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
Book Group: Braiding Sweetgrass
ONLINE
Tuesday, September 21- 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Registration Fee: $5 Please purchase book on your own
Call 319-395-6700 x202
Drawing on her life as an indigenous scientist, and as a woman, author Robin Wall Kimmerer shows how other living beings―asters and goldenrod, strawberries and squash, salamanders, algae, and sweetgrass―offer us gifts and lessons, even if we’ve forgotten how to hear their voices. In reflections that range from the creation of Turtle Island to the forces that threaten its flourishing today, she circles toward a central argument: that the awakening of ecological consciousness requires the acknowledgment and celebration of our reciprocal relationship with the rest of the living world.
Please join staff from the Franciscan Spirituality Center, Marywood Franciscan Spirituality Center and Prairiewood Spirituality Center for an evening of discussion and reflection. All are welcome! Register by September 17.
Facilitators: Staff from the three Franciscan Spirituality Centers: Prairiewood, Marywood, Franciscan Spirituality Center La Crosse
The Life of Henri Nouwen: An Introduction
ON SITE
Tuesday, September 21, 9:30am – 11:30am
ONLINE
Thursday, September 23, 6:00 pm – 8:00pm Registration Fee: $20
Henri Nouwen (d.1996) was a well-known priest, pastor, professor, theologian, and author whose spiritual writings have touched the lives of millions of people. This program is an introduction to his life, the profound impact he had on our spiritual lives and how we see and treat each other. Register by September 10.
Facilitator: Grant Van Lishout
Autumn Wisdom
ON SITE
Wednesday, September 22, 9:30am – 11:30am
ONLINE
Wednesday, September 22, 6:30 pm – 8:00pm Registration Fee: $20
Let’s begin autumn, “the richest season of the soul” (Angie Weiland-Crosby) by looking and listening for the wise lessons she teaches us, e.g., how she embraces change even as “she is falling to pieces”. Bring some autumn wisdom with you. Register by Friday, September 17.
Presenter: Pat Pintens
Walk with The Lord
ON SITE
Wednesday, September 29, 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm
Registration Fee: $10
Walking is good for both the body and the soul. To “walk with the Lord” is an expression of holiness (wholeness) in the Old Testament. (Gen. 6: 9-10) John Muir wrote: “I only went out for a walk and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in.” So put on some comfortable clothes and shoes and let’s go walking. Bring water, a walking stick, etc. Register by Thursday, September 23.
Facilitator: Pat Pintens
The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown
ONLINE
October 3, 10, 17, 24, and 31 2:00 pm – 3:15 pm
Registration Fee: $50 for 5 sessions
This book study will actually change your outlook on life. Brown explores the psychology of releasing our definitions of an “imperfect” life and embracing living authentically. What transforms this book from words on a page to effective daily practices are the ten guideposts to wholehearted living. They not only help us understand the practices that will allow us to change our lives, they also walk us through the unattainable expectations that get in the way. You will need to purchase your own book, currently $6.96 on Amazon. Register by noon Monday, September 30.
Facilitators: Andrea Fluegel, Pastor at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Eagle River, WI and Grant Van Lishout
Spirituality of St. Thérèse of Lisieux
ONLINE
Friday, October 1, 9:30 am – 11:00 am
Registration Fee: $20
St. Thérèse of Lisieux, also known as the “Little Flower”, lived her life in childlike simplicity. By surrendering herself completely to the everlasting love of God, she learned to do all things – no matter if big or small, with great love. Register by Monday, September 27.
Presenter: Mary Ellen Green, OP
Collage Painting with Hand-dyed Papers and Watercolors
ONSITE
Monday, October 4 – 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Registration Fee: $40
After we have created and dried wonderful colored papers with bleeding tissue, we will tear and glue them onto a landscape underpainting. This combination painting will be enhanced with more painting and other dry media. Bring watercolors, Elmer’s glue, watercolor paint supplies, and a half sheet (11” by 15”) of watercolor paper. All other materials will be provided. Bring lunch. Limit of eight. Register by September 27.
