Upcoming Programs, Events, and Retreat Descriptions
Registration Deadline for all programs is one week prior to program or when full.         
Some programs and retreats have limited space available.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW FOR UPCOMING RETREAT AND EVENT OPPORTUNITIES...

JANUARY SILENT DIRECTED RETREAT..Sunday, January 22 at 6:00 p.m. through Saturday, January 28 at 1:00 p.m.. A prayerful experience of solitude, time spent in prayer, and in relationship with your God.  You will meet daily with a Spiritual Director, and gather for prayer daily as a group. Cost: $420 includes spiritual direction, private room, meals, and retreat. ($50 non-refundable desposit required with registration). Directed by Anne Pellegrino RSM, Jean Sitter RSM, and Marisa Gilbert.

WINTER, A TIME OF REST...Finding Peace for your Soul - Friday, January 20 at 6:30 p.m. through Saturday, January 21 at 3:00 p.m.
Adult men and women are invited to escape the stress and strife of life, and step into the sacred sounds of winter stillness with guest presenter, Julaine Christensen - minister, worship leader, author and musician. Julaine will unfold what it means to enter into God's rest, the benefits of resting in God. Three retreat options: Overnight Retreat is $85 per person and includes all meals and overnight accommodations. Commuter Retreat is $55 per person and includes meals and retreat sessions (no overnight). Saturday Only is $40 per person from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and includes continental breakfast and lunch.

EXPERIENCING GOD'S LOVE-Tuesday, February 7 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Come with hearts prepared to experience the Love of God through His Word, Art, and Creation. Enjoy a day of creative prayer and sharing as our facilitators invite you to break open your experiences of God's love in your life. Co-facilitators Mary Jane Tynan and Linda Reid. Mary Jane is a Spiritual Director and prayer group leader at St. Cecilia Cathedral. Linda is actively involved in 'Embrace the Heartland in Prayer' which promotes prayer in the metro area. She is also chair of the citywide National Day of Prayer event. Cost is $35 per person and includes continental breakfast and lunch.

ESSENTIAL PERMACULTURE TRAINING - Saturday, February 18 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday, February 19 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. KMSC and 'Transition Omaha' team together to host this incredible and informative workshop. Through this foundational course participants will learn how to grow things using permaculture design techniques. This intensive training is practical for renters, apartment dwellers, home-owners and lot-owners alike. For suburban and city residents who want to transorm their immediate environment into something beautiful, productive, and energy lean and functional. Presenters are Bill and Becky Wilson from Midwest Permaculture. Call Becky at 815.256.2215 for more information and to make reservations.

LIFE AS A JOURNEY - MEN'S RETREAT - Friday, February 24 at 6:30 p.m. through Saturday, February 25 at 5:00 p.m. We walk through a life of faith with the Lord. St. Ignatius considered himself a pilgrim on a journey. How can his prayer help us as we walk with Jesus through Lent? Come to the silence; join us for this inspiriing and thought-provoking weekend. Facilitator Fr. Kevin Schneider SJ grew up in Green Bay Wisconsin and is a Creighton University graduate. Ordained in 1994, he is a member of the Jesuit Community of Creighton Preparatory High School, where he offers spiritual development for the faculty and staff. Three Retreat options are available: Overnight Retreat is $85 per person and includes all meals and overnight accommodations. Commuter Retreat is $55 per person and includes meals and retreat sessions (no overnight). Saturday Only is $40 per person from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and includes continental breakfast and lunch.

FABRIC OF OUR LIVES...Quilters Day of Reflection - Friday, March 9 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Using quilt imagery our presenter will help you find the sacredness of the ordinary in our lives. Facilitator Mary Eileen Andreasen will demonstrate how our lives are pieced together by daily events that make us who we are. Her presentation will include quilts she has made. Mary Eileen has worked extensively in acute health care settings, health care education, and geriatrics and also as a chaplain in pastoral care. She currently works at New Cassel Retirement Center as Director of Outreach Ministry. Fee for this retreat is $25 per person and includes continental breakfast and lunch.

PALM  SUNDAY LENTEN RETREAT - Thursday, March 29  at 6:00 p.m. through noon Sunday April 1.  Prepare for Holy Week with this retreat experience.  Enjoy the quiet and solitude of time away in prayer.  There will be opportunities for spiritual direction for those who desire. Facilitated by Spiritual Directors  Anne Pellegrino, RSM and Jean Sitter, RSM.  Fee: $225/ person includes all meals and overnight accommodations.  $50 non-refundable deposit is due with registration.

AWAKENING THE DREAMER - Thursday, April 19 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. In honor of Earth Day, this educational and inspirational retreat day invites participants to help create a more environmentally sustainable, spiritually fulfilling and socially just world. Facilitator Kathleen Erickson RSM currently serves on the WMW Justice Team, her particular interests lie in the areas of immigration and earth. She spent 18 years working with immigrants at the US/MX border. Retreat Fee is $35 and includes continental breakfast and lunch.

