Advent Series -...

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St Paul’s Episcopal Church 1924 Trinity Ave.

Walnut Creek, CA 94596

Advent Series

THREE MEDITATIONS ON DEEP INCARNATION

Our three-part Advent series affords us the opportunity to review and savor some of the more exciting developments in contemporary spirituality. Advent, with its incarnational perspective, challenges us to engage the sacredness of creation. We prayerfully explore the implications of the Word made flesh not as a past historical happening but an uncompromising contemporary challenge. The simple question is whether or not we are willing to see life and World with the eyes, mind, heart, and soul of Jesus.

Three Wednesday Evenings -- 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm

December 2, 2015 The Gaze of Jesus

A Reflection on Laudato Si (Chapter Two Section Seven)

To see as Jesus Sees

December 9, 2015 “Throwing in his lot”

Three Reflections on the “Going down” of Jesus Luke 2: 50-52 – He went down with them

Luke 7: 11-17 – The Broken Heart Luke 22: 24-27 – The Tragic Table

December 16, 2015 Resurrection as Incarnational Hope

Revisiting Theosis – “Filled with Spirit” – Luke 4: 14-18 Revisiting Apocatastasis – “Good Thief” – Luke 23: 39-43

Rediscovering the Church of Mercy – “Be Merciful” – Luke 6: 36

Thomas P. Bonacci, C.P. The Interfaith Peace Project

640 Bailey Road #301 Pittsburg, CA 94565

(925) 787-9279

interfaithpeaceproject.org [email protected]

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PUBLIC

The Interfaith Peace Project An Interfaith Connections Program

Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church 9961 Elk Grove-Florin Road Elk Grove, California, 95624

I WILL BE WITH YOU ALWAYS Reflections on Jesus throughout the Centuries

(Part Two – The Creed to the Protestant Reform)

Our four part series explores the rise and collapse of the Medieval Church and the dawning of the Modern Period with the Protestant Reformation. In a spirit of ecumenism and interreligious understanding, we seek to appreciate what was once judged unfortunate history in a positive and constructive light. We will consider these issues in light of the surprising contemporary developments in the Church.

Last Class of Series

Reflection Four – December 11, 2015 Scripture, Faith, Grace

The Theology of Martin Luther (Appreciating the Biblical and Traditional Sources for the Protestant Principle)

Part One – The Early Centuries: The New Testament to the Creed Part Three – The Protestant Reformation to the Rise of the Global Community

Thomas P. Bonacci, C.P.

The Interfaith Peace Project (925) 787-9279

interfaithpeaceproject.org [email protected]

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GO AND LEARN THE MEANING OF THE WORD “MERCY”! Matthew 9: 13

Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose 43326 Mission Blvd [Behind Old Mission San José]

Auditorium Fremont, CA 94539

510-656-2331

Four Monday Evenings 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm

January 4, 2016

The Rise of the Golden Rule and the Birth of the Virtue of Mercy (Confucius and Jesus point to the dynamic relationship based on harmony, love and respect)

January 11, 2016

The God of the Hebrew Scripture is motivated by the oppression of the slaves to show forth and reveal mercy and compassion

(Moses and Jesus demand the defense of the stranger and alien)

January 18, 2016

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful AYAT al-Fatihah 1:1

(Insights concerning merciful compassion based on the Holy Qur’an (Muhammad and Jesus welcome the outcast and the sinner to the mercy of God)

January 25, 2016

The Year of Mercy You Shall be Compassionate as your God is Compassionate

Luke 6: 36 A Survey of the Scriptures of the New Testament concerning Mercy:

Luke 19: 1-10, Matthew 9: 9-13, Luke 15: 1-32

The Interfaith Peace Project Thomas P. Bonacci, C.P.


(925) 787-9279 [email protected] interfaithpeaceproject.org

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THE MERCY CENTER 535 Sacramento St. AUBURN, CA 95603

530-887-2019

RECOVERING THE FEMININE IN OUR TIME DAYS OF PRAYER, REFLECTION, AND TEACHING

WITH THOMAS P. BONACCI, C.P.

