaging in meaningful action for justice.

The Congregation of the Humility of Mary will join this movement on July 17, a day of significance as it marks the Feast of the Humility of Mary, the congregation’s own feast day. As the congregation reflects on the virtue of humility—a value that calls for compassionate presence and courageous service—this day offers a meaningful opportunity to align contemplative prayer with advocacy that speaks to the needs of today’s world. CHMs will mark the day through prayer and action in keeping with their long-standing commitment to justice, peace and solidarity with the vulnerable.

More details will be shared soon about how the CHM community will observe and participate in this day of reflection and solidarity. All are invited to join the sisters in prayerful witness and acts of justice on this special day.

CHM held its annual assembly in June. The five-day gathering included discussions about the Congregation’s future, a CHM associates day, a memorial service for the five CHMs and five associates who died in the past year, and a jubilee Mass and reception for four sisters and three associates. 

At the closing of the Congregation of the Humility of Mary’s Annual Assembly, Sister Johanna Rickl reflected on the Assembly as a time of honesty and gratitude. She reminded the CHM community that their original “yes” to religious life was not just to God, but to one another—to a life rooted in relationship, humility and shared purpose.

Acknowledging the new season the Congregation finds itself in, she spoke of the natural changes in energy, roles and capacity. These transitions, she said, are not endings, but invitations to live their vocation in new ways—with presence, prayer, wisdom and encouragement.

 Sister Johanna urged members to embrace change as an opportunity to deepen community, to trust those now carrying forward CHM ministries and to recognize that their witness continues to shape the future. 

Please enjoy this month's issue of Down to Humus newsletter

Recent Community Moments and Memories

ABOVE, LEFT COLUMN, FROM TOP -Sister Jennifer Hager, CHM Novice, along with Sister Lynn Mousel, visited Europe, including Paris and Nancy (where the community was founded) in France, before participating in HOPE 2025, a global gathering of Catholic sisters under the age of 65 in Rome. Pictured, Sister Jennifer visits the Vatican; Sister Kaye Holland is surrounded by friends and family who attended her Jubilee celebration; Five CHMs and five associates are remembered at a service in the Magnificat Chapel. RIGHT COLUMN - Tony Schiltz, OLPR Advisory Council and Marketing Committee member, explains The Prairie's labyrinth to attendees at an open house in June; Sister Joann Kuebrich admires the lovely flower arrangement in the Chapel created by Sister Nguyet Cao, LHC, for the assembly events; Sister Lois Dolphin, BVM (left), a Davenport grade (Sacred Heart) and high school (immaculate Conception Academy) classmate of Sister Mary Rehmann (right), attends the Jubilee celebration at HMC.

2664 14th Avenue - Wheatland, Iowa - 563-374-1092 - theprairieretreat.org

(Click the date for additional information)

For full details and to register find our calendar at www.theprairieretreat.org

• To register by email contact: olpretreat@chmiowa.org or call 563-374-1092.
• For online retreats, we will send an email with a Zoom link.
• Scholarships available.

Every Tuesday, beginning July 1 | 9:00-10:00 a.m.            

ONLINE ONLY  Lectio Divina

Linda Clewell, SMM Oblate

Lectio Divina is the foundation for Benedictine prayer. Consider making it a steady prayer in your life.

Free Will Offering

Wednesday, July 2 | 10:00-11:00 a.m.

Mass on The Prairie        

Father Bob Cloos

Every Wednesday, Beginning Jul 2 | 1:00-2:30 p.m.

ONLINE ONLY  Centering Prayer              

Carol Mizeur     

An ancient form of praying based on the words of Jesus.

Free Will Offering

Tuesday, July 8 | 6:00-7:30 p.m.

ONLINE ONLY: Bystander Intervention for Creating Safer Communities

The University of Iowa Violence Prevention Team

This is for those who are concerned about violence & discrimination in their communities and would like to learn how to take a stand!

$20

Thursday, July 10 | 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Pause and Refresh - Becoming Un-Stuck and Unwinding

Dr. Patricia Shea              

Take this time just for yourself - relax, refresh, and reconnect with yourself physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

$40

Friday, July 11 | 6:00-8:00 p.m. 

Sacred Sounds with Janel

Janel Wenndt   

Experience deep relaxation and emotional release with the practice of yoga with gongs.

$30

Wednesday, July 16 | 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

God's Presence All Around Us

Sr. Kathleen Sadler, OSF

Learn to hear God’s voice, see the sacredness in all things and connect deeply with God.

Fee: $40

Thursday, July 17 | 6:00-7:30 p.m.

ONLINE ONLY: Letters to Pope Francis: Rebuilding a Church with Justice and Compassion

Rev. Matthew Fox, PhD.

At a time when the Vatican is embroiled in decades-long scandals of the Curia and its clergy around the globe, this man inspired the world to hope for a church rebuilt in the spirit of his namesake, Francis.

$20

Wednesday, August 6 | 10:00-11:00 a.m.

Mass on The Prairie

Father Brian Micolt

Thursday, August 7 | 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Redemption Songs

Andy Douglas    

How music and a caring community can bring growth and healing to incarcerated people.

$20

Friday, August 8  | 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Writing Your Life: An Introduction to Memoir

Tom Montgomery Fate

An introductory workshop focused on memoir, but would be useful to ANY writer—poets and fiction writers as well.               

$40

Saturday, August 9 | 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Integral Spirituality: A Fitting Path

Rev. Jay Williams

This retreat will provide an accessible yet profound introduction to integral spirituality and its practical applications.

$40

Wednesday, August 13 | 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

Pickled!

Dianne Prichard

Learn to make delicious pickles that can't be bought anywhere.

$25

August 15-17 | 5:00 p.m.-10:30 a.m.      

The Way of the Pilgrim: Learning from Sacred Places

Lori Erickson

Gain an understanding of what makes a place sacred and how encountering holy sites—whether through travel, reflection or reading—can deepen your spiritual journey.

$175

Monday, August 18 | 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

The Book of Revelation – Unpacking a Mystery, Celebrating Victory!

Rev. Robert Mill and Dr. Mark Nimo

Unpack the keys to understanding this most misunderstood book of the Bible.

$40

Wednesday, August 20 | 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Growing and Cooking with Herbs

Deb Monroe

Explore the fascinating world of culinary herbs!

$25

Thursday, August 21 | 6:00-7:30 p.m.

Hildegard of Bingen’s Book of Divine Works with Letters and Songs

Rev. Matthew Fox, PhD.

The Book of Divine Works is a cosmology that reunites religion, science and art. Readers will discover an astonishing symbiosis with contemporary physics in these 800-year-old visions.

$20

August 22-24 | 5:00 p.m.-11:00 a.m.

Ancestral healing for Christian women

Dr. Jen Bessire

Christ is calling and has a plan for you. His work is in your hearts, but the trappings of your family lines are keeping it bound. It is time to set it free.

$175

Monday, August 25 | 6:00-8:00 p.m.

ONLINE ONLY: Fear and Faith: Hope and Wholeness in a Fractured World

Daniel P. Horan, PhD     

Jesus warns his followers to “be not afraid” more often than almost any other saying. Learn how fear functions as the enemy of Christian discipleship.

$20

Thursday, August 28 | 6:30-7:30 p.m.

ONLINE ONLY: Understanding Sustainable Investing and How It Relates to You

Jake Barnett

Better understand the current landscape for sustainable investing and how to ask the 'RIGHT' questions.

$10