Retreats and WorshipHere is a listing of upcoming retreats, dialogue sessions, and worship opportunities for 2017. We also invite you tovisit www.sandamiano.org or call for more details or to register. You may also register using the enclosed envelope.

J A N U A R Y

January 7-28 (Saturdays)Creating Authentic RelationshipsBarbara Gordon KalevaTime: 10:00 AM-JrOO PMCost: $30 per session or $100 for series(includes lunch)

January 20-22Helping to Heal Wounds - Our Own &The World's (Trauma Retreat)Tom Gorham, MA, CADCII & Carol M itchell, PhDCost $235 (prfwaeroom) or$205 (shared room)

January 22The Virgin Mary: Muslims and ChristiansKnowing Ourselves by Knowing the OtherBr. Michael Minton & Dr. Nazeer AhmedTime: 9:00 AM-4;O0 PMCost $40 (includes lunch)

January 27-29Performing Ordinary Things in ExtraordinaryWays (Franciscan Spirituality Retreat)Fr. Joe Chinnici, OFMCost $235 (private room) or $205 (shared room)

F E B R U A R Y

February 7JoumalingNancy BurchettCost $20

February 10-12Valentine's Retreat for Married CouplesFr. Rusty Shaughnessy, OFM andRichard & Kaiia ObemesserCost $340 per couple

February 12Day of Dialog for LGBTQSan Damiano StaffTime: 1:00 PM-4:00 PM j Cost: Free

M A R C H

March 1Ash Wednesday Day of RenewalFr. Ken Laverone, OFMTime: 9:30 AM-3:00 PMCost: S40 (includes lunch)

March 1Ash Wednesday Evening of RenewalFr. Ken Laverone, OFMT i m e : 6 : 0 0 P M - 8 : 0 0 P M

Cost: $25 (includes dinner)

March 5Muslims and Christ ians: How We KnowOurselves by Knowing the OtherBr. Michael Minton & Dr. Nazeer/^medTime; 9:00 AM-4:00 PMCost: $40 (includes lunch)

March 7-April 25 (Tuesdays)Lenten BookSeries: A Pilgrimagethrough Lent and BeyondKathy Miranda, MATime: 9:30 AM-12:30 PMCost: $20 per session or $140 for whole series

eieLrcite sCx e an ueValent ine 's D inner & Mov ie

1March 8-April 5 (Wednesdays)Lenten Taize ServiceSan Damiano staff & friendsTime: 7:00 PM-8:oo PM | Cost: Free

March 10-12LifeSHIFT: Work & the Christian JourneyThomas BachhuberandJim BriggsCost: $235 (private room) or $205 (shared room)

M a r c h 1 8

Into Your Hands I Commend My Spirit(Christian Meditation Day)Sr. Barbara HazzardTime: 10:00 AM-4:oo PMCost: $55 (includes lunch)

A P R I L

AprihJoumalingNancy BurchettCost: $20

April 13-16Holy Week RetreatFr. Ken Laverone, OFM & San Damiano StaffCost $255 (private room) or $220 (shared room)

April 23-27Working RetreatFr. Tom Hartle, OFMCost Free

April 28-30Franciscan Spirituality RetreatFr. Tom Hartle, OFMCost $235 (prrvateroom) or $205 (shared room)

M A Y

May 2-23 (Tuesdays)The Road to Emmaus: Feminine PerspectiveJan StegnerTime: 930 AM-2:00 PMCost $35 per session (includes lunch)or $105 for whole series

When: Sunday, February 12th5:00 PM

Cost: $50 per person

P u r c h a s e T i c k e t ssandamiano.org(925) 837-9m

May 13Embodied PrayerSteve Harms and Kaleo & Elise ChingTime 9:00 AM-4;00 PMCost $40 (includes lundi)

May 13Spirituality & Conscious Aging: FindingMeaning & Purpose in Our Retirement YearsJim BriggsTime 9:30 AM-3;oo PMCost $85 (includes lunch)

May 21Day of Dialog for LGBTQSan Damiano StaffTime too PM-4;oo PM | Cost Free

J U N E

June 4-9Silent Contemplative RetreatSr. IshpriyaCost $395 (private room) or $320 (shared room)

J u n e i o

Come Aside and Rest Awhile

(Christian Meditation Day)Sr. Barbara HazzardTime 10«0 AM-4:oo PMCost $55 (indieles IutkH)

June 25Sacredness of CreationKathy Miranda & Sue CalderaTime 9:30 AM-3;30 PMCost $55 (includes lunch)

June30-Juiy2Need Solutions?? Try the 12 Steps(Recovery Retreat)Sr. Briegeen Moore, OSCCost $235 (prfvtrtc room) or $205 (shared room)

nS a n D a m i a n o R e t r e a t

D A N V I L L E • C A L I F O R N I A

S a n D a m i a n o R e t r e a t C e n t e r710 Highland DriveDanville, CA 94526

Vis i t ou r webs i te o r ca l l :

o www.sandamiano.orgQ (92s) 837-9W

2017 Events CalendarWe have social events planned every3rd Sunday of the month and then somelKeep us on your busy social calendarsand bring friends! All events are atSan Damiano unless otherwise noted.

