Dear Friends of Nazareth Retreat Center,Here we are in the middle of July and I wonder where the summer has gone. Many persons have suffered greatly these days from tornadoes and flooding, earthquakes and wildfires. Now we are suffering in many parts of the U.S. from severe heat. As I walk the beautiful grounds of Nazareth, I hold in my heart the lands and people who are suffering from this imbalance of nature and wonder, what are we doing? Ecology, care for the earth is no longer a project for a few. It is now an urgency for all of us. I take time each day to see what can I do? Surely attention to government action is imperative. Let our elected officials know of our concerns. But what else? There are so many little ways in our daily lives that we can care for the earth. Can we make once less trip in the car? Can we drive cars that are environmentally friendly? Am I recycling, using less, lightening my footprint on Mother Earth? I think each of us is called to heighten our awareness and decide to take action in our own way to "care for the earth."
So my question is, are you stopping to smell the roses? Are you aware of the sacred earth which gives us these roses? Do you care enough to take action? Are you willing to stop for just a moment and reflect on this call to care?
Here at the Nazareth Retreat Center we have many people coming to join us for a contemplative time apart. It is so wonderful for us to welcome individuals from diverse walks of life, diverse ethnic and religioius backgrounds and from various parts of the country. This reality speaks of the inner need and longing within all of us to be in touch with our deeper sense of self and our awareness of our relationship with one another and with all of creation. We are part of the web of God's creative act of love, God's continuing unfolding act of love through creation. We at Nazareth reverence that web of creation and desire to nurture this sacred web particularly thorugh sharing our lives and prayers with those who come to this sacred ground of Nazareth.
We invite you to come to Nazareth.....to stop and smell the roses.
We are preparing our calendar of retreats for the coming year 2011 - 2012 and will be posting this soon on our web page. During the coming year the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth will be celebrating 200 years of our foundation in 1812. To help celebrate that legacy of service we will offer some retreats that are specifically around some of the women and events of the SCNs. We welcome all of our friends to these retreats. In addition we are welcoming back in September Elene Loecher who will offer a weekend based on twelve step spirituality. Paula D'Arcy will join us once again in April. It is always a special time to have this internationally known author and presenter share her insights and depth of spirituality with us. These are just some of the highlights for this coming year. As always we welcome individuals for private and directed retreats throughout the year.
It is our delgiht to offer you our hospitality here at Nazareth Retreat Center and to walk with you as you accept God's invitaiton to be, be more fully in the web of life.
Come and smell the roses.
Sharon Gray, SCN
Director
Nazareth Retreat Center