Presenter: Karen Kappell, FSPA
Collage Painting with Hand-dyed Papers and Watercolors
ONSITE
Tuesday, October 5 – 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Registration Fee: $40
Using the same materials and techniques as above, we will create a collage painting that has a floral composition. One added technique we will be using is blocking out. Bring lunch. Limit of eight. Register by September 27.
Presenter: Karen Kappell, FSPA
Watercolor: Painting Using Japanese Masa Paper
ONSITE
Wednesday, October 6 – 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Registration Fee: $40
Masa Paper fractures color into a beautiful network of lines similar to those used in batik. We will use the paper to create a painting of leaves or flowers. Bring a half sheet of stretched cold-pressed watercolor paper on which to mount the masa pa-per. Also bring photos of the above subjects, paints and brushes. Masa paper will be provided. Bring lunch. Limit of eight. Register by September 27.
Presenter: Karen Kappell, FSPA
Praying with Children
ONLINE
Thursday, October 14, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
ON SITE
Saturday, October 16, 10:00 am – 12:00pm
Registration Fee: $20
Children have an innocence, curiosity, and wonder about life. As guardians and caregivers, we have a responsibility to nurture the prayer life of our children, which is different from that of adults. This program is geared towards parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles who care for the spiritual nurturing of their elementary-aged children who wish to discover ways they can pray with them. Register by noon October 3.
Facilitator: Grant Van Lishout
Life and Death Go Together
ONLINE
Thursday, October 28, 9:30 am – 11:30 am
ON SITE
Saturday, October 30, 9:30 am – 11:30 am
Registration Fee: $20
Nature shows us moments of life and moments of powerlessness and death. Every Christian will meet the Risen Lord sometime in her or his life as All Saints and All Souls Day give evidence. How do we grow into finding God “in all things?” Register by October 26.
Presenter: Sr. Marla Lang, FSPA
Trasna: The Crossing Place
ON SITE
Tuesday, November 2, 9:30 am – 11:30 am
ONLINE
Tuesday, November 2, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Registration Fee: $20
Trasna, a Gaelic word, is best translated as the crossing place: a place of choosing which way to go, how to proceed or move forward. Trasna means not only the physical act of a cross-roads but also the spiritual transition from an old way of living to a new way. We’ll explore the trasna points in our lives and in our larger world. Register by Tuesday, October 26.
Presenters: Sr. Mary Ellen Green, OP and Pat Pintens
Hand-Making Of Christmas Cards
ONSITE
Tuesday, November 2 – 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Registration Fee: $40
Using water-media and printing techniques we will create cards that add a special personal touch to our Christmas greeting. Working with supplied watercolor paper, and watermedia sprays, we will create large sheets with a free formed pattern, then cut and develop smaller sections of this paper into cards followed by a variety of stamping techniques. Bring inks, Christmas stamps, watercolor supplies and brushes. Bring lunch. Limit of nine. Register by October 25.
Presenter: Karen Kappell, FSPA
Iris Folding Cards
ONSITE
Wednesday, November 3 – 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Registration Fee: $40
Iris folding is a delightful fun and relaxing paper craft activity easily done by any-one. Using Christmas templates, we will create designs out of lightweight pa-per. These designs will be placed on card stock to make hand-made cards. Once learned, this project can be easily continued at home during your leisure. Several Christmas templates and patterned papers will be pro-vided. Bring sharp scissors, lightweight wrapping paper (small sheets are fine), and transparent Scotch tape. Bring lunch. Limit of nine. Register by October 25.
