Winter / Spring 2012 Programs

Download a PDF of our Winter / Spring 2012 program guide.

Book Discussion Group

Where Two or More are Gathered: 

A Tau Center Book Discussion Group

Where Two or More are Gathered book discussion group will meet in Tau Center the first Tuesday of every other month from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. — whenever two or more are gathered! Our first gathering will be Tuesday, February 7. We will explore A Hidden Wholeness: The Journey Toward An Undivided Life by Parker J. Palmer. Each time we meet the group gathered will determined the book to be discussed at the next gathering. This information will be announced on the Tau Center website and in our regular emails. The group will remain open to anyone desiring an opportunity for thoughtful conversation on the selected book and new members will always be welcome. Registration is requested to assist with planning space and preparing discussion questions/resources.

Facilitator:  Tau Center Staff

First meeting: Tuesday, February 7, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.

Future dates: April 3, June 5, August 7. Books to be determined.

Fee: Freewill offering

Holistic Living

Celebrate Spring

Mother Nature invites us to join her in celebrating spring.  Bring your body and your breath, and through some simple practices we will come to a new and deeper experience of the life within us and all around us.  

Facilitator: Mary Ellen McAleese, OSF

Saturday, March 24, 9:45 a.m. to noon

Participants are invited to bring a lunch and stay on the campus until 3:00 p.m. to enjoy some personal time. 

Fee:  $10

Continuing the Essential Oil Journey:
Medicines of the Earth

Essential oils are the life force and life blood of the plant that can help to promote healing physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Our ancestors were experts in using essential oils. Now we have an opportunity to reclaim this wisdom. We can begin to access our genetic predisposition to bond with the Earth and communicate with the plants and trees, gathering the wisdom and gifts they have to share. In this workshop we will explore the oils from the mint family and some Ecuadorean oils.

Facilitator: Therese Yonikus

Monday, May 7, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.

Fee:  $20

Experience Therapeutic Touch

Therapeutic Touch is a contemporary healing modality based on ancient healing practices. It is consciously directed touch that involves an exchange of energy that helps or nudges the healing process of someone in need or suffering. It is also a wonderful healing modality for the maintenance of health. Studies have shown that Therapeutic Touch supports health by alleviating pain and accelerating the healing process. As a result, this discipline is used in a growing numbers of hospitals and palliative care facilities throughout North America.

These sessions will be both teaching and practice, beginning with the foundational principles that guide Therapeutic Touch. Each session includes a short relaxing meditation and hands-on practice.

Facilitator: Dr. Marilyn Johnston-Svoboda

NOTE: This group meets the last Wednesday of each month with the exception of January 2012 when they will meet on January 11

7:00 to 8:30 p.m.

Freewill offering

Honoring Ancient Healing Ways

Each human being is more than a collection of parts. We are holistic beings, integrating body, mind and spirit. This holistic thinking is echoed in the Native American saying, “We are all related.” This simple but powerful statement reflects the wonderful wisdom of our Native American ancestors regarding the need to recognize our holistic connections. These connections are not only with all people in this world, but with the earth, the water, the sky around us. This presentation will discuss how the profound wisdom that Native American ancestors have passed on could help all of us with some of the serious challenges of living in our world today.

Facilitator: Dr. Marilyn Johnston-Svoboda

Wednesday, May 16, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.

Fee: $20

Nutrition for the New Earth

What are the missing pieces we need to create authentic health?  How can we support what the Chinese call the Three Treasures: Jing, Chi, and Shen?  What is the paradigm shift we need to benefit our own health in the present moment and beyond as well as for the generations to come?  In this time together we will explore the contributions of modern sages like Donna Gates, William Davis, M.D., Ron Teeguarden, and Truth Calkins.  These amazing nutritionists reach back to ancient wisdom coupled with scientific research making it available to us now.  We just need to learn from them and make some wise new choices.

Facilitator: Therese Yonikus

Monday, February 13, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.

Fee:  $20

Second Annual Heartsong Wellness Retreat

Join us for a day dedicated to holistic self-care. This retreat will offer you an opportunity to experience a variety of healing modalities in four full one-hour sessions: one individual session and three small group sessions.  Healing modalities you can experience include: healing touch, essential oils, meditation, and movement (belly dancing).  For lunch you can bring a sack lunch or visit the Marianjoy café.  Attendance is limited to the first 20 people who register. This program is offered in collaboration with Heartsong Retreats. 

Saturday, February 11, 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Fee: $75

The fee includes beverages, snacks and all retreat materials. 

