A SABBATICAL JOURNEY IN THE SOUTHWEST
Albuquerque, New Mexico

Rationale
Midlife and beyond continues to inwardly beckon us to become more and more who we are called to be. It is an invitation to rediscover our true identity as individual persons, Christians and as Religious Ministers. It is a summons to enter into the core of our being for personal and cosmic transformation.

The six-week program offers participants the time, the space and the guidance to step back from their ordinary chronos activities into the kairos moment of the Sabbath. This special time is an invitation to take that long, loving look in thanksgiving for one’s life and ministry to embrace our present and to look with hope to all that is yet to come.

Dates
 
September 16 - October 31, 2011

May 11 - June 25, 2012

September 14 - October 29, 2012

Program Components
The nature and design of the program affords participants time to care for their own physical and spiritual health through a holistic approach that honors balance in the day-to-day components of the six-week sabbatical.

Input Sessions
Please note that not all of these programs will be available at each session and are subject to change. Additionally, input sessions are typically Monday through Friday in the morning with the afternoons being free for process, reading and reflection. There will also be one desert day somewhere in between.

“The Body at Prayer”
T’ai Chi Chih is a moving meditation; it is the body at prayer. It consists of twenty simple movements that are easily learned. T’ai Chi Chih activates, circulates and balances the chi, the life force. Many who practice T’ai Chi Chih report remarkable improvements in their physical health and their mental well-being. This session will give participants a chance to move and rest as they learn and practice awareness that they can bring into the remainder of their sabbatical experience.

“Journaling and Dreams for Spiritual Growth”
Dreams and the inner life, will explore various ways dreams “speak” to us and “show” us what may be happening within and how, in some ways, dreams may actually present us with the landscape of the soul. Some basic material on Carl Jung will provide a backdrop for approaching our dreams and their symbology; at the same time, we will explore ways of “looking at” our dreams as often confusing “pictures” ... and yet, when paid attention, they might reveal something of our own story

“Beyond the biography of Jesus: the journey of Quadratos”
The four Gospels are a universal telling of the spiritual journey. Each of the four historical communities that birthed the Gospel, wrestled with a question about God's self-disclosure - Jesus, the Christ. Each Gospel is that community's prayer and spiritual practice. The session will explore each Gospel as a spiritual movement - true yesterday, today and tomorrow.

"Embracing Life's Transitions"
Everyone experiences life's losses: death of a loved one, job loss, children leaving home, divorcee, loss of a pet or a precious possession, etc. Life with its many losses takes on meaning only through reflection on experience. This session will help us reflect on the losses in our lives, learn how loss affects spirituality and how spirituality can help during this time of grieving. Through a blending of story, prayer, presentations, creative quiet reflection and some sharing, we will find ways of moving through this transition to meet life's challenges with grace and courage.

“Living with Balance and Harmony”
This will be a morning of reflection and sharing as to what is essential to maintain a balance in our everyday living. How do we have harmony with body, mind and spirit? What practices are particularly helpful for each person?

“Praying and Living from the Heart”
During these days, the well-know work of the Interior Castle - St. Teresa of Avila, will lead us to appreciate this spiritual classic and the wisdom and insights of this doctor of the church.

“Spirituality of Right Relationships”
God-Neighbor-Self, the three points of balance for proper relationships. Reflections on what it means to be created in the image and likeness of God and what it means to be part of fallen creation. Reflections on our co-dignity as children of God and as brothers and sisters in Christ. Reflections on returning to our Source as the Body of Christ.

Prayer
Prayer is integral to the process of transformation. Participants will have the opportunity for:

• Daily personal prayer
• Morning prayer in common
• Eucharist each day. On Sundays participants are invited to celebrate Liturgy in one of our local parishes to experience the Church in New Mexico.
• Occasional desert days of silence.
• Week long silent, directed retreat
• Weekly spiritual direction and daily during the retreat
• Weekly faith sharing group

Community Experience
While there exists varied definitions and experiences of community life, a communal experience within the sabbatical is realized through small group sharing and activities, informal social gatherings, a minimal amount of light housework to foster a greater sense of belonging, recreational activities of a certain historical, cultural nature, as well as personal dialogues and sharing with other participants.

Other Activities
Massage: A certified massage therapist is available to participants who wish. Cost per session: $40 USD

Art: Supplies will be available for those who have an artistic knack or those who just like to “doodle” with watercolor or acrylic paints, clay molding, etc.

T'ai Chi: For those who wish, each morning at 7 am there will be an opportunity for the practice of T'ai Chi.

Wellness Room: There is a small fitness room with some exercise machines available.

Liturgy Group: for participants who wish to help plan and prepare special liturgies and prayer services.

Computer Access: is available for e-mail and Internet access and Microsoft Office.

Special Features at our Center

• Desert prayer gardens for reading and meditation
• A labyrinth and a walking path for contemplative meditation
• Small meditation chapel

Personal Expenses
The cost of the Sabbatical Program for six weeks is $4,200 USD. This covers the program fee and basic living expenses. Not included in this fee are the various expenses incurred for medication, postage, long distance telephone calls, recreational activities, entrance fees to museums and places of interest, gas for trips, overnight stays on trips

Post-Sabbatical Experience
For those who wish, the Canossian Spirituality Center is offering an extended time of no more than 2 weeks for participants who wish to further reflect on the sabbatical experience, continue with spiritual direction and have a transitional bridge prior to returning to community and ministry. The daily rate with all meals included, whether you are present or not, is $50.00.

What other participants have said about our program:
"The Canossian Spirituality Center offers to anyone who comes to the Sabbatical program beauty, peace and quiet hospitality and friendliness, personal space, time for input, interaction and quiet prayer in various formats, simple, beautiful prayer space and excellent presenters."

"... an opportunity to experience your inner self in a creative and non-threatening manner ..."

"A lovely center with beautiful gardens, healthy meals, inspiring presentations, daily Eucharist and quiet time for prayer, rest and integration."

"The choice of the topics for each session and the presenters were great!"

"The holistic format and the wonderful hospitality is what I liked most."

"Every aspect of our person was gently addressed, challenged out of its comfortableness, and sent forth with new hope and enthusiasm."

"I arrived very tired and grieving many losses in my life. Now I leave much more rested and healed as I continue my journey."

"I came to Albuquerque and the Canossian Spirituality Center because I knew instinctively that the desert would be a place for me to grow in freedom and also felt it would help me re-focus myself in the totally unconditional love of God ... This experience of Sabbath really answered my longing and my searching and I return to ministry refreshed and renewed."

To download the application documentation for the Sabbatical, click here.

To download the letter of recommendation form for the Sabbatical, click here.

To download the letter of medical certification form for the Sabbatical, click here.