Presenter: Karen Kappell, FSPA
Canticle of St. Francis Retreat
ON SITE
Friday, November 5, 5:00 pm – Sunday November 7, 11:00 am
Registration Fee: $260 private cabin and $150 commuters (please include $100 deposit with registration)
“Be praised” St. Francis cries out in his canticle, naming the sun, moon, stars, wind, water, earth, and all living creatures as “brothers and sisters.” This retreat will give us time to pray with our “brothers and sisters” and learn more about their ways and the wisdom they offer us. Beginning and ending meals provided. Register by October 27.
Presenter: Pat Pintens
Creating Sanctuary
ON SITE
Monday, November 15, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
ONLINE
Wednesday, November 17, 9:30 am – 11:30 am
Registration Fee: $20
There is a wonderful and safe feeling being in a sanctuary, where we are here and the activeness and worries of life are out there. Might there be a way we can take the essence of sanctuary with us in our day to day happenings? This program will help us find our inner sanctuary in order to bring it out into the world in which we live and share the peace and love of sanctuary with others. Register by noon October 29.
Facilitator: Grant Van Lishout
Waging Peace: Lessons from Mattie Stepanek
ON SITE
Monday, November 29, 9:30 am – 11:30 am
ONLINE
Monday, November 29, 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Registration Fee: $20
“Waging peace” may sound less peaceful than “peacemaker,” yet young “peacemaker” Mattie Stepanek relentlessly waged peace, especially in his poetry. We’ll share his peacemaking poems and insights from his book Re-flections of a Peacemaker. Register by Friday, November 26.
Presenter: Pat Pintens
What is Spiritual Direction and Is it For Me?
ONLINE
Thursday, December 2, 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Registration Fee: $20
Have you ever wondered how God is working in your life? Have you ever wanted to talk to someone about God in your life? Do you wonder if God is “really” active in your life? If you can answer “yes” to any of these questions, spiritual direction/guidance may be for you. Participate in this introductory session and get your questions answered about this practice of “holy listening.” Register by Friday, November 26.
Facilitator: Sr. Elizabeth Amman, OP
Advent and the Art of Listening to One’s Self
ONLINE
Friday, December 3, 9:30 am – 11:30 am
ON SITE
Saturday, December 4, 9:30 am – 11:30 am
Registration Fee: $20
Advent invites us to deeper listening, to getting in touch with the special persons in our lives. Good listening opens doors to others, even to ourselves, to a sermon! We will explore some helpful approaches to good listening in a variety of settings. Register by December 2
Presenter: Sr. Marla Lang, FSPA
Holding On, Letting Go
ONLINE
Monday, December 6, 9:30 am – 11:30 am
ON SITE
Monday, December 13, 9:30 am – 11:30 am
Registration Fee: $20
When something or someone has served its purpose, it is time to let go. Letting go is difficult, but it also makes room for new. This program will challenge us to look at all we hold onto in life and ask, “What is worth letting go of?” The Spirit just might have something better to fill it. Register by noon December 3.
Facilitator: Grant Van Lishout
Praying Mary’s Magnificat (Advent Day of Reflection)
ONLINE & ON SITE (HYBRID)
Wednesday, December 8, 10:00 am – 2:30 pm
Registration Fee: $25
The opening verse of Mary’s Magnificat, once translated as “My soul magnifies the Lord …” is now translated,“ My being proclaims the greatness of the Lord.” During this Advent Day of Reflection, we will explore how Mary’s prayer makes clearer (enlarges) our understanding of God’s greatness and how we are invited to participate in that divine expansion. On site participants: bring a bag lunch. Register by Thursday, December 2.
Presenter: Pat Pintens
Praying with Winter Skies
ON SITE
Tuesday, December 14, 9:30 am – 11:30 am
ONLINE
Tuesday, December 14, 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Registration Fee: $20
“I wonder as I wander out under the sky …” is a beautiful, haunting ballad from the Appalachian region. Winter skies can set us to wondering about many things. What would happen if we were to begin praying those skies, whether they be an early morning sky or “a midnight clear” sky? Let’s find out. Register by Thursday, Dec. 9.
Presenter: Pat Pintens