If you have questions regarding this retreat day, please call Sally Nutini at 630-248-1420 or Mary Rittmann at 630-372-1628.

Tai Chi Lunch Break

Take some time in the middle of your day to clear your mind and activate your energy.  Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese practice that promotes vitality, structural balance, strength, and longevity. We will use specific breathing techniques and slow, precise physical movements to help give you strength, flexibility, better balance, improve your concentration and mind/body awareness. People at any level of physical fitness can participate and will benefit from this gentle practice.  Dress comfortably and bring water.

Facilitator:  Yvonne Czarniak

Winter session:  Thursdays, February 2 through March 15 (no class on February 16)

Spring session: Thursdays, April 5 through May 17 (no class on April 19)

12:00 (noon) to 12:45 p.m.

Fee:  $60 for all six sessions

Yoga

Yoga benefits people of all ages, it relaxes the body and calms the mind, reduces stress and creates more energy. The sequence taught is a blend of breathing techniques (pranayamas), simple stretches, and gentle yoga postures, enabling the body to release deep layers of tension and inviting connection of body, mind, and spirit. The yoga poses can be altered to accommodate participants of all abilities and all experience levels. Getting up and down off the floor on one’s own, however, is required. (Class is held indoors.) Please bring a mat and whatever else you need for comfort. (Call instructor Patti Essig if you would like to purchase a purple yoga mat for $10.  630-355-7103)

Facilitator: Patti Essig

Wednesdays, February 15 through March 21, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Fee: $60 for all six sessions

Prayer and Meditation

Centering Prayer: Spirituality and Practice

This ongoing group welcomes new members who have experience with centering prayer. Come to one or all sessions. The group meets regularly throughout the year to reflect upon and practice the prayer of quiet … centering prayer … the prayer that has been part of the inner life of the Church for centuries.  In the past this prayer was the daily food of mystics and those separated from ordinary life.  At this time in modern civilization there is a renewed cry to deepen our faith in a God who lives within.  And thus this ancient prayer has become the hunger of many ordinary Christians. Each session will include the practice of centering prayer. We will reflect upon and have conversation about the words of Fr. Thomas Keating, Cynthia Bourgeault and Robert Sardello. It is highly recommended that participants purchase the following resources:

Centering Prayer and Inner Awakening by Cynthia Bourgeault

Foundations for Centering Prayer and the Christian Contemplative Life by Thomas Keating

Silence, the Mystery of Wholeness by Robert Sardello

Facilitator: Pat Irr, OSF

January 16 and 30, February 13 and 27, March 12 and 26, May 14, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.

Fee:  $15 per session

An Introduction to Meditation

In most faith and spiritual traditions, meditation of some kind is a spiritual practice.  If you are curious about meditation or are interested in renewing your practice, this session will explore what meditation is, why people do it, and how to practice some simple forms of meditation.  There will be time for some teaching, practice and discussion.

Facilitator: Diane Przyborowski, OSF

Saturday, January 28, 9:00 a.m. to noon

Fee: $25

The Practice of Meditation

Evolutionary spirituality teachers highlight meditation as an essential component of the spiritual life.  Today more than ever a vibrant meditation practice is key to living life fully and assisting in the transformation of our world.  During this time together, we will practice meditating and share how we can continue to deepen our personal practice.  Several forms of meditation will be shared and practiced. Each session stands independently; come for as many as you wish.

Facilitator: Diane Przyborowski, OSF

Tuesday, February 7, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.

Saturday, March 10, 9:00 a.m. to noon

Saturday, May 5, 9:00 a.m. to noon

Fee: $20 per session; come to one or all

Retreat Day

A Spring Retreat of Gazing and Praising

Franciscans learn to gaze all along the way of life, seeing the beauty of God in ALL and praising the Creator of ALL.  This day of reflection, led by Sr. Georgene, will be one of pondering with the eyes of our body and the eyes of our soul.  The time will be divided between inspirational input and time for reflecting in and around the Wheaton Franciscan campus as the season springs into view, and sharing the wisdom with each other.

Facilitator: Georgene L. Wilson, OSF

Wednesday, March 14, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Fee: $30

Seasonal

Palm Weaving for Everyone

In the Christian tradition, palms are blessed and distributed on Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week.  The art of weaving blessed palms is a contemplative practice for many.  On the Monday before Palm Sunday, two sessions will be offered to learn and practice this art form. After having learned how to weave the palms earlier in the week, on Palm Sunday there will be a time to engage in this creative practice in a group with minimal explanation given. A freewill offering for materials is suggested. Registration for each session is separate.