January 15 P a s t a D i n n e r

February 12 Va l e n t i n e ' s D i n n e r f o rF r i ends and Loves

February 19 P a s t a D i n n e r

March 19 P a s t a D i n n e r

May 14 Mother's Day Brunch

May 21 P a s t a D i n n e r

June 18 Father's Day Barbecue

July 16 W i n e a n d C h e e s e

Reception

August 20 P a s t a D i n n e r

Septembeny F a l l A u c t i o n & D i n n e r

October 15 P a s t a D i n n e r

November 19 P a s t a D i n n e r

D e c e m b e r n D inne r a t G iann i ' s I t a l i anB is t ro in San Ramon

(San Damiano will be servingand getting the tips!)

December 17 P a s t a D i n n e r

This newsletter brought to you byCatholic Funeral & Cemetery Services

Holiday 2016

F e a t u r e d R e t r e a t s

Performing Ordinary Things in Extraordinary Ways(Franciscan Spirituality Retreat)January 27th-29th | Fr. Joe Chinnini, OFMCost: $235 (private room) or $205 (shared room)Fr. Joe Chinnici, OFM is the former president of the FranciscanSchool of Theology, now in Oceanside, CA. He has been aFranciscan friar for over 35 years. A specialist in the historyof the church in the United States, he gives retreats, lectures,and writes in the field of Franciscan spirituality. He currentlychairs the Commission for the Retr ieval of the Franciscan

. i n t e l l e c t u a l T r a d i t i o n .

Growing into the Cosmic ChristJuly 23rd-July 28th | Fr. Michael Crosby, OFM CapCost: $395 (private room) or $320 (shared room)

Fr. Michael Crosby is a Capuchin Franciscan living in Milwaukee.His ministry is to develop a spirituality of discipleship for U.S.and other "F i rs t Wor ld" Cathol ics. This effor t has two main

expressions: corporate reform and church reform. Since 1973Michael has been a pioneer among Catholics in promotingcorporate reform through socially responsible investing.Michael's preaching and writing on contemporary biblicaldiscipleship has taken him around the world.

Finding Our Way HomeSeptember Sth-ioth | Paula D'ArcyCost; $250 (private room) or $220 (shared room)Paula D'Arcy, is an author and retreat leader who speaksthroughout the US and abroad. She is President of the RedBird Foundation, which supports the growth and spiritualdevelopment of people in need, in prison, and in Third World ordisadvantaged cultures. Paula is a former psychotherapist whosepersonal tragedy led her to reach out to others. Paula also servesas adjunct faculty at Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio,TX and Seton Cove Spirituality Center in Austin, TX.

Entering the Cave of the HeartSeptember igth-iyth | Fr. Michael Fish, OSB CamCost: $250 (private room)or$220 (shared room)Fr. Michael Fish is a Camaldolese Monk and a member of the NewCamaldoli Hermitage in Big Sur, CA. He lives in solitude while alsooffering retreats and missions on contemplative ways of being,discovering the "inner monk" and the spirituality of journey.

cfcs

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Pi'nchus Spring (left) and Aaron Shermanblow the shofar while observingYom Kippur at San Damiano.

from the grapes grown on Catholic cemeteryproperties, believes passionately in (hefaithful connection between wine and

Church. A portion of the income from ourWine Club sales in contributed to an

endowment fund created to provide tuitionassistance to needy students wishing to

at tend a Catho l i c schoo l .

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B I S H O P S V I N E Y A R D . O R G

Meet the New Interim Director and Guardian:Father Ken Laverone, OFM

We welcome Father Ken Laverone as the new guardian and interimdirector of San Damiano. In addition to his duties at San Damiano,Father Ken is a canon lawyer and serves as the Judicial Vicar for theDiocese of Monterey and as Professor of Canon Law at the FranciscanSchool of Theology.Father Ken is a 7th generation Californian. His 7th great-grandfatherwas among the settlers who followed the missions in 1774. PerhapsFather Ken 's fa te to become a Franc iscan was sea led a t b i r th . He was

born in San Juan Bautista and baptized at the mission there. However,he took a bit of a different path; he was a diocesan priest for 25 yearsprior to joining the friars in 1996.

Since being a friar, he has worn many hats. Most recently, he was pastor for four years at St. Francisof Ass is i Par ish in Sacramento . He has a lso served the Franc iscans o f the Prov ince o f Sa in t

Barbara in leadership roles: three years on the Definitorium (Provincial Council) and seven yearsas the Vicar Provincial. He is an expert on Junipero Serra, having served as the Vice-Postulatorfor the Cause of the Canonization of Junipero Serra and was part of the canonization inSeptember 2015, proclaiming the biography of St. Junipero to Pope Francis and the world.Father Ken is an avid hiker and has made 2 pilgrimages to Santiago de Compostela. He alsoenjoys cooking and makes dinner every Tuesday for the friars.

