Prayers & Practices
Video Series
Conversations on the many ways
you can connect with God in your daily life.
Daily Rituals
If you feel as if you are holding a lot of emotion - whether it is joy, gratitude, grief, or worry - rituals are a powerful way to express yourself and connect with God's grace. Rituals help us connect with God, ourselves, and our family, friends, and community in a profound way. In this video, Sr. Paula Hagen, OSB talks to us about the different ways to integrate rituals into our lives for connection, resilience, and hope.
Sister Paula Hagen, OSB, is the co-founder of Ministry of Mothers Sharing and former prioress of the Sisters of St. Benedict of St. Paul's Monastery in Minnesota. She has over 30 years of experience in retreat development. In addition to a Master’s in Family Systems, Sister Paula trained as a retreat director at the Franciscan Renewal Center. She co-created and published the Ministry of Mothers Sharing Journal and materials for parishes nationwide. While director of the Ministry of Mothers Sharing, she made rituals a significant element in the ministry, empowering women to share them with their families and faith community.
Re-Creating Your Life Story
Do you find yourself frustrated always thinking about the life you expected to have instead of the life you are living? In this episode of Prayers & Practices, Christine Jurisich interviews author Diane Millis on her book, “Re-creating a Life: Learning How to Tell our Most Life-Giving Story.” Discover how to write your story in a way that helps to unearth a new narrative and experience new life. Diane says creation - and your story - is always unfolding.
For three decades, Dr. Diane Millis has had the privilege of serving as a midwife for others as they give voice to the vast array of stories inside of them. She has taught and advised undergraduate and graduate students; consulted and coached in a wide array of sectors; facilitated retreats and led workshops; produced the video series, “Lives Explored;” and ministered as a spiritual director. Through this, Diane observes, listens, and inquires as participants learn how to tell their most life-giving stories—stories to which they are drawn.
Learn more about Diane’s work at https://www.dianemillis.com/
Trusting God
What do you do if you have a relative who always talks about politics when you meet? Or has different comfort levels with Covid? "In the Hands of God" is a helpful tool Dr. Mary del Vecchio has created to help you pray and work through problems by yourself or with another person. The worksheets we refer to in the interview can be downloaded below.
Dr. Mary has a doctorate in psychology, a masters in theology, and a pastoral ministry certificate. She is also a Benedictine Oblate with St. Paul’s Monastery. Learn more about Dr. Mary and her work at www.drmarydelvecchio.com.
Practicing Gratitude
It is easy to practice gratitude when things are going your way. How do you find gratitude in hard times? Christine talks with artist Shannon Grissom about the gratitude practice she started during a very low point in her life. She teaches us the importance of never giving up when you are searching for gratitude - even in your darkest times.
Shannon is an artist and author. You can find Shannon’s art and gratitude offerings at www.ShannonGrissom.com
You can find Shannon’s gratitude posts every week on our Facebook and Instagram pages @retreatreflectrenew.
