Below are all the programs/workshops currently offered by the Sisters of St. Benedict.
Saturday Morning at the Dome
August 21, 2010
Topic: Managing Your Stress
Stress is with us all the time. It adds challenges and opportunities to our lives.
However, too much stress can seriously affect our physical, emotional, and spiritual
well being. Since stress is unique and personal, it is good to learn to recognize what the
symptoms of negative stress are in your life and to explore and experience ways to use
your stress for positive results. Discover what it means to manage your stress before it
manages you.
Presenter: Sister Jane Will, OSB, is a licensed clinical psychologist. She is also a spiritual director and is trained in religious formation and education. She is currently
subprioress for the Sisters of St. Benedict of Ferdinand.
A breakfast snack will be available at 9 a.m.
Programs will begin at 9:15 a.m. and conclude with a light lunch at 12:15 p.m. (Program held at Kordes Center)
Come early and join the sisters for Morning Prayer at 8 and Mass at 8:30 a.m.
Stay later and enjoy the peace and beauty of the monastery grounds and visit the gift shop.
Registration deadline for this program is August 18, 2010.
Cost: $45 (Includes program, morning snack, lunch, and applicable taxes.)
Includes all applicable taxes.
Compassionate Healing
August 28, 2010
8:30 a.m. check-in time. Program runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Program held at Kordes Center)
Learn to be a compassionate presence in a world that pulls us in many directions. Topics
will include healing in Scripture and in the Benedictine tradition, tracing the heritage of
healing, and practicing compassionate healing.
Sister Michelle Mohr, OSB, has many years of experience in liturgy, music,
retreat work, healing and spirituality workshops, and parish ministry. She currently serves
as a music minister and director of special liturgy projects at the Ferdinand monastery.
Sister Anita Louise Lowe, OSB, is a music minister and director of liturgy
for the Sisters of St. Benedict of Ferdinand. She is pursuing a master’s degree in
theology with a concentration in liturgical studies at the University of Notre Dame. She
has presented workshops on topics such as balance in life, stress, prayer, Benedictine
spirituality, and healing.
Cost: $65
Includes all applicable taxes.
Directed Retreat
September 10 - 17, 2010
Check-in begins at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, September 10. Programs runs from 7 p.m. September 10 to 1 p.m. September 17. (Program held at Kordes Center)
The Directed Retreat provides you with an opportunity to focus on your relationship with
God, especially your experience of God in prayer and in life’s events. You will have the
opportunity to meet daily with a spiritual director.
A team of spiritual directors will facilitate this silent retreat.
Cost: $550
Includes all applicable taxes.
Saturday Morning at the Dome
September 18, 2010
Topic: Listening and Responding to the Wisdom of Your Body
Our bodies often know the issues to which we need to pay attention before our intellect does. Learn several methods to listen to the wisdom of your body and discover areas
of potential growth. Then, explore ways to respond to the needs of your body and to
integrate body, mind, and spirit so that you may find wholeness in life.
Presenter: Sister Anita Louise Lowe, OSB, is a music minister and director of liturgy
for the Sisters of St. Benedict of Ferdinand. She is pursuing a master’s degree in
theology with a concentration in liturgical studies at the University of Notre Dame. She
has presented workshops on topics such as balance in life, stress, prayer, Benedictine
spirituality, and healing.
Sister Teresa Gunter, OSB, serves as youth minister at St. Anthony Parish in Evansville.
She has been involved in teaching and youth ministry for nearly 20 years. She attended
Advanced Massage Therapy School in Louisville in 2007-2008 and appreciates the
healing effects that massage has on individuals.
A breakfast snack will be available at 9 a.m.
Programs will begin at 9:15 a.m. and conclude with a light lunch at 12:15 p.m. (Program held at Kordes Center)
Come early and join the sisters for Morning Prayer at 8 and Mass at 8:30 a.m.
Stay later and enjoy the peace and beauty of the monastery grounds and visit the gift shop.
Registration deadline for this program is September 15, 2010.
Cost: $45 (Includes program, morning snack, lunch, and applicable taxes.)
Includes all applicable taxes.