New: Group Spiritual Direction at San DamianoMany people know about San Damiano as a place to go on retreat, but did you know thatwe also provide spiritual direction? For many years, San Damiano has offered one-on-onespiritual direction for individuals discerning life choices, discovering ways to pray, oracknowledging a persistent longing or question.New in 2017, San Damiano will also offer group spiritual direction. Group spiritualdirection focuses on two questions: How has the Spirit of God been present in your prayerand life recently? How do you hear the presence of the Spirit of God in the group's sharing?Spiritual community is forged, and the experience can be transformative for its members.The monthly 2-hour sessions will be led by Ms. Kathy Miranda or Ms. Bidi Millet, both beingcertified spiritual directors with over 19 years of experience each. The cost for each monthlysession is $20.

Call San Damiano to register. You may choose from one of 4 groups which start January 19,January 21, February i, or February 4. All groups will meet from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM. Groupsize is limited to 6 each.

▼ ▼ > V ▼ ▼ ▼

M e n u

Spaghetti (with meat andvegetarian sauces)

S a l a d

Garlic and French Bread

Dessert

Beverage

J o i n u s f o r

Pasta Dinner NightsWhen: January 15th, February 19th, March 19th,

May 21st, August 20th, October 15th,November 19th, and December 17th

Time; 4:30 - 6:30 PM

W h e r e : S a n D a m i a n o R e t r e a t

710 Highland Drive | Danville, CA 94526Adults: $15 I Childrem2 and under: $10C o s t :

P u r c h a s e T i c k e t s

sandamiano.org(925) 837-9W S a n D a m i a n o R e t r e a t

A F r a n c i s c a n P r e s e n c eI n N o r t h e r n C a l i f o r n i a

S a n D a m i a n o R e t r e a tD A N V I L L E • C A L I F O R N I A Holiday 20i6

In this Issue- May The Lord Give

Yo u P e a c e !

- Meet Fr. Ken Laverone

- Group Spiritual Directionat San Damiano

- Retreats and Worship

- Featured Retreats

- Upcoming Events

May The Lord Give You Peace!Dear Brothers and Sisters:

We e n t e r i n t o t h e d a r k n e s s o f w i n t e r i n t h e t i m e o f A d v e n t t h a t m o v e s u s t o w a r d C h r i s t m a s a n d t h e N e w

Year. Our spiritual lives are challenged to be aware of the small and sometimes dim light of God piercing thedarkness these winter months. As people of faith, the small but bright light of the nativity announces theincarnation of God into our world. The event was mysterious even for Mary, who was not too sure what washappening. Yet, she was attentive to the small Word of God that was calm, quiet, but of great power. Shewelcomed into her life a place for that Word to take root and grow. Mary gave birth to Jesus in a strange,dark, unknown, and simple place that was cold and not very tidy.

During the Advent and Christmas seasons, the scriptures speak to us in a way that ushers us into the yearwith promise, hope, and challenge. 1 offer some thoughts that may be useful during this dark, busy, and formany a difficult time of the year.- Shout for joy! Be glad and exult! Is there any reason to shout for Joy? Come up with three reasons.- The Lord has removed the Judgment against you! Do I really believe that? Do I really believe that God

is merciful beyond all human understanding? What will it take for me to embrace this mercy?- Fear not, don't be discouraged! Why am I afraid? What's causing the discouragement today?- God is in your midst! Really? Is God really here? How is God concretely in my life today?- God will sing joyfully because of you! Give me a break! Why would God sing about me? Come up with

t h r e e r e a s o n s .- Your kindness will be known to all. So, what? Who cares about my kindness and does it really make any

difference? When has my kindness made a difference?- Have no anxiety. Make your requests known to God. Does God really care about my anxieties? Do, I turn

my anxieties and worries over to God or even let God know what they are?- The peace of God will guard your hearts and minds. If only I knew where to find that peace. An open heart

might help the peace to be found. Do I really prefer conflict? Am I the cause of conflict? Am I letting God'speace guard my heart and mind?

- What do I need to do to welcome Jesus? Share your clothes, food, and resources with those who have

nothing. Would I share what 1 have with Jesus? Jesus is in the poor. What am I sharing with the poor?- John the Baptist preached Good News to the people. Sometimes, the Good News is bad news for me.

What is the bad news I need to embrace in my life? How is grace present in the bad news?

May this Advent and Christmas time connect our hearts with the love that God has for us, the mercy Godoffers us, and the joy and excitement God provides us, God's creation.

M a y t h e L o r d G i v e Y o u P e a c e ! 1* / i