Bring Christ into the World: Giving Birth to God
Summer ONLINE Retreat – June 28 and July 26, 2025“What does it avail me that this birth is always happening, if it does not happen in me? That it should happen in me is what matters.”
~ St. Augustine
Bring Christ into the World
How do we do that, continue to bring Christ to birth in our world? During this two-part retreat, Sr. Cheryl Clemons, OSU, Ph.D., an Ursuline Sister of Mount Saint Joseph and long-time retreat director and WVIS spiritual director, will invite retreatants on a journey to understand concretely how we can do this today.
Mary is the model of faith. What she did, each of us is also called upon to do, namely, bring Christ into the world, give birth to God in our lives. But for God to take on real flesh and power in the world, we must first do something. What? The answer lies in the way Jesus was born.
Over 20 years ago, Fr. Ron Rolheiser, OMI, pointed out a four-fold pattern::
Impregnation by the Holy Spirit. Having just celebrated Pentecost, how do I today respond to the Spirit and cooperate in bringing God into my daily life?
Gestation of God within one’s body. Holiness, the life of God within, doesn’t happen automatically. How do I nurture the gift of grace the Spirit imparts? What might I do to support the divine life within me?
The agony of giving birth. How do I accept the sacrifice and pain of being Christian in the world today, of inviting Jesus into my family, my work, my leisure, my prayer?
Nurturing an infant into adulthood. How do I continue to nourish and support the Christ-life that has emerged in my life? What positive practices might strengthen my initial resolve to bring Christ to the world? Are there negative attitudes, actions, or obstacles that impede my spiritual growth?
This ONLINE retreat is offered by WVIS Executive Director, Sr. Cheryl Clemons, O.S.U., Ph.D. Please sign up now for one or both days of this retreat (9 a.m. – 1 p.m. CDT / 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. EST) that will include presentations, times of silent prayer and reflection, and small group sharing. Suggestions will be offered for finding and/or sharing with a spiritual guide/companion (if desired) to process and unpack what the Holy Spirit reveals to you during the retreat.
Dates: Saturday, June 28, 2025 (Parts I and II) and Saturday, July 26, 2025 (Parts III and IV)
Donation: The requested donation for this retreat is $50 (includes both days). Partial scholarships are available by emailing exec.director@wvis.org.
Registration Deadline: June 20, 2025
Questions: email Sr. Cheryl Clemons, cheryl.clemons@maplemount.org or call (270) 244-0394.
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