(Note: Classics in Religion programs are listed separately)

#595 A Cobblestone Work Day
When: Friday, May 3, 9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Suggested Donation: Willingness to Work

A day of hard work spiced with fellowship and fun. Organized work projects interspersed with fellowship, a hearty lunch and conversation.

#596 Nature awareness: Finding God in Creation
When: Monday, May 6, 9:30 a.m. – noon
Facilitator: Holly Rockwell
Suggested Donation: $15.00 (members $12.00)

St. Bonaventure wrote, “Each and every creature reflects a different aspect of the creator.” Spend a morning cultivating a deeper awareness of God’s immanence in the natural world. Based on the Ignatian awareness examen, let’s explore what nature reveals to each of us.

Holly Rockwell is Program Manager/Outreach Coordinator at Mercy Spirituality Center in Rochester. She is an Ignatian prayer guide and spiritual director. In 2015, she was certified as a Master Naturalist by Cornell University’s Conservation Education and Research Program. She spends lots of time roaming the fields and forests where she finds God.

#597 Aspects of Our Spiritual Journey Through Life:
Pace, Crossings and Dreams
When: Tuesday, May 14, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Facilitator: Joan Sobala, SSJ
Suggested Donation: $24 (includes materials)

A retreat day at Cobblestone Springs. We know that spiritual growth is a lifelong process. Sometimes we pay attention to it. Sometimes we don’t. This retreat offers us time to look at how we have grown and what it takes for us to keep growing. We’ll dip into the works of some of the spiritual masters of our time and history to help us interpret the meaning of our pace, crossings and dreams as we move through life.

Bring your own lunch. Beverages will be provided.

#598 The Practice of Mindfulness
When: Thursday, May 16, 9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Facilitator: Mary Lou Mitchell, SSJ PhD Suggested Donation: $35 (members $30)

Are you constantly reviewing the past or worrying about the future? If so, you are like most people! Yet the reality is the only moment we have is the present one. Life is only found in the present moment. Research findings demonstrate that we spend only 10% of our time awake and aware to the moment we are living in. Research findings also have demonstrated that the practice of mindfulness is a powerful tool for living in the present moment with peace and kindness. Mindfulness is learning to be in the moment without judgment. It is learning to see our reality in a way that helps us to know the next step we need to take. It is to remember “only that day dawns to which we are awake” (Thoreau – Walden) Come spend time learning about and experiencing an ancient practice that empowers individuals to cope with their daily lives. Bring your own lunch. Beverages will be provided.

#599 Spring Day of Prayer
When: Wednesday, May 22, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Facilitator: Anne Alderman, SSJ
Suggested Donation: $18.00 (members $15)

A time apart for quiet reflection in the midst of the beauty of Cobblestone Springs in the spring! The day will begin with an opening prayer and a reflective presentation. Most of the day will be devoted to silent reflection and prayer. Participants may sign up to meet with Anne individually, if desired. A time for sharing and a closing prayer will end the day. Bring a lunch. Beverages will be provided.

#585 Conversations About Race
When: Wednesday mornings, 10:00 a.m. – 12 noon, May 1, 15 & 29
Facilitator: Heather M. Cook
Suggested Donation: $12.00 (members $10.00)

When was the first time you remember being aware of race? What puzzles you about others’ experience of race? This discussion group will seek to explore our assumptions and experiences of race, and seek to bring to light our blind spots. While we will use a variety of resources to better understand racism’s history in the US, and its current manifestations, this group will be personal rather than academic.

#586 Gathering for Peace
When: 1st & 3rd Thursdays, 2:00 – 3:00; May 2 & 16, June 6 & 20
Facilitator: Anne Alderman, SSJ
Suggested Donation: $5.00

As we face so much intolerance, violence, refugee caravans, shootings, terrorism attacks and an ecological crisis, the world seems to need our prayer and personal serenity more than ever. Cobblestone Springs offers an afternoon twice a month of peaceful, quiet and prayer for peace. The Quaker-style prayer usually lasts about an hour.