These four Days of Reflection are independent of one another. Open to both men and women, these four programs will reconsider the feminine spiritual traditions that are essential for realizing a robust appreciation of what it means to be truly human and humane. A healthy masculine spirituality requires a recovery of the feminine. These four programs consider this most important issue from differing perspectives challenging the prejudice and stereotypes that have injured women and prevented men from a more holistic understanding of masculinity.

Four Saturdays from 9:30 am-2:30 pm

JANUARY 23, 2016 THE APOLOGY TO EVE

WHAT REALLY HAPPENED IN THE GARDEN

APRIL 2, 2016 THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. PAUL

WITH SPECIAL ATTENTION TO THE ISSUES CONCERNING WOMEN

MAY 21, 2016 THE RESURRECTION ACCOUNTS

WOMEN AS EXEMPLARS OF FAITHFUL DISCIPLES

JULY 16, 2016 THE RISE OF THE GODDESS

IN THE IMAGE OF GOD, GOD CREATED THEM

Thomas P. Bonacci, C.P. Executive Director

The Interfaith Peace Project 640 Bailey Road #301 Pittsburg, CA 94565


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Christ the King Passionist Retreat Center 6520 Van Maren Lane

Citrus Heights, CA 916-725-4720

The Institute for The Study Of The Passion In The Jubilee Year of Mercy November 2015 – May 2016

Tuesday nights – 7-8:30 pm.

The Year Of Mercy

Insights From The Gospel Of Luke

Last Session of a four part series December 1, 2015 A merciful Church? Insights from the Acts of Apostles

The Passion of The Earth A Biblical Exploration for Our Time

February 2, 2016 The experience of Church in Laudato si February 9, 2016 The “Mystical” Scientist and the Cry of the Earth February 16, 2016 The Cry of the Poor / The Passion of the Earth February 23, 2016 “Consider the Birds …” – Jesus as Ecological Prophet

The Passion of The Church The Biblication Spirituality of Liberation

Insights into The Ministry Of Pope Francis

April 12, 2016 Pope Francis visits to the Americas – The Apology and the Challenge April 19, 2016 Liberation Theology revisited – a new way of being Church April 26, 2016 The Option for the Poor revisited May 3, 2016 The Future Church – Revisiting the history of Liberation from Jesus to the

present day

Thomas P. Bonacci, C.P. 925 787-9279

[email protected]

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A HOME-BASED PROGRAM

[Possible ideas for your own group]

I WILL BE WITH YOU ALWAYS JESUS THROUGH THE AGES

Part One

From Jesus to the Creed


A Great Prophet Has Appeared Among Us

The Mighty Deeds, the Gentle Heart, the Compassionate Presence of Jesus (The Rise of the Gospel Narratives)

Were Not Our Hearts On Fire As He Opened The Scripture To Us

The Voice of Jesus Heard in the Wisdom of the Community (Parables, Q, and Thomas)

Forth from Within Shall Living Waters Flow

The Birth of Global Discipleship – The Way to the Creed (Jerusalem, Antioch, Alexandria, Constantinople, Rome, Nag Hammadi)



NO WORLD PEACE WITHOUT RELIGIOUS PEACE!

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PRIVATE Home-Based Program

Antioch, CA

[Possible ideas for your own program]

I WILL BE WITH YOU ALWAYS

Reflections on Jesus throughout the Centuries (Part Two – The Creed to the Protestant Reform)

Our four part series explores the rise and collapse of the Medieval Church and the dawning of the

Modern Period with the Protestant Reformation. In a spirit of ecumenism and interreligious

understanding, we seek to appreciate what was once judged unfortunate history in a positive and

constructive light. We will discover how the issues that separate us today are imbedded in the ancient

church’s quest for its heart and soul. Reflection 1

The Rise of Islam and the Formation of Western Christianity Insights into the Importance of Rome as the Christian Center in Light of the Fall of Constantinople

(The Gnostic Influence on the Qur’an)

Reflection 2

He Died for Our Sins The Rise of the Gospel of Atonement, Substitution, and Satisfaction

(Insights into Medieval Theology)

Reflection 3 The Demise of Medieval Christianity

Factors Leading to the Rise of the Modern Age (Establishing the Context for the Protestant Reformation)

Reflection 4 Scripture, Faith, Grace

The Theology of Martin Luther (Appreciating the Biblical and Traditional Sources for the Protestant Principle)

Part One – The Early Centuries: The New Testament to the Creed Part Three – The Protestant Reformation to the Rise of the Global Community

Thomas P. Bonacci, C.P.