Saturday Morning at the Dome
October 16, 2010
Topic: Inner Peace: Staying Sane Amidst Turmoil
St. Benedict described a way of life that was rooted in reality with a constant focus on
seeking God. Explore the wisdom of the Rule of Benedict and learn how to put on the
mindset of moderation, balance, and peace. We will offer concrete tools for integrating
Gospel values – a framework for personal reflection and a way to take small but
significant steps toward a more peaceful life. The morning will include lecture with time
for reflection and sharing and time to walk or sit quietly with the concepts presented. This
workshop is for those who earnestly seek to live a more integrated life.
Presenter: Sister Barbara Lynn Schmitz, OSB, is currently director of Mission
Advancement for the Sisters of St. Benedict of Ferdinand. She served as a pastoral
associate in Evansville prior to this position. She has a master’s degree in business
administration from the University of Notre Dame and a certification in pastoral ministry.
A breakfast snack will be available at 9 a.m.
Programs will begin at 9:15 a.m. and conclude with a light lunch at 12:15 p.m. (Program held at Kordes Center)
Come early and join the sisters for Morning Prayer at 8 and Mass at 8:30 a.m.
Stay later and enjoy the peace and beauty of the monastery grounds and visit the gift shop.
Registration deadline for this program is October 13, 2010.
Cost: $45 (Includes program, morning snack, lunch, and applicable taxes.)
Includes all applicable taxes.
Mom's and Dad's Family Spirituality
October 9, 2010
9 a.m. check-in time. Program runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Program held at Kordes Center)
Did you know that your family is holy? That making PB and J sandwiches is “feeding the
hungry”? That blessing your child is your right and privilege? And that helping your child
learn is a spiritual work of mercy? Frequently, busy families say they do not have enough
time to pray – much less go to church. And they certainly do not think of their family
as holy – not with all the problems and disappointments. What they do not recognize
is that their family life is prayer and their home a domestic church. This long-standing
teaching of the Catholic Church is rarely heard, yet it is at the heart of our Judeo-
Christian heritage. Program participants will discover the roots of their own sacredness
and become more aware of simple things such as the three examples above. They will
learn the basis for a family spirituality. And they will have time for personal reflection and
group interaction. The workshop is designed for parents, including single parents, and for
anyone who ministers with families, e.g., directors of religious education, youth ministers,
and teachers.
Barbara McDonald is the creator and lead facilitator of Mustard Seeds
workshops and retreats. She has over 20 years of experience in marriage and family
ministry. She is a past executive director of the Center for Family Ministries in the
Archdiocese of Louisville and past president of National Association of Catholic Family
Life Ministers (NACFLM). She has a master’s degree with a concentration in family
systems. She is a certified trainer for NACFLM Family Ministry Leadership Institute and
is also certified in Meyers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) testing.
Cost: $65
Includes all applicable taxes.
Centering Prayer
November 6, 2010
9 a.m. check-in time. Program runs from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (Program held at Kordes Center)
Centering Prayer is a quiet, reflective prayer form grounded in the Christian tradition.
It is a way of praying based on the wisdom saying of Jesus in the Sermon on the
Mount: “When you pray, go to your inner room, close the door and pray to your Father
in secret. And your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you.” (Mt. 6:6) Centering
Prayer prepares our faculties to receive the gift of contemplative prayer. This workshop
will provide a brief explanation of the method of Centering Prayer and an opportunity to
practice this way of praying.
Sister Maria Tasto, OSB, currently serves as program director of the
Spirituality Ministry of the Sisters of St. Benedict of Ferdinand and as a spiritual director.
She is a certified presenter of Centering Prayer and has facilitated many Centering
Prayer retreats and programs nationally and internationally.
Cost: $65
Includes all applicable taxes.
Saturday Morning at the Dome
November 13, 2010
Topic: Art and Soul: Art as a Prayer Form
Have you ever marveled at the beauty of God’s creation? The world around us can
cause us to stand in awe of God’s wonderful works. God’s creativity, which we witness
everyday, invites us to use our own God-given creativity. This experiential workshop will
focus on answering God’s call to be creative through the use of visual art. Participants
will learn, discuss, and practice ways to strengthen their relationship with God through
art. This workshop is designed for artists and non-artists. The only requirement is a
desire to deepen one’s relationship with God. Materials will be provided. Comfortable
dress is recommended.
Presenter: Sister Briana Elisabeth Craddock, OSB, has a master’s degree in mental
health counseling from the University of Louisville and is a licensed professional
counseling associate in Kentucky. She is currently employed as a school-based therapist
for Seven Counties Services in Jefferson County, Kentucky. She has also worked as an
art and religion teacher and librarian at Resurrection School in Evansville. She regularly
uses the visual arts as a prayer form.
