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"But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."
–Isaiah 40:31
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As we enter a new month, come join us in person or via Zoom.
Come Down from the Tree (a Zoom guided meditation)
Mar. 5, Wed. 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Praying the Lenten Scriptures
(a 6-week Zoom series)
Mar. 6, 13, 20, 27 & April 3,10
Thursdays, 7-8:00 p.m.
Contemplative Mandalas (on-site)
Mar. 7, Fri. 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Lenten Lectio with the Sunday Scriptures (a 6-week Zoom series)
Mar. 11. 18, 25, April 1, 8, 15
Tues.11:00 a.m.-noon
Sabbath on the Lenten Journey—Experience God Through the Creative Expression of Collage (on-site)
Mar. 20, Thurs. 9:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Coffee & Silence (on-site)
Mar. 25, Tues., 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
The Holy in Poetry—Exploring How the Poet Conveys the Divine
(a 4-week Zoom series)
Mar. 27, Apr. 3, 10, 24, Thurs. 2-3:00 p.m.
Heartfelt Healing—A Retreat for Compassinate Caregivers (on-site)
Mar. 28-29, Fri. 7:00 p.m.—Sat. 3:30 p.m.
Zentangle for Beginners (on-site)
Mar. 28-29, Fri. 3:00 p.m.—Sat. 3:00 p.m.
Souljourners Inquiry Session (on-site)
Mar. 29, Sat., 10:00 a.m.-noon
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Pope Francis calls us to enter into Lent 2025 as "Pilgrims of Hope." This theme encourages us to connect with God and deepen our hope in a world growing in division and despair.
Signs of change are all around us; the days are getting warmer, we’re turning our calendars over to March, and our New Year’s resolutions are behind us. Lent, a time of waiting for Easter, is drawing near. To prepare ourselves, we pray, we fast and through almsgiving, we share our resources with those who are less fortunate. Although Lent is often associated with the Catholic faith, many other Christians observe it. There is no better time to deepen one’s faith than Lent. May our Lenten fast this year be a fast from indifference and complacency. Let us speak and act in bold ways that bring about God’s kingdom where all are welcome and all have the resources they need to live healthy, happy, and fulfilled lives.
Pope Francis has declared this a Jubilee Year of Hope. He points to the signs of hope in the “signs of the times,” inviting us to recognize the good in the world so as not to be tempted to consider ourselves overcome by evil and violence. He expresses his hope that this conviction might “impel us to work with courage so that hope ‘may be translated into peace for the world’” still “immersed in the tragedy of war.”
Pope Francis implores us, “Let us learn this lesson from love, building hope that seeks that all may have what is necessary, teaching others to share with the poor, and to open ourselves with generous welcome to others, so that we may know how to contribute what we are and what we have to the common good.”
As we all work to be signs of hope and to build islands and bridges of hope this Lenten season, be assured of the prayers of our Sisters that you and your loved ones have a most blessed Lent and Easter. We invite you to consider joining us for one of our Lenten retreats.
Carol Ann Petersen, OSB
Director of Sophia Center
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Mar. 6, 13, 20, 27, Apr. 3, 10, Thurs. 7-8:00 pm
Cost: $60 (6-week series)
These sessions will give you the opportunity to pray the Sunday Scriptures of Lent with others. Using techniques such as centering prayer, lectio divina, and guided meditation, we will listen with the ear of our hearts for inspiration from the readings, from the Spirit, and from one another.
Learn more
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Mar. 11, 18, 25, Apr. 1, 8, 15, Tues. 11:00 a.m.-noon
Cost: $60 (6-week series)
The liturgical season of Lent gives us the opportunity to listen more closely and more deeply with the ear of our hearts. Please join us for this opportunity for a slow, contemplative praying of the Scriptures. We will meet weekly and spend time listening, reflecting and responding to the Sunday gospels of Lent.
Learn more
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Mar. 20, Thurs. 9:30 a.m.-4:00 pm
Cost: $90 (includes lunch and all materials)
Art can be a form of prayer—a process to center ourselves and open up to experience God. In this experiential retreat we’ll create sacred collage using mixed media, incorporating images, words, decorative paper, stamped prints, and embellishments. Reflection questions will include “How did I experience the creative process?” and “What does my art speak to me of the sacred?” Our focus is the process, not the product, so one need not be an accomplished artist, but simply be willing to play and engage with the materials.
