Mary Litch

Experiencing Creation as CREATION

This outdoor-focused retreat aims to give participants the experience of God’s presence in the natural world. The retreat journey starts by introducing Franciscan (Catholic) theology, which emphasizes God’s immanence in the world. From there, we use a variety of indoor and outdoor exercises to build an attitude of gratitude for and mindfulness of the natural world, culminating in an outdoor exercise that leads participants to “step into Creation.” On the final retreat day, we use exercises based on Pope Francis’ encyclical on the environment, Laudato Si, to examine the implications of God’s immanence in Creation on our actions.

Zoom gathering: The Wisdom of Wilderness: Experiencing the Healing Power of Nature

Zoom book discussion group. Join us for four consecutive Tuesday evenings (September 1, 8, 15 and 22) from 6-7:30pm Pacific Time for a discussion of Gerald May’s 2007 book The Wisdom of Wilderness: Experiencing the Healing Power of Nature. In this book, May describes his experiences in nature — what he learned about himself as a spiritual being and his relationship with God through solitude in a natural setting. It is hoped that participants in the book discussion series will want to try out camping “alone” in the backcountry for themselves. The first zoom session covers the Forward, Preface, and Chapters 1 and 2. Please read these chapters prior to the zoom meeting. During this first session, we will also cover details and offer advanced registration for the backcountry tent camping retreat. The discussion leader will be Mary Litch. For questions about the book discussion group content, contact the retreat leader at mlitch@stgertrudes.org.

“Pray + Work” Retreat

Join retreat leader Mary Litch for a combination spiritual retreat and work weekend as we put St. Gertrude’s famous raspberry patch “to bed” for the fall. Sessions will alternate between work in the patch, cutting back the raspberry canes, and exercises to help you explore the Mystery of Creation in light of your personal spiritual journey. Indoor exercises include both meditation on brief passages and engaging with the multi-media artwork Passion of the Earth that is installed in the Spirit Center foyer. Outdoor exercises will focus on building gratitude for creation, and experiencing oneself as part of creation. There will be opportunities for group sharing at the end of each day.

Backcountry Tent Camping Retreat

Gerald May’s book Wisdom of Wilderness is a natural lead-in to a backcountry tent camping retreat. We have reservations at Fish Creek Group Site, a very large, forested area with dozens of sites to set up a tent away from the other participants. Far enough away, anyhow, that it will feel like solo tent camping, not group tent camping. Participants will supply their own tent, camp chair, sleeping bag, and ground pad or air mattress, dishes, silverware, travel mug, and potable water. There will be a potluck supper on Friday, September 25. All other meals will be supplied by the leader and will be simple vegetarian fare. A daily menu list will be supplied ahead of time. Participants preferring other food are welcome to bring and prepare meals on their own. There are many hiking opportunities in the area. Participants may join in group hikes, or choose to spend more time in solitude, coming together only for meals.