Caring for Mother Earth: Prayers and Practices
A Day of Reflection for Adults
Monday, November 11, 2019
9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Program Cost: $50.00 (includes Lunch)
This program begins on Monday, but there is still space available. To register, call the office at 847-381-1261.
Summary
“Praise be to you, my Lord, through our Sister, Mother Earth, who sustains and governs us…” Thus Pope Francis begins his encyclical Laudato Si, On Care for Our Common Home. This day explores the pope’s urgent message in calling for a change of heart. Using poetry, storytelling, art and science, these two creative presenters will tug at our hearts and challenge our thinking about the way we live on this planet we call home.
Description
A day or evening of reflection, grounded in the Jesuit tradition, is a shorter version of the Ignatian Weekend Retreat. Wherever you are on your spiritual journey, a day or evening program is sure to give you the peace and serenity needed to be still and to rest in God's loving embrace.
Your day or evening of reflection includes thematic talks from our skilled Retreat Leaders, time for private prayer, celebration of Mass and a meal.
Bellarmine has two libraries, a resource center, two chapels, and many other common areas. Outdoor spaces include a various walking trails, various prayer gardens, a gazebo, stations of the cross, as well as a few patios and outdoor chairs and benches.
Retreat Experience Gallery
Bellarmine Main Entrance
Sacred Heart Chapel
Mary McKeon Library
St. Joseph Gazebo
Mother Teresa Garden
Eastern Africa Collection
Fireplace Lounge
Dining Room
Winter on the Grounds
Resource Center
Sacred Heart Statue at Sunset
Susie's Memorial Garden
Madonna Library
Lower Level Lounge
Retreat Leaders
Fr. J. Michael Sparough, SJ
Fr. J. Michael Sparough, SJ is a retreat leader, poet, story teller and spiritual director at the Bellarmine Jesuit Retreat House in Barrington, IL. He holds an MFA from the Yale School of Drama and a Doctor of Ministry from St Mary of the Lake in Mundelein, IL. He is the founder of Charis, a national Jesuit retreat ministry for young adults in their 20s and 30s. For 10 years he trained spiritual directors at Loyola University-Chicago.
A prolific writer and speaker, Fr. Michael has published books, poems, CDs, and DVDs on prayer, discernment, and the sacraments with America Media, Franciscan Media, Paulist Press, Liturgical Training Publications and Audible. His latest co-authored book, published by Loyola Press, is What’s Your Decision? An Ignatian Approach to Decision Making.
Fr Michael is also the President of Heart to Heart Catholic Media Ministry. His weekly video homilies can be seen online at www.HtoH.US. He has just completed writing and directing a 12-part video series entitled: Discern & Decide: Navigating Life’s Choice, An Ignatian Video Guide.
Listen to a talk by Fr. Michael.
Sr. Pat Bergen, CSJ
Pat Bergen, CSJ is a member of the Congregation of Sisters of St. Joseph. She is an educator, spiritual directress, retreat and workshop facilitator. She co-founded the Well Spirituality Center in La Grange, IL. She has just completed serving on the Leadership Team of the Congregation. She has a Doctorate in Ministry. She has a passion for awakening people to the oneness of all creation and its implications for our understanding of Scripture, Justice, Leadership and Prayer.
Fr. John Braverman, SJ
Rev. John M. Braverman, SJ is a Jesuit of the Maryland Province of the Society of Jesus. He is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biology at Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia, PA. John’s research is in evolutionary biology. He’s spending Fall 2019 as the Pierre Teilhard de Chardin Fellow in Catholic Studies at Loyola University Chicago.