Thursday, 19 August 2010 10:04

‘Angel’ retreat on DVD
52-minute segment of retreat presented by Fr. Jarrod Lies available from Catholic Advance
One of Father Jarrod Lies’ presentations from his “My Angel Will Go Before You” weekend retreat July 30-31 at the Spiritual Life Center, Wichita, is being made available on DVD.
Father Lies’ retreat was based on Matthew 18:10, “Their angels always behold their heavenly Father’s face,” and reflected on guardian angels as examples and companions in adoration.
Amy Pavlacka, director of the diocesan Communications Office, said the DVD offer is a trial to ascertain the demand similar offers might have for those in the Diocese of Wichita who find it inconvenient to drive long distances for presentations at the Spiritual Life Center.
“We are taking steps to fulfill Bishop Jackels’ desire to connect and unite people throughout our diocese utilizing technology and information,” she said.
The DVD offer is just another step the Communications Office has taken to use technology to serve the faithful of the diocese, she added.
“We have begun to offer more video communication and information on our website by securing a diocesan YouTube account and have begun to post video and information on our social networking sites,” she said.

In the DVD Father Lies discusses the relationship angels and saints have in our lives.
“We believe as Catholic Christians that when we worship the living God in Liturgy we are worshipping in a magnificent universe of angels and saints and us on earth,” Fr. Lies says. “When we’re at Mass we’re in the presence of all of heaven and all the saints and angels.”
The whole purpose of our life as Christians is to worship God, he adds. “That’s the whole purpose of salvation. Why do I want to be saved? So that I can forever worship the glory and the magnificence of the living God.”
Want a copy of Fr. Lies’ presentation?
A DVD of the Saturday morning segment of Fr. Jarrod Lies’ “My Angel Will Go Before You” weekend retreat is available for $5. Those wishing to buy a copy may send a check to The Catholic Advance, 424 N. Broadway, Wichita KS 67202. The deadline for ordering a copy is Sept. 3. Copies will be mailed within 10 days of that date.
Preview available online
A preview of the DVD is available at here.

Religious Studies Program at SLC beginning new year
Whether you desire a firm foundation to be a catechist in the parish or the personal enrichment of understanding your faith better, the Religious Studies Program at the Spiritual Life Center can lead you toward your goal.
The Religious Studies Program will begin in the months of September and October with the class “Introduction to the New Testament,” by Dr. David Wall. Classes on the Sacraments by Fr. Pat York, Catholic Doctrine by Fr. Sherman Orr and Moral Theology by Fr. John Lanzrath will follow in the coming months.
Program meets on second Saturday of month
The RSP meets from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the second Saturday of the month, September through April. Those interested may sign up for individual classes or for the whole year. Over a two-year period, the Religious Studies Program meets the requirements for the Basic Certification as a Catechist in the Diocese of Wichita.
Now is the time to sign up for Introduction to the New Testament with Dr. David Wall. The course will help students become comfortable reading the New Testament with greater understanding. It will especially focus on the different portrayals of Jesus in the four Gospels, the development of St. Paul’s theology, and the underlying message of Revelation.
“I like to challenge my students to look at Sacred Scripture not so much as an historical document, but a window into the mind of God,” he said. “It is an invitation to join with him in a faith relationship that integrates head knowledge and spiritual experience into daily living. I hope that those who come are stimulated to read more in the New Testament at the conclusion of the course.”
Early bird registration until Aug. 28
Early bird registration for the Religious Studies Program is $55 and ends Aug. 28. The cost is $60 afterward. Scholarships are available. For reservations call the Spiritual Life Center at (316) 744-0167 or go to www.slcwichita.org to register online.

How to register for a program at the SLC
To make reservations for any event or for more information, call the Spiritual Life Center at (316) 744-0167 or go to www.slcwichita.org to register online.

Retirement topic of day of renewal at SLC
Most people look forward to retirement, but forget to consider, “How can you create a successful retirement?” Dr. Richard Johnson will be coming to the Spiritual Life Center to help answer that question on Tuesday, Sept. 28, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for a day of renewal entitled: “Creating a Successful Retirement: Finding A Clearer Faith Vision, A Renewed Personal Purpose, and A Deepened Personality Vigor in the So-Called Retirement Years.”
Retirement means many different things to many different people, yet ta spiritual thread runs though all the needs of those in the so-called retirement years. It is this thread that has the power to transform an ordinary life into an exceptional journey of discovery, a lackluster retirement into an adventure, and an unclear purpose into focused participation in the ongoing ministry of Jesus Christ.
Retirement can be a time for self-discovery. God’s providence always has surprises in store for us, and Christ always has something incredible in mind for us in our new role. It begins, though, with an honest appraisal.
The one-day program is designed to set the stage for new opportunity, helping participants move away from the external, material, achievement-oriented definition of self, toward a more personal, genuine, and spiritual one.
Retirement means change, yet we may not quite know how to go about it. Retirees dream of finding a better alignment, a more snug “fit” between their daily activities and their growing understanding of what’s best for them now. The day is the start to assembling our dream, which is actually God’s dream for us; for getting in touch with personal success and meaning, that goes beyond previous boundaries and which is deeply satisfying. This journey into ourselves is key to the transition we call retirement.
The day of renewal is for:
• All those heading toward retirement – even if it’s 10 years or more away
• All those already in retirement
• All those who don’t want to ever retire but who want to discover “more” in life
• Marrieds and singles, widows and widowers)
Cost includes lunch
The cost for the event is $40 and includes lunch. For reservations call the Spiritual Life Center at (316) 744-0167 or go to www.slcwichita.org to register online.

Morning, Evening of Reflection at the Spiritual Life Center with Fr. Kent Hemberger begins Sept. 8
Most of us can use a spiritual shot in the arm each month; a time to step back from our daily routine to examine our lives, to look to God more deeply in prayer and to learn something new.
The Spiritual Life Center will be offering such a morning and evening time of reflection beginning in September. The reflections will include a spiritual talk by Fr. Kent Hemberger, time for Adoration and Confession, Mass and a meal.
The morning reflections will begin at 9 o’clock and end with lunch at noon. The evening reflections begin at 5:30 (with optional evening prayer at 5:15) and conclude at 8:30 with Mass.
The September Morning of Reflection will be Wednesday, Sept. 8 and the Evening of Reflection on Thursday, Sept. 9.
The topic for the spiritual reflections will be “Spiritual Freedom.” Spiritual freedom is the goal of the Beatitudes and the direction Jesus is leading us through much of his teaching.
For reservations, call the Spiritual Life Center at (316) 744-0167 or go to www.slcwichita.org to register online.