A breakfast snack will be available at 9 a.m.
Programs will begin at 9:15 a.m. and conclude with a light lunch at 12:15 p.m. (Program held at Kordes Center)
Come early and join the sisters for Morning Prayer at 8 and Mass at 8:30 a.m.
Stay later and enjoy the peace and beauty of the monastery grounds and visit the gift shop.
Registration deadline for this program is November 10, 2010.
Cost: $45 (Includes program, morning snack, lunch, and applicable taxes.)
Includes all applicable taxes.
Saturday Morning at the Dome
January 15, 2011
Topic: Grieving Our Losses
Loss comes in many forms – the death of a loved one, life-threatening illness, separation
or divorce, an accident, unemployment, and the list goes on. In a loss, we feel something
has been taken from us, and grief is our reaction and response. In this workshop we will
explore ways to neither minimize nor maximize loss, but to see it as a journey and grief
as a process.
Presenter: Sister Kathryn Huber, OSB, is a team member of the Spirituality Ministry of the
Sisters of St. Benedict of Ferdinand. She is a spiritual director, leads retreats and workshops,
and is involved globally with women Benedictine communities. She holds graduate degrees in
spirituality and education, including a study semester in the Holy Land. Previously she served
as federation president, prioress, retreat minister, principal, and teacher.
A breakfast snack will be available at 9 a.m.
Programs will begin at 9:15 a.m. and conclude with a light lunch at 12:15 p.m. (Program held at Kordes Center)
Come early and join the sisters for Morning Prayer at 8 and Mass at 8:30 a.m.
Stay later and enjoy the peace and beauty of the monastery grounds and visit the gift shop.
Registration deadline for this program is January 12, 2011.
Cost: $45 (Includes program, morning snack, lunch, and applicable taxes.)
Includes all applicable taxes.
Saturday Morning at the Dome
February 19, 2011
Topic: Marriage as a Process
What did you pack for your marriage journey? Marriage is a process, and the day you
say “I do” is only the beginning of that life-long process. You are always becoming
married. Explore some of the attitudes, beliefs, and assumptions you “packed” to take
with you on your journey of marriage. These may be obvious to you but totally unknown
to your spouse and may create unclear expectations in your marriage. The workshop is
for married and engaged couples. It will include presentation of family of origin, Meyers-
Briggs Type Indicator material, individual and couple reflection, and group interaction
when appropriate.
Presenter: Barbara McDonald is the creator and lead facilitator of Mustard Seeds
workshops and retreats. She has over 20 years of experience in marriage and family
ministry. She is a past executive director of the Center for Family Ministries in the
Archdiocese of Louisville and past president of National Association of Catholic Family
Life Ministers (NACFLM). She has a master’s degree with a concentration in family
systems. She is a certified trainer for NACFLM Family Ministry Leadership Institute and
is also certified in Meyers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) testing.
A breakfast snack will be available at 9 a.m.
Programs will begin at 9:15 a.m. and conclude with a light lunch at 12:15 p.m. (Program held at Kordes Center)
Come early and join the sisters for Morning Prayer at 8 and Mass at 8:30 a.m.
Stay later and enjoy the peace and beauty of the monastery grounds and visit the gift shop.
Registration deadline for this program is February 16, 2011.
Cost: $45 (Includes program, morning snack, lunch, and applicable taxes.)
Includes all applicable taxes.
Compassionate Healing
February 21, 2011
8:30 a.m. check-in time. Program runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Program held at Kordes Center)
Learn to be a compassionate presence in a world that pulls us in many directions. Topics
will include healing in Scripture and in the Benedictine tradition, tracing the heritage of
healing, and practicing compassionate healing.
Sister Michelle Mohr, OSB, has many years of experience in liturgy, music,
retreat work, healing and spirituality workshops, and parish ministry. She currently serves
as a music minister and director of special liturgy projects at the Ferdinand monastery.
Sister Anita Louise Lowe, OSB, is a music minister and director of liturgy
for the Sisters of St. Benedict of Ferdinand. She is pursuing a master’s degree in
theology with a concentration in liturgical studies at the University of Notre Dame. She
has presented workshops on topics such as balance in life, stress, prayer, Benedictine
spirituality, and healing.