The Interfaith Peace Project 640 Bailey Road

#301 Pittsburg, CA 94565 925-787-9279 interfaithpeaceproject.org

[email protected]

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Home-Based Program [Possible ideas for your own group]


I WILL BE WITH YOU ALWAYS Reflections on Jesus throughout the Centuries

(Part Three – The Protestant Reformation to the Rise of the Global Community)

Our four part series explores the rise of the Modern Age and the dramatic transition to this post-modern period in which uncertainty is the rule of the day. Sophisticated biblical studies emerge in this period with a strong fundamentalist reaction. Finally, the violence of the Twentieth Century and the rise of global terrorism in the Twentieth-first challenges any study of Jesus and his significance.

Reflection One The Rise of the Modern World – The Scientific Worldview

The Fundamentalist Reaction

Reflection Two World Violence and the Tragedy of the Shoah

The Jewish Jesus Emerges

Reflection Three The Quest for the Historical Jesus The Discovery of the Human Jesus

Reflection Four The Global Age and the Cosmic Christ

The Elusive Nature of the “Real” Person

Part One – The Early Centuries: The New Testament to the Creed Part Two – The Creed to the Protestant Reform



(925) 787-9279 interfaithpeaceproject.org

[email protected]

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A Home Based Program [Possible ideas for your group]

THE INTERFAITH PEACE PROJECT

An Interfaith Connections Program

MAY ALL CREATION GIVE YOU PRAISE, O GOD! ON CARE FOR OUR COMMON HOME

1. “LAUDATO SI’, mi’ Signore” – “Praise be to you, my Lord”. In the words of this beautiful canticle, Saint Francis of Assisi reminds us that our common home is like a sister with whom we share our life and a beautiful mother who opens her arms to embrace us. “Praise be to you, my Lord, through our Sister, Mother Earth, who sustains and governs us, and who produces various fruit with colored flowers and herbs”.

2. This sister now cries out to us because of the harm we have inflicted on her by our irresponsible use and abuse of the goods with which God has endowed her.

Our three session program will explore the core message of Pope Francis’ important and timely Encyclical, “Laudato Si.” Transcending the controversy surrounding this prophetic work, we engage its challenge within the rich sacramental tradition of Church and our increasing awareness of the interrelationship of all Creation.

THE GOSPEL OF CREATION The Testimony of Tradition and Scripture

HUMAN ECOLOGICAL RESPONSIBILITY The Witness of Science and the Principle of the Common Good

ECOLOGICAL SPIRITUALITY The Call to Ecological Conversion and Cosmic Awareness



(925) 787-9279

[email protected] interfaithpeaceproject.org

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The Spirituality of Beauty A Retreat Weekend

[Possible idea for your group]

The One, the True, and the Beautiful

The Spirituality of Immanent Transcendence Reflections Based on the Life, Work, and Wisdom of St. Bonaventure

The extraordinary times in which we live are marked by unspeakable atrocities and unbelievable advances in almost every field. How shall we make sense of this? Our calm and peaceful weekend retreat at Evergreen we seek some insight from the important but often neglected Saint Bonaventure. We find ourselves on the verge of convergence in which the darkness of everyday life finds its resolution in the “beautiful” of which our Saint is the master. We will explore the genius of Bonaventure known as the “Sephardic Doctor” as his writings may offer us a powerful new way to engage our World.

The Time and Significance of St. Bonaventure

Insights from his Journey to God

The Transcendentals The Spirituality of Beauty

The Five Feasts of the Child

Insights into Spiritual Motherhood

The Life of St. Francis of Assisi The Heart and Soul of St. Bonaventure Journey to God

Reading St. Bonaventure in Light of Laudato Si

Ecology and the Poor – A Radical Theology of Beauty




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A HOME-BASED PROGRAM


Understanding Religiously Motivated Terrorism A Study in Fundamentalism, Radicalization, and Terrorism

The Fundamentals of Fundamentalism

Making Sense of Life and the World (The Dangers of Biblical Literalism)

Profiles of the Religious Terrorist

(One Person’s Terrorist is Another Person’s Saint!) A Literal Reading of Mark’s Gospel from a Radical’s Perspective

The Process of Religious Radicalization

Motivations for Violence – The Apocalyptic Worldviews (Is Religion Really the Cause of War and Conflict?)

