Thursday, 02 February 2012 14:09

Beginning Experience set for March 2-4 at the SLC
Beginning Experience is hosting a weekend March 2-4 at the Spiritual Life Center, Wichita.
BE promotes healing from the grief experienced after losing a partner through death or divorce.
The retreats are open to all ages and are designed for those who have passed through the initial stage of grief. 
The weekend consists of talks by former participants, reflective writing, and sharing. Topics covered during the weekend include trust in self, guilt, anger, trust in God, and symptoms of spiritual death. The sharing is conducted in small groups and always remains confidential.  A reconciliation service is held Saturday and the weekend is concluded with Mass on Sunday.
One person attended a BE weekend after her marriage ended after 23 years. “ I was filled with so much hurt and anger at myself, my spouse and God.  Beginning Experience helped me to learn to deal with these feelings, they taught me that I was not unique nor alone in feeling this way and started my healing journey.  It truly was a miracle to me and I know that it could also be for those who are suffering in your parish also.”
Want to participate?
For further information or to register, please call Beverly Pieplow at (316)264-4876, or Judy Demuth at (620) 430-0339 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  Financial aid is available to help with the cost of the weekend.

Fall and winter retreats scheduled at the SLC
SLC asks only for a free-will donation to stay
WICHITA – The Spiritual Life Center is offering a number of retreats designed for individuals and small groups in the next few months. Here is the schedule:
Feb. 24-26
“Ignatius Prayer and meditation” A wonderful way of thinking, praying, and recognizing God in everything and moment.
Feb. 17-19
“The Seven Petitions of the Our Father.” The one prayer Jesus Himself taught us. Understand its meaning and implications.
Space is limited
Space for the retreats is limited to 10 to 15 rooms. The only cost of the weekend is $29.75, for meals.
A free-will offering of $40 per night is suggested, but because the SLC desires to make available the diocesan retreat center to everyone, it is asking for a free will offering to help cover the costs.
For reservations contact the center at (316) 744-0167 or go to www.slcwichita.org for more information or to make a reservation. The Spiritual Life Retreat Center is located at 7100 E. 45 St. N. in Wichita.

Brown Baggin’ it With Jesus begins Feb. 24 at the SLC
WICHITA – The annual Lenten faith formation series, “Brown Baggin’ it With Jesus,” begins Feb. 24. The series continues on the Fridays of Lent from 12:10 to 12:50 p.m. at the Spiritual Life Center, 7100 E. 45 St. N.
Father Ken VanHaverbeke leads the popular lunchtime series to help adult Catholics learn more about their faith.  “Most Catholics have a fourth grade remembrance or understanding of their Catholic Faith,” he said. “Series such as Brown Baggin’ It allows adults to remember what they either forgot, or never were taught!”
This year’s series will focus on the Old Testament. “Without an understanding the Old Testament, the Good News of the New Testament is not fully realized,” Fr. Van Haverbeke said.
Catholic and non-Catholics are invited. Don’t forget to bring a brown bag lunch, or call ahead to (316) 744-0167 to reserve a box or hot lunch.

‘Healing Your Family of Origin’ retreat March 2-4 at the SLC
The ‘Healing Your Family of Origin’ retreat planned for March 2-4 at the Spiritual Life Center in Wichita is designed to help repair the brokenness within families.
Sharon Gagnon, who will lead this retreat, said human beings were created to be fruitful and flourish, to love and to be loved.
“Because of our fallen nature, however, we experience suffering – sometimes at the hands of those who were placed in our lives to show us love and help us grow. Because of the suffering, death, and resurrection of Christ, we are offered the opportunity to heal, experience redemption, and to love more fully, by extending and receiving mercy and forgiveness.”
Gagnon added that the retreat will help those attending understand the influences, interrelationships, and events that have led or can lead a family on a path of pain.
The weekend is recommended for anyone who wants to heal their brokenness and begin the journey down the road to emotional health. The presentations will especially benefit those who grew up with parents or grandparents with extreme forms of dysfunction or secrets in their family including divorce, alcohol, drugs, pornography, abuse, incest, or rape.
Gagnon has a master’s degree in education from the University of Kansas and has done graduate work in Family Life Ministry and Adult Christian Community Development.
Also on the team to assist her are several Catholic counselors from the Diocese of Wichita including Chris Ebberwein, Linda Fitzgerald, Susan Jones, Cheri Oatsdean, and Rachel Pearson. Father Ken Van Haverbeke, Paul Beyer, and Tami Gates from the Spiritual Life Center staff will also be helping with the retreat.
The retreat is March 2-4 at the Spiritual Life Center, Wichita. The costs, if registering by Feb. 20, are $80 for single occupancy, $70 per person for double occupancy, and $55 for commuters. For more information or to register go to www.slcwichita.org.

Catholic Men’s Conference set for March 10 at the SLC
A Catholic Men’s Conference will be held March 10 at the Spiritual Life Center, Wichita. The conference will feature a variety of speakers and topics intended to strengthen the faith of men.
Speakers this year include:
• Fr. John Hotze, “What Fr. Kapaun Teaches Us About Manhood”
• Timothy Putnam, president and cofounder of NFP Aware, “The Most Important Decision”
• Tony Brandt and Chris Stewart, “Manhood in the Old Testament,” “Manhood in the New Testament,” and “St. Joseph: Manhood Today and Beyond”
The $20 fee includes the conference, lunch, and snacks. To register, call (316) 744-0167 or visit www.slcwichita.org.