Learn more
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Lent is an ideal time for a private retreat | During Lent, many of us seek to deepen our prayer life and prioritize our time with God. A private retreat offers an excellent opportunity to do this. Find a time that works for you and come stay with us. Make your Lent a remarkable one. Learn more about our private retreat options and get a time scheduled. | |
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Where Art & Prayer Come Together (on-site)
Apr. 1, Tues.,
9:30 am-3:30 pm
facilitated by Sr. Micaela Randolph
Cost: $75
God designed us as creative beings, yet we often lack the opportunity to explore our creativity in daily life. Join us on this retreat to discover how art can deepen our connection with God. Through prayer, silence, and creative expression, we hope you'll return with new ways to respond to God.
Learn more
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Guided Meditation: Promise Keeping
(Zoom)
Apr. 2, Wed.,10:30-11:30 am
facilitated by Sr. Linda Zahner
Cost: $15
Join us for a guided meditation and reflection for an empowering experience as we focus on the Gospel story of Jesus reading from the scroll of the prophet Isaiah in the synagogue on the Sabbath. It was in that moment that Jesus publicly acknowledged the call of God in his life to do great acts of service that only he could fulfill. We are reminded that we too are called to recognize God’s call in our life and to respond accordingly.
Learn more
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Easter Triduum:
Word & Ritual
(Zoom)
Apr. 9, Wed.,
11:00 am-12:30 pm
facilitated by Sr. Anne Elizabeth Sweet
Cost: free-will offering
The three days of the Easter Triduum, from the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday evening until Vespers of Easter Sunday, are the most sacred days of the Church year. By reflecting on the readings and rituals of these sacred days, Sr. Anne Elizabeth will help us prepare our hearts and minds to fully celebrate the Paschal Mystery.
Learn more
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Sole to Soul:
A Personal Retreat Day
(on-site)
Apr. 9, Wed.,
9:30 am-3:30 pm
facilitated by Sr. Linda Zahner
Cost: $90
Take a day to refresh and restore your soul, mind, and body. Sr. Linda Zahner will lead a guided meditation to start the day, and then you can choose from one of three options— reflexology, contemplative healing touch, or spiritual direction—to add to your time. You will also have ample opportunity to visit the chapel, walk the grounds, relax at Sophia Center—whatever nourishes your health and well-being.
Learn more
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Celebrate the Easter Triduum at the Mount
(on-site)
Apr. 17—20,
Thurs., 3:45 pm -Sun.1:00 pm
Cost: $270
Join the monastic community and enter fully into days of deep silence and rich celebration of the Mass of the Last Supper, Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion, the Easter Vigil, and Mass of the Resurrection of the Lord. Begin and end your Paschal journey with festive meals among the Benedictine sisters in the monastery dining room.
Learn more
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Contemplative Outreach Presenter Formation for Centering Prayer
(on-site)
Apr. 29—May 2,
Tues., 5:00 pm—Fri., noon
facilitated by Rob Carr and other trained presenters from Contemplative Outreach
Cost: $400
Please note that to attend this training, an application is required prior to registration.
This workshop offers a first step of formation training that will enable you to become a commissioned presenter of centering prayer workshops in your local area. As a commissioned presenter, you will have the opportunity to introduce the practice of Centering Prayer to others who are encountering it for the first time as well as help guide those already experienced in this contemplative exercise go more deeply.
Learn more
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Additional upcoming dates:
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Coffee & Silence (on-site)
Apr. 15, Tues., 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Cost: free-will offering
It’s amazing what a day away in a quiet and peaceful setting can do to refresh your mind and nourish your soul. That’s what we are offering as we invite you to join us for Coffee & Silence. Think of it as a mini-retreat where you can come and spend time however suits you—in silent prayer and reflection, reading, contemplative walking, or rest. Bring your lunch and enjoy a prayerful day away.
Learn more.
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2025 Inquiry Session Dates
- March 29, Saturday, 10:00 a.m.-noon on-site
- April 10, Thursday, 7-8:00 p.m. on Zoom
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Gain new skills to help you better serve others
Are you in a profession where skills of deep listening in a spirit of encouragement and acceptance would be of benefit to those you serve? Or have you ever wondered about becoming a spiritual director?
Learn more about our Souljourners formation program for spiritual directors. Join us for one of our inquiry sessions where we provide an in-depth view of Souljourners to help you determine if it is a path you feel called to pursue. Have all your program questions answered and talk with staff. For those coming for an on-site day, you will also have the opportunity to tour the campus and Sophia Center.
Learn more
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