Seminars/Workshops/Retreats:

Women Priests, Bishops, Leaders in the Early Christian Community

The archaeological evidence demonstrates that women were priests and bishops in the early church. The Celtic tradition provides stories of St. Brigit's ordination as bishop by Mel, St. Patrick's nephew. We know that St. Brigit established a mixed community of women and men in Kildare. These monastic communities were inhabitated by women and men dedicated to Christ, some of whom were married with children .There are even stories of women celebrating Mass. In the sixth century, Rome wrote a letter protesting the Celtic practice of permitting women to preside at the Eucharist. In the workshop we reclaim wisdom figures from ancient Celtic tradition to guide us through our chaotic times of upheaval and war to rediscover a path toward justice-seeking, peace-making, hospitality to people on the margins, environmental healing, and partnership and equality between women and men.

Prayer Therapies for Healing and Spiritual Growth : 5 New Programs/Retreats/Workshops for 2002-2003

A Promise of Presence
This program invites you to step over the threshold of your present surroundings and enter the brillance of God's abiding presence. Here is a sample of a prayer therapy from this program/retreat. "Practice mindful breathing as you experience God's presence all around you. As you rest in God, contemplate the Compassionate One who does not condemn you, but who affirms you, heals you, renews you. Respond to the divine whispers in your souls, discover God's infinite, boundless love, surrender to God any worry or concern. Be aware that your body is one of God's favorite dwelling places. Place yourself before Spirit-Wisdom with open hands. Listen as God speaks in the depths of your heart."This program is based on A Promise of Presence by Bridget Mary Meehan and Regina Madonna Oliver.

The Healing Power of Prayer
Just as there are all types of people and a multitude of pains that need healing there are many ways to pray and find healing through prayer. Whether it is the gospel story of Jesus healing a person who is crippled or the modern-day healing of a troubled heart, healing can be a faith-filled event that changes lives and works wonders. In this program/retreat based on her best-selling book The Healing Power of Prayer, Dr. Bridget Mary Meehan guides you through simple, powerful, prayer therapies for healing and spiritual growth that can change your life. Explore new pathways to inner healing through prayer: Healing of Memories Prayer, Forgiveness Prayer, Relaxation Prayer, Centering Prayer, Scripture Prayer, Prayers for Healing Families, Races, Nations, Religions, Earth.

Affirmations from Heart of God
Are you feeling overwhelmed by life's negative and critical messages? Unaccepted by the people in your life? If so, this program based on Affirmations from the Heart of God will open you up to a whole new joyful way of living. By means of the prayer therapies, directed meditations, and scriptural affirmations in this program, you will begin to understand that you are a created reflection of Divine Love. You will recognize that God's love for you is beyond imagining. And you will replace harmful thoughts and self-opinions with positive, life-giving messages, discovering within yourself Divine Wisdom that will heal, liberate, and transform your life forever. In God's affirming love, all things are possible! All you have to do is open your heart to your affirming God.

Praying with a Passionate Heart
To pray with a passionate heart means learning to feel, think, and experience with our whole being all that life is. It means using our imagination, feelings, and thoughts to open ourselves to the divine touch in our souls. Using prayer therapies, directed meditations and scriptural illuminations, this program encourages you not only to "tune in" to God but also to "fall in love " with God. By doing so, you will begin to experience a deeper intimacy with God and with others while you learn to live joyfully each day, share openly with God, ask forgiveness, let go of fear, and commune with prayer companions. Inject passion, creativity into your life with this program/retreat based on the inspiring Praying with a Passionate Heart by Bridget Mary Meehan and Regina Madonna Oliver.

God Delights in You
In this program,/retreat based on her book, God Delights in You, Dr. Bridget Mary Meehan reflects on discovering infinite love, encountering boundless mercy, experiencing deep healing and living empowerment. This program invites you to discover the power of God's love and challenges you to be a contemporary mystic in the real world. It offers creative suggestions and practical ways to contemplate the God who delights in you. It is ideal for small faith communities who want to enter into, experience and share God's transforming love with others.

Dance Across the Threshold

In this threshold time of transition a new paradigm is unfolding. We are reclaiming wisdom figures from ancient cultures to guide us through chaotic times of change and transformation. In the Celtic tradition, Celtic holy women from the fifth century, ignored by a patriarchal church for centuries, are being rediscovered by twenty-first century justice-seekers interested in the divine feminine, the healing of the planet, women as equals and leaders, hospitality and compassion to people on the margins of society.
Painting by Gail Donovan - "Firewoman Rising".
www.gaildonovan.com

Brigit of Kildare: Ablaze with God's Womb Compassion

In this program

- We will share stories, folklore, and myths about St. Brigit who founded a double monastery of women and men in Kildare, Ireland in the 5th century.

- According to Cogitosus' Life of Brigit, the legendary abbess was remembered for her faith, healing powers, love for creation, hospitality, generosity, and compassion to people who were in need.

- Although there are few historical facts about St. Brigit, some commentators believe that Brigit heard confessions, celebrated Mass and ordained clergy.

- We will share ancient prayers and rituals that celebrate the spirit of Brigit of Kildare, woman of the earth, advocate of justice, model of partnership and equality, "anam cara", or spiritual guide in our midst.