Cost: $65
Includes all applicable taxes.
Sunday Eucharist: Why We Do What We Do
February 26, 2011
9 a.m. check-in time. Program runs from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (Program held at Kordes Center)
Each Sunday, Catholics gather to celebrate the Mass. What really happens in that
gathering? Have you ever wondered about the history of the different parts of the
Mass? During this retreat, we will look at the various parts of the Mass, searching
to unfold their meaning for us today so that our participation in the Mass can
deepen. Throughout the day, there will be opportunities for input, reflection, sharing, and
discussion. Discover the richness of the liturgy and allow the Mass to nourish your spirit.
Sister Anita Louise Lowe, OSB, is a music minister and director of liturgy
for the Sisters of St. Benedict of Ferdinand. She is pursuing a master’s degree in
theology with a concentration in liturgical studies at the University of Notre Dame. She
has presented workshops on topics such as balance in life, stress, prayer, Benedictine
spirituality, and healing.
Cost: $65
Includes all applicable taxes.
Saturday Morning at the Dome
March 19, 2011
Topic: Holy? Me? Nourishing Our Relationship with God Through Prayer
Do you desire a deeper and closer friendship with God? Do you realize that God longs
to have a close relationship with you? Prayer is the natural result of a person’s belief
in God, and prayer leads one to a life of wholeness and holiness. In this retreat we will
focus on personal prayer as a way of deepening our relationship with God, with self, with
one another, and with all creation.
Presenter: Sister Kathryn Huber, OSB, is a team member of the Spirituality Ministry of the
Sisters of St. Benedict of Ferdinand. She is a spiritual director, leads retreats and workshops,
and is involved globally with women Benedictine communities. She holds graduate degrees in
spirituality and education, including a study semester in the Holy Land. Previously she served
as federation president, prioress, retreat minister, principal, and teacher.
A breakfast snack will be available at 9 a.m.
Programs will begin at 9:15 a.m. and conclude with a light lunch at 12:15 p.m. (Program held at Kordes Center)
Come early and join the sisters for Morning Prayer at 8 and Mass at 8:30 a.m.
Stay later and enjoy the peace and beauty of the monastery grounds and visit the gift shop.
Registration deadline for this program is March 16, 2011.
Cost: $45 (Includes program, morning snack, lunch, and applicable taxes.)
Includes all applicable taxes.
Staying at the Table: Being Faithful Amidst Difficulties
April 9, 2011
9 a.m. check-in time. Program runs from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (Program held at Kordes Center)
Amidst the economic woes, political madness, dangerous social tensions, and betrayals
of all kinds, how do we support each other’s sanity, in family and in community? Looking
at the image of the Last Supper, we learn from Jesus about the true nature of faithfulness
and the value of “staying at table.” This retreat will include input, quiet time for reflection,
and optional sharing.
Sister Karen Joseph, OSB, has served in community leadership roles in her
Benedictine community for many years and has been involved in committees on the
international level within the Benedictine Order. She has given retreats and workshops
in Benedictine spirituality throughout North America. She is currently working in the
Spirituality Ministry of the Sisters of St. Benedict of Ferdinand.
Cost: $65
Includes all applicable taxes.
Saturday Morning at the Dome
April 16, 2011
Topic: Reflections on the Mysteries of the Rosary
Have you ever taken a journey through the Mysteries of the Rosary? Meditating on
each mystery can be an enriching and rewarding experience – an experience of lectio,
a slow, contemplative reading. During this program on the Saturday before Holy Week,
we will pray about and meditate on the Sorrowful Mysteries. Using this meditation
practice whenever you pray the Rosary can enrich your spiritual life and enable you to
enter more deeply into the liturgy of each feast during the Church year.
Presenter: Sister Madonna Helmer, OSB, has been a member of the Sisters of St.
Benedict for 54 years. She is a music teacher and accompanist and has a master’s
degree in music from Catholic University of America.
A breakfast snack will be available at 9 a.m.
Programs will begin at 9:15 a.m. and conclude with a light lunch at 12:15 p.m. (Program held at Kordes Center)
Come early and join the sisters for Morning Prayer at 8 and Mass at 8:30 a.m.
Stay later and enjoy the peace and beauty of the monastery grounds and visit the gift shop.
Registration deadline for this program is March 16, 2011.
Cost: $45 (Includes program, morning snack, lunch, and applicable taxes.)