Facilitator: Diane Przyborowski, OSF

Instruction sessions: Monday, March 26, 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. or 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.  (choose one)

Palm Sunday Gathering: Sunday, April 1, 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.

Fee:  Freewill offering

Spirituality

Exploring Our Spiritual Gifts:

An Introduction to Gifts Discernment

God has blessed each of us with spiritual gifts to be used in service to God’s people and for the transformation of our world. This introductory workshop is designed to help participants begin to recognize and claim their own spiritual gifts, as well as recognize and affirm the spiritual gifts in others. This session will provide an opportunity for input, reflection, and conversation as we grow together in discovery of our spiritual gifts.

Facilitator:  Jeanne Connolly, Wheaton Franciscan Covenant Member

Tuesday, March 20, 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.

Suggested donation: $15

Grief Walking 

We will watch Griefwalker by Stephen Jenkinson, and then engage in listening and respectful conversation as we process together in a small group (limited to eight people).  What do the dying teach us?  Jenkinson encourages us to look at death and grief in profound ways.  "Grief,” he says, “is a skill in the same way that love is a skill and something that must be learned.  Not success, not growth, not happiness, but rather the cradle of your love of life is death.  Death is the twin of love."  Let us seek to learn the purest form of love, that grief and death teach us, as we come together and engage in often unacceptable language and feelings that surround this topic in our culture.  Since the death of a loved one is the focus of Jenkinson’s presentation, this group is for those who have lost a loved one and wish to bring their heartfelt experience to a circle sharing group. Bring a picture of your loved one with you if you like.  We will honor their life in a simple ritual at the end of the day.

Facilitator:  Alice Carroll, Wheaton Franciscan Consecrated Widow Covenant Member

Saturday, May 12, 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Fee:  $35

Life Journey© Workshop:

Creating a Goal for the New Year

This is a practical, no-nonsense workshop where participants — through discussion and hands-on exercises —will visually create a path toward reaching one heart-desired goal for the New Year. Through fun, interactive exercises and group brainstorming, each participant will identify a goal, the perceived obstacles, determine methods of overcoming identified obstacles, and establish a course of action to take steps toward reaching goals. Join us for a morning of self-nurturing and affirmation.  Each participant will receive a Life Journey Workshop Manual which includes additional modules to work through independently.

Facilitator: Colleen Morgan

Saturday, January 21, 9:00 a.m. to noon

Fee:  $25

Sipping Wisdom, Savoring Her Passion

Join us for four sessions of pondering and integrating the goodness and passion of Wisdom.  Sr. Georgene will give input on where we find references to Wisdom in the Judaic/Christian scriptures, in our ordinary living, and in our inner spirit. She will also share insights from the book Sophia: The Hidden Christ of Thomas Merton by Christopher Pramuk. It is NOT necessary to purchase or read this book. It is recommended that you bring a journal to take notes for your own future, personal reflecting.

Facilitator: Georgene L. Wilson, OSF

Thursdays, January 19 and 26, February 9 and 16, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.

Fee:  $60

The Christian Erotic Tradition: Eros and Agape

We will listen to input from a recording by Third Order Carmelite Keith Egan, PhD. and then engage in conversation in an attempt to recover a healthy though lost wisdom at the heart of partnering love, the place where Spirit's passionate grace reveals the unity of Eros AND Agape. The size of the group is limited to allow for meaningful input and reflective conversation. 

Facilitator: Alice Carroll, Wheaton Franciscan Consecrated Widow Covenant Member

Saturday, June 16, 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Fee: $35

Walking in Peace Amidst Chaos--CANCELLED

This program will look at the many challenges that daily confront our body, mind and spirit.  We will examine various techniques and practices that can foster a sense of balance within us.  This is an invitation to come and relax and open yourself to the peace that dwells within each of us.  Wear loose comfortable clothing as the evening will include some gentle movement.

Facilitator:  Rosemarie Burian, OSF

Wednesday, March 7, 6:30 to 9:00 p.m.

Fee: $25

Who Are the Wheaton Franciscans?

Are you curious about the Wheaton Franciscan Sisters who founded Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare and Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital and live on that beautiful campus in Wheaton?  Are you looking for new challenges or companionship on your spiritual journey?  Did you know you can be a part of this Community as a non-vowed Covenant Member?  This presentation will introduce you to the Wheaton Franciscans — our mission, philosophy, ministries, and various ways you might want to connect with us.  Please join us for an informal presentation and conversation.

Facilitator:  Jeanne Connolly, Wheaton Franciscan Covenant Member

Offered twice: Saturday, February 25, from 10 a.m. to noon and Monday, May 21, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.

There is no fee for this presentation.