Love – The Living Heartbeat of BioSpirituality

“Affection (Love) arrives quietly, more like a wandering breeze or a gentle grace blessing you on your journey through life.”

–Fr. Ed McMahon

The scriptures tell us that God is Agape—unconditional Love. And that we are made in the likeness and image of God.

As Christians, we are called to reflect God’s image into this world, but how do we do this?

In this retreat we will explore how Love, like Charity must begin at home; that the physical experience of love and affection, as we experience it in our own bodies, can facilitate the transition from control and hyper rationality into allowing the larger mystery of God, to guide and lead us into becoming the person God always intended us to be.

Exploring the many dimensions of Love opens a pathway to Grace that we instinctually hunger for.

Prior experience of Focusing and/or BioSpirituality will be an advantage but not a necessity.

About the Facilitators:

John Keane has over 25 years of experience in practicing and teaching Focusing. John first discovered Focusing while recovering from a chronic illness that left him hospitalized for six months. Focusing had such an impact on his life that he changed career from working in the Health Insurance Industry, to studying the philosophy and practice of the Focusing Process. John took a BA in Philosophy in the Jesuit University, Milltown Park, in Dublin. He also obtained his certification as a Focusing Professional through the Focusing Institute in New York at that time. Inspired by the work of BioSpiritual Focusing, he obtained a master’s degree in Philosophy for his study on the correlations between BioSpiritual Focusing and Narrative. John travelled to California in 2008 to work and study with Fr. Edwin McMahon and Fr. Peter Campbell, the founders of the BioSpiritual Institute. John has taught BioSpiritual Focusing in a wide variety of settings, including Universities, retreat centers, parishes, and schools, and has presented at a number of international conferences.

John is passionate about sharing the gifts of BioSpiritual Focusing with children. He is also actively involved in the design and presentation of online BioSpiritual education programs. John is the International Director of the BioSpiritual Institute.

Jeanne Fallon is a Sister of St. Joseph who has had 36 years of experience giving spiritual direction in both Papua New Guinea and USA, including the formation of spiritual directors for 18 years at the Center for Spiritual Development in Orange, California. Her pastoral experience in both countries provides a unique background for her programs, such as, spiritual discernment, the contemplative attitude and fostering a listening heart. As a retreat director and program presenter, she has a holistic approach integrating body, mind, spirit and emotions, promoting the healing of the whole person through Bio-Spiritual Focusing and an appreciation for the interconnectedness of all creation. Sister Jeanne has served as the Director of Formation/Novice Director for the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange and worked at Loyola Institute for Spirituality in Orange, California. At present, Jeanne is back at the Center for Spiritual Development. Sr. Jeanne has a MA (Spirituality), from Gonzaga University, Spokane WA, a BA (Spanish), St. Joseph College, Orange, CA and a Certificate in Spiritual Direction, Center for Religious Development, Cambridge, MA.

David Robinson, S.J., was born and raised in Billerica, Massachusetts. After completing undergraduate work at Boston University, he went to UC Berkeley for graduate studies in English Literature, and continued in theology at the Jesuit School of Theology and the GTU, where he earned a PhD in Theology and the Arts. As a Jesuit, he began a decades-long connection to ministry in the Latino community, as well as pursuing advanced studies in music. His ministry at the Loyola Institute included liturgical work with the CSJ sisters, Latino ministry, Ignatian pedagogy workshops, and spirituality and the arts projects. At the CSD, he has been part of a BioSpirituality cohort, offering retreats, classes, and workshops in focusing. On the personal front, he considers himself a work-in-progress—mingling interests in music, media, and global networks with an ongoing connection to organizational spirituality.

Registration:

This retreat will be held in person, with John Keane flying in from Ireland. The retreat stretches from Friday to Saturday and is available only as a two-day event. Each day starts at 10am and ends at 4:30pm. Registration does not include accommodations but there are several hotels in the area. Participants can choose to register for the retreat only or may purchase a package including lunch for Friday and Saturday. Commuters who do not wish to sign up for the lunches are asked to bring a sack lunch that does not need to be heated. Please select your option in the booking section below. If you do not receive a confirmation email within a couple of days, please check your spam / junk mail folder.

All attendees must show proof of vaccination (including boosters, if eligible) to be maskless indoors. Otherwise, masks are required indoors. Regardless of vaccination status, we strongly encourage the use of masks, especially during times of high transmission. Please note that the Covid protocols at St. Joseph Center can change at any moment.

For questions, please call (714) 744-3172 or email thecsd@csjorange.org