Ever wonder what ‘prophet training’ might include? Franciscan Sister of Christian Charity Sister Mary Ann Spanjers, OSF, eye-witnessed a Busy Student Retreat, January 31-February 4, 2010 at the Newman University Parish at the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point entitled: Listening to Prophets. Becoming Prophets.
Wendy Mitch, Deb McComas and Father Tom Linder, pastoral leaders, planned the theme and organized the retreat with the help of countless others including Dominican preacher, Fr. Brian Walker, OP who addressed these topics:
- I Have Formed You From the Womb To Be Something Special-The New Prophet.
- How Do I React to Violence Directed Toward Me or People I Love?
- Do I Understand the Suffering of Others? Do I Ever See Myself In Their Place?
- Hearing the Prophet, Becoming a Prophet in Celebrating the Eucharist.
- One Day All of Us Shall Do the Way of All Flesh! Until That Time, There is a Mission for Each of Us.
Add to these strongly delivered words an intensive, holistic week of:
- daily Eucharist
- opportunities for the Sacrament of Reconciliation
- a half-hour of individual uninterrupted quiet prayer
- journaling
- evening prayer service
- honest, open conversations with retreat directors representing various religious communities.
Religious spending time with the young adults included Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, La Crosse, WI, American Province of the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis, Springfield, OH, Jesuits: Society of Jesus, Midwest Province; Franciscan Friars Assumption BVM Province; Norbertines of St. Norbert Abbey; Dominican Order of Preachers, Minneapolis; Sisters of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis and of course, the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity.
Community-building among the students and all off-campus visitors was also an important part of the days spent together.
What would you include in ‘prophet training’?
