Detroit — Speakers from across the country will explore “Franciscan Spirituality for the 21st Century” in a once-a-month series at the Capuchin Retreat in Macomb County, from October through May
“This series will explain and define Franciscan spirituality,” explained Capuchin Fr. Ken Reinhart, executive director of the Washington Township retreat center.
“The crux of Franciscanism is sister/brotherhood. Today’s world would benefit from this philosophy. It’s a timeless message,” he continued.
The series will continue through May, with all sessions held on Saturdays, starting at 1 p.m. and ending at 5 p.m., followed by Mass at 5:15 p.m.
Fr. Reinhart noted that it is the first time for the Capuchin Retreat to offer such an eight-month series. “We do so because of our strong belief that Franciscanism provides the medicine for healing of a troubled world.
“We believe participants will benefit greatly from the series, and it will enable them to deal with the issues they face in their lives, in the Church and in the world,” he added.
The speakers and topics include:
Oct. 1 Fr. Niles Kauffman, OFM Cap., on “The History and Symbolism of the San Damiano Cross.”
Nov. 5 Fr. Bill Cieslak, OFM Cap., on “The ABCs of Franciscan Spirituality.”
Dec. 3 Fr. Bill Cieslak, OFM Cap., on “The Franciscan Understanding of Christmas.
Jan. 7 Fr. Bill Hugo, OFM Cap., on Sister/Brotherhood: The Foundation of Franciscanism.”
Feb. 4
Sr. Joann Schatzlein, OSF, on the “The Role of Clare of Assisi in Franciscan Spirituality.”
March 3 Fr. Jerry Kessel, OFM Cap., on “The Timeliness of St. Francis in Our Day.”
April 14 Fr. Ron Smith, OFM Cap., on “Francis and Healing.”
May 5 Fr. Mike Crosby, OFM Cap., on “What is the House that Needs Repair?”
Fr. Kauffman, the first speaker in the series, is coordinator of formation at the St. Clare Center for Catholic Life at Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee, Wis.
Fr. Cieslak is the former president of the Franciscan School of Theology in Berkeley, Calif., Fr. Hugo is the Capuchin’s Midwest vocation director, and Sr. Schatzlein is a widely known speaker and a member of the leadership team of the Milwaukee-based School Sisters of St. Francis.
Fr. Kessel is on the Capuchin Retreat’s preaching staff and Fr. Smith is a former provincial minister of the Detroit-based Capuchin Province of St. Joseph.
Fr. Crosby is an internationally known speaker and author of several books, and also wrote the positio that led to the Vatican declaring Fr. Solanus Casey venerable.
The cost to attend each session is $35, or $245 for the entire series (which works out to eight sessions for the price of seven).
Advance registration is required, and can be done on-line at www.capretreat.org or by calling (248) 651-4826.
The Capuchin Retreat is situated on 95 acres at 62460 Mount Vernon Road, south of Inwood and near Stony Creek Metropark, in Washington Township.
