Marywood offers a variety of online and onsite programs which can add to your spiritual journey. Topics include spirituality, personal growth, Franciscanism, art, creation, church history, and much more. These programs are available to everyone at any place on their spiritual journey. Take a look at our current offerings and register today.
Upcoming Programs
Grief & the Holidays
ONSITE Tuesday, December 13, 10:00 a.m. – noon
Registration Fee: $20
Grieving is painful, especially during the holidays. No matter how long it has been since a loved one has died, the holidays bring grief to the forefront of our minds and hearts, and those grieving can find themselves with many conflicting feelings, thoughts and longings. Let’s explore things we can do to make the holiday season easier when our hearts are hurting.
Register by Tuesday, December 6
Facilitators: Amy Kitsembel and Pat Pintens
[Amy is a bereavement coordinator for Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services.]
Who am I? A Look at the Enneagram
ONLINE Wednesday, December 14, 4:00pm – 5:15pm
Registration Fee: $20
An online version of the Enneagram program that took place on November 14.
“Who am I?” is one of the biggest questions we ask ourselves. There are many ways to answer this question and many tests to help us out. One such test is the Enneagram, which is based on nine different personality types. This program is an introduction to the enneagram and what it can offer in discovering who you are. Upon completion you will know what someone means when they say, “I am a nine…what are you?”
Register by Monday, December 12
Facilitators: Grant Van Lishout
Advent Lectio Series
ZOOM Tuesdays, November 29, December 6, 13 & 20, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Registration Fee: Freewill Offering
Lectio divina is an ancient way of reading, pondering and praying the scriptures or other spiritual writings. Let’s read, ponder, and pray together the Advent Sunday scripture readings and discover new insights for our daily living as we prepare for Christmas.
Register by Thursday, November 17
Facilitator: Pat Pintens
Women’s Christmas
ONSITE Thursday, January 5, 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. Filled
Saturday, January 7, 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Registration Fee: $45
Dinner and program on site at Marywood. Please register by Monday, December 19. Remember space is limited!
Facilitator: Marywood Staff
Hildegard of Bingen
ONSITE
Thursday, January 12, 9:30 – 11:00 a.m.
Hildegard of Bingen was a 12th century German Benedictine abbess and a woman of great and varied learning as a writer, composer, philosopher, mystic, visionary, and as a medical writer and practitioner during the High Middle Ages. She is one of the best-known composers of sacred monophony, as well as the most recorded in modern history. She has been considered by scholars to be the founder of scientific natural history in Germany. What can we learn from her today?
Register by Thursday, January 5
Facilitator: Pat Pintens
Fire Drumming on the Lake
ONSITE
Monday, January 23, 4:00pm – 6:00pm
Monday, February 20, 4:00pm – 6:00pm
Who wants to dream the songs of your heart? In the deep of winter, we will connect to the heart beat of Mother Earth. With a fire on the ice we’ll break through the darkness so our hearts can dance.
Register by Monday, January 16 / February 13
Facilitator: Rose Heil, FSPA
Choose Joy
ZOOM
Tuesday, January 17, 9:30 – 11:00 a.m.
Registration Fee: $20
In the midst of the cold dark winter when the holidays have past, we may feel like joy has left us. There are many reasons to not be joyful, yet many have found ways to look beyond their circumstances and choose joy. Joy is an intentional choice. During this time, we will do exercises that help us to see the joy in our lives. It is up to us whether we choose to accept it or not.
Register by Tuesday, January 10
Facilitator: Grant Van Lishout
Christ in the Mirror
ZOOM
Tuesday, January 24, 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Registration Fee: $20
“I am made in the image and likeness of God.” Is that what you say to yourself when you look in a mirror? The image of the mirror was central to St. Clare of Assisi’s spirituality. Let’s explore what she discovered, and make a few discoveries of our own.
Register by Wednesday, January 18
Facilitator: Pat Pintens
Pondering with Thoreau
ONSITE
Thursday, February 2, 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Registration Fee: $20
In today’s world, we are all seeking answers to the monumental challenges presenting themselves. Where do we search? Each of us tries to find the solutions in our own way.