Terrorism and the Future of the World Recognizing the Impulse for Violence

(Not in the Name of God)

THOMAS P. BONACCI, C.P. THE INTERFAITH PEACE PROJECT

640 BAILEY ROAD #301 PITTSBURG, CA 94565

(925) 787-9279


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A HOME-BASED PROGRAM [Possible ideas for your own group]

AN INTERFAITH CONNECTIONS PROGRAM


THE JOY OF THE GOSPEL EMERGING GLOBAL ETHICS

Some important shifts and developments within the Catholic Community signify some important shifts in global human consciousness. Our four session series will explore those shifts and opportunities.

Radical Hospitality The Open-Door

An Exploration of John 10 In Light of #47 – the Joy of the Gospel

The Church as “Field Hospital”

Key Words in the Work of Jesus

The Synod on the Family Exploring the Attribute of Mercy

A New Way of Being a Global Church

Future Trends A Turning Point in History? The Rise of Human Ecology

Problems and Opportunities



(925) 787-9279

Interfaithpeaceproject.org

[email protected]

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HOME-BASED PROGRAM [Possible ideas for your own group]


AN INTERFAITH CONNECTIONS PROGRAM

Understanding Religiously Motivated Terrorism A Study in Fundamentalism, Radicalization, and Terrorism

Profiles of the Religious Terrorist

(One Person Terrorist is Another Person’s Saint!) A Literal Reading of Mark’s Gospel from a Radical’s Perspective

The Process of Religious Radicalization

Motivations for Violence – The Apocalyptic Worldviews (Is Religion Really the Cause of War and Conflict)

Terrorism and the Future of the World Recognizing the Impulse for Violence

(Not in the Name of God)

THOMAS P. BONACCI, C.P.

THE INTERFAITH PEACE PROJECT 640 BAILEY ROAD #301 PITTSBURG, CA 94565

(925) 787-9279


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Home-Based Program [Possible ideas for your own group]

The Ecumenical / Interfaith St. Paul Apostle of the Emerging Global Spirituality

St. Paul argued for a new approach to the Gospel of Jesus which transcended the limits usually imposed by class, race, ethnicity, and culture. Paul’s understanding of the message of Jesus inspired him to think in terms of God’s love, work, and compassion in, with, and through all peoples.

Session 1 Taking Paul Beyond the Catholic / Protestant Disputes of the Last Five-hundred Years

Session 2 Paul’s Unique Experience Takes Him Beyond the Particular

Session 3 Paul Emerges in the Context of Diaspora Judaism

Session 4 The Implications of the Galatian Conflict, The Rise of the

Antiochian Community

Session 5 Universal Salvation Through Universal Damnation, Exploring Romans 8-9-10

Session 6 The Success of the Athenian Failure Insights into First Corinthians

Session 7 Revisiting the “Doctrine of Kenosis”, Jesus as Bodhisattva

Session 8 Cosmic Paul, Orthodox Insights

Session 9 Advent Afternoon of Reflection - Born Under the Law

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HOME-BASED PROGRAM


INTERFAITH CONNECTIONS A Program Sponsored by

The Interfaith Peace Project Thomas P. Bonacci, C.P. Pittsburg, CA

A CELEBRATION OF THE WORLD’S FAITH TRADITIONS REJOICING IN ALL THAT IS TRUE, GOOD AND HOLY

Our five session program is designed to introduce the major faith traditions of humankind. We seek the beauty, splendor, and contribution of each faith tradition. Our series will include suggestions for exploring the possibility for developing and practicing Global Spirituality as a source for peace in the world and in our hearts.

Session 1

General Introductions - The Basis for Interfaith Study The Way of Many Faiths

No World Peace Without Religious Peace

Session 2 The Hindu Traditions

The World of the Sacred “All Ways Are Sacred”

Session 3 The Experience of the Buddha

The Four Sights “Cause No Harm”

Session 4 The Rise of Biblical Judaism

Sabbath Justice / Sabbath Liberation “Walking in the Ways of God”

Session 5 Islam

The Holy Qur’an “The Way of Peace”

Advent Series -...

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