KYLE KNAPP CONCERT on Sunday, April 22 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Knowles Mercy Center.  Join us for an enjoyable and captivating evening as you sit back and relax over wine and appetizers with friends, as you listen to the music of Kyle Knapp.  Kyle is a singer-songwriter playing acoustic guitar, with most of his original songs having grown out of stories from his faith-journey. We hope you will find his performance moving, heartfelt and thought-provoking. Known both locally and regionally, Kyle performs at coffeehouses, churches and other acoustic venues. Find Kyle online at www.kyleknapp.com.  Fee: $30/person includes wine and hot appetizers.  Limited space available.  Reservations required.  Stay the night for an additional $40/person.

A PRAYER EXPERIENCE...National Day of Prayer - Thursday, May 3 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Recapture and reclaim your quiet time with God. We will recognize World Day of Prayer with scriptural references, practical application and time for contemplation to deepen our spiritual lives. Facilitator Cheryl Paden is a retired RN and has worked the past ten years as a Pastor for the United Methodist Church. She is a freelance writer and has published a nonfiction book, "Daniel", the story of the Biblical Daniel. Fee for this retreat is $25 per person and includes lunch.

CELEBRATING MOTHERHOOD - Saturday, May 12 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. In the midst of the demands of motherhood, it can be challenging to name and celebrate the gifts and graces of being a mother. Join other moms as we share stories, name gifts, and celebrate what it means to mother. Invite your mom, your girlfriends, and your daughters to join you for this day designed to nurture body, mind and spirit. Facilitator Debbie Sheehan, MA is a Spiritual Director, mother, mother-in-law, and grandmother. Deb was the former coordinator of HEARTS Ministry for the Omaha Archdioceses from 2000-2008, and is an adjunct lecturer in the Creighton University Spirituality Program. Fee is $40 and includes continental breakfast and lunch.

LESSONS FROM THE LABYRINTH - Learning to 'Let Go and Let God' - Saturday, June 16 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. In its simple pattern, the labyrinth captures many aspects of life—journey, rhythm, search, discovery, change, trust, and our movement inward to sacred space.  Join us for this inspiring day as we see how the loops and backtracks of the labyrinth help to keep in perspective the overall design and journey of life. Facilitator Margie McMenamin Walker is a gifted teacher, spiritual director and retreat director and she looks forward to accompanying you on this day of discovery.

TO REGISTER FOR ABOVE RETREAT OPPORTUNITIES click on the following registration link and print off the form, fill it in, and mail with registration fee to Knowles Mercy Spirituality Center, 2304 Campanile Road, Waterloo, Ne. 68069. Printable Registration Form

MONTHLY GATHERINGS AT KNOWLES MERCY SPIRITUALITY CENTER...

NEW!...SONGWRITERS INTEREST GROUP...a workshop-like environment for artists to come together to be inspired and enhance their skills. Meeting monthly starting January 30 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Will continue to meet on the last Monday of each month. Local musicians, music ministers, songwriters and lyricists that are interested in writiing songs and receiving ideas and feedback from a friendly group of musical peers, are invited to attend. Participants should have some level of ability and experience with an instrument, vocals or lyrics so to feel comfortable performing informally for the group. A $5 fee per person helps to cover use of the space and snacks and beverages.

"BOOK IT" TO KNOWLES~ KMSC Book Club... gathers from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. monthly throughout the year for a light supper of soup, salad, bread, and dessert followed by a book discussion and sharing. All are welcome (a suggested donation of $10 for dinner). Please call in reservations at 402.359.4288. Join us for the following book discussions...
BOOK CLUB DATES: January 17 - "THE GIRL IN THE GREEN SWEATER" by Krystyna Chiger, February 21 - "THE YELLOW HOUSE" by Patricia Falvey, March 20 - "PRAYERS FOR SALE" by Sandra Dallas, April 17 - "THE SOLDIER'S WIFE" by Margaret Leroy.

"HEART TO HEART"...Christian Women's Quiet Reflection and Sharing Group meet from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on a weekday to share heart to heart connections with others, as they discuss family, life, and faith. Group discussion, quiet time to wander the grounds and relax, with beverages and snacks available. A suggested $5 donation for facility usage, snacks, and beverage bar. Upcoming dates are: Thursday January 19, Wednesday February 22, Tuesday March 27, and Tuesday April 17.

PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY... Knitters at all levels, beginning to experienced, are invited to join other knitters creating prayer shawls for those in need. The group meets every second Wednesday of the month from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. Upcoming meeting times: February 8, March 14, April 11.