Henry David Thoreau was a naturalist and philosopher, whose philosophy was the belief in the inherent goodness of people and nature. He found his spirituality in nature, seeking “to be always on the alert to find God in nature.” The true essence of his life was to develop his spirituality.
Join Mary Anne Smrz, author of her forthcoming book, Paddlin’ with Thoreau…, for a morning of journaling and reflecting on a selection of Thoreau’s lesser known quotes from her book. Thoreau found his answers in nature and we will follow his path to our own spiritual awakenings. Bring some of your favorite Thoreau quotes for discussion. Journals will be provided.
Register by Thursday, January 26
Facilitator: Mary Anne Smrz
Beginning Watercolor: Watercolor Essentials
ON SITE
February 6, 7, and 8, 2022: 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Registration Fee: $35 / day, $90 for all three
Monday, February 6 – Washes and Glazes
Tuesday, February 7 – Wet into Wet, and Dry Brush
Wednesday, February 8 – Soft and Hard Edging
Expressing oneself through painting, especially watercolor, is an adventure. Like any adventure, if plans are made ahead and steps are taken to know more about what is needed, the adventure can be more engaging and delightful. Approaches to watercolor vary. Some prefer highly organized and detailed methods and others free and spontaneous style. Both can benefit from learning some of the basics which is the purpose of this series. Bring watercolors, brushes, and a cold press watercolor paper #140: either a pad, sheets, or block that measures at least 9” by 12”. Limit of nine, bring a lunch.
Register by January 30
Facilitator: Sr. Karen Kappell, FSPA
Learning to be Astonished
ZOOM
Tuesday, February 7, 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Registration Fee: $20
In her poem “Messenger” Mary Oliver writes: “Let me keep my mind on what matters, which is my work, which is mostly standing still and learning to be astonished.” When is the last time you have been “astonished” by a snow flake, Jack Frost’s work, a chickadee at the feeder, a smile on the face of someone you love? Perhaps “astonishment” is a form of prayer. Come, be astonished and pray.
Register by Wednesday, February 1
Facilitator: Pat Pintens
Church Secretary/Bookkeepers Retreat Day
ONSITE
Thursday, February 16, 9:30 – 2:00 p.m.
Registration Fee: $35/person or $60 for two or more from the same church
Church secretaries and office personnel are on the front line of ministry, representing their parish/congregation in many ways. Your invaluable ministry needs you to take some “time out” to renew yourself and share supportive ideas with others in your positions. This day is designed especially for you! Price includes lunch.
Register by Wednesday, February 1
Facilitators: Pat Pintens and Grant Van Lishout
Introduction to Godly Play
ZOOM
Thursday, February 16, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Registration Fee: $20
Godly Play is an interactive way to get involved with scripture that uses visual aids and natural materials such as sand, wool fibers, wooden figures, water, fire, and in this story even a metal chain. Let’s take some time to prepare our hearts for Lent through the presentation and reflection of the sacred story of the exile and return of God’s people, and a deeper look into the story of the prophet Ezekiel. Maybe you will also have some self-discovery of God’s presence in your times of journey
Register by Thursday, February 9
Facilitator: Sherry Van Lishout
[Sherry is an Associate Pastor and leads children’s ministry at Ascension Lutheran Church in Minocqua]
Planting Your Feet in Midair
ZOOM
Monday, February 20, 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
ONSITE
Monday, February 20, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Registration Fee: $20
What would I do if I weren’t afraid? What determines where I go and what I step into doing this day in my life? Do I need certainty or safety before I try new things? Am I game to risk new possibilities? It takes faith to ask these questions. O God help me…
Register by Monday, February 13
Facilitator: Sister Rose Heil, FSPA
Sister Rose Heil, FSPA a former staff member of Marywood is currently ministering at St. Mary’s on the Odanah reservation.
Alzheimer Poetry
ZOOM
Tuesday, February 21, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Even though Alzheimer’s is a most debilitating disease, it can be an opportunity for creativity. Beautiful poems have been written by those who have Alzheimer’s, their family and friends and their caregivers; poems that offer hope, understanding, goodness, beauty, memories, a bit of the divine. Let’s share some of those poems, both written by others and ourselves.
Register by Wednesday, February 15
Facilitator: Pat Pintens