|
|
|
|
|
July 2009
"Summer at The Spiritual Life Center"
Dear friends in Christ,
The month of June was a special time of grace and blessing as we welcomed priests from the Wichita, Dodge City and Salina dioceses as well as Consecrated Religious from throughout the Midwest who came on retreat. We also welcomed a large group for a weekend retreat for the laity. These retreats make the Spiritual Life Center come alive as a place of prayer. We also have been happy to welcome the seminarians of the Diocese of Wichita who are gathering each Friday evening during the summer for prayer, food and formation. All this activity has been great for the Center, keeping our kitchen and housekeeping staff very busy indeed. I wish to thank all our staff as a well as our wonderful volunteers who create a welcoming environment for all our guests.
If you visit the Center during July, you will likely be aware of some changes taking place as we undertake a renovation project impacting our administrative office area as well as the Second Floor Assembly Room. I invite you to read about these changes (see article below). Please pardon any inconvenience this progress may cause, which should be minimal.
Finally, I invite you to take time to browse our Calendar of Events page where you will find a number of offerings in the months ahead. There is still time to take a summer retreat—whether it is an Individually Directed Retreat (beginning July 12), or a weekend with Fr. John Lanzrath entitled “Come, Creator Spirit: A Breath of Rest,” (August 14-16). Our very busy fall schedule is just around the corner beginning in September with our newly revamped Religious Studies Program offering and a course on Catechetics.
For some, summer is a time of rest. For others, it is a busy time of family, traveling and vacations. Whatever sort of summer you are having, may God be with you. Please know that we stand ready to serve you as our guest.
In Christ,
Rev. Kent Hemberger, Director |
|
|
Many of you know the Spiritual Life Center to be a place for retreats, adult education programs and other Catholic events. But you may not know that the Center serves as host for a wide variety of groups and functions. Here is a short list of our guests for the month of June, followed by some of the groups and events we will host during July. It is our hope you will suggest the Center as an event destination for church and other non-profit groups and organizations you may know about.
Some of the Spiritual Life Center guests in June included: "Good Leaders, Good Shepherds,” priests of the Diocese of Wichita, Diocesan Office of Vocations Seminarian Dinners, Priests from the Dioceses of Dodge City and Salina, Serra Club, Mental Health Association, Kansas Council of Genealogical Societies, Preached Retreat for Sisters, Preached Retreat for Priests, Blessed Sacrament Parish Leadership Retreat, Beginning Experience, Coping, 12-Step Program, Cursillo, and many others!
Some of the Spiritual Life Center guests we expect in July include: Kansas Public Health Leadership Institute, “Good Leaders, Good Shepherds,” priests of the Diocese of Wichita, Crossroads Church, Serra Club, Saints Alive After 55, Seminarians from the Diocese of Wichita, and many others! |
|
We have been planning renovations to different areas of the Center for some time, and now they are underway.
The use of the Center has changed significantly since it first opened nearly 19 years ago, and the renovation project reflects our efforts to better serve our guests.
The Second Floor Assembly room is a good example. It was originally designed for use as an extra conference room that would be used only during a few of our busiest times.
Today, it is used almost every weekend and frequently during the week. The renovation will add a window, new lighting and new audio-visual capabilities.
Changes are also being made to the administrative area to address rest room inefficiencies, expand the Book Store (which will be closed during this time) and provide greater efficiencies in our offices.
The renovation project is scheduled to be completed by the first week of August and will not impact previously scheduled events.
We sincerely hope you like the changes!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Back by popular demand, we recently installed a new pop machine just outside the Main Assembly Room to compliment the candy and snack machine.
The machine will carry Coca-Cola and Pepsi products—including bottled water. Enjoy!
|
|
|
The Spiritual Life Center community was saddened by the death of Jeanette “Jeanne” Armstrong on June 2, 2009. Jeanne was preceded in death by her wonderful husband Leo († 2005).
Jeanne and Leo loved the Spiritual Life Center and were enthusiastic volunteers of the Center doing whatever was asked of them—answering phones, tending to the Book Store and other tasks.
Upon her death, Jeanne established a memorial to the Spiritual Life Center Book Store. In life and death, Jeanne and Leo lived out the meaning of what it means to be a grateful steward of God’s blessings.
Please remember them both in your prayers.
|
|
|
|
|
|
