Sept 16-17, 2015 (Wednesday evening,

Thursday daytime)

Sponsor:

West Allis Tri-Parish Cluster

Site:

Immaculate Heart of Mary 1212 South 117th Street

West Allis, WI 53214

414-453-5192 www.ihmwestallis.com

Website: Firstfruits.info

Executive Director: Joan Carey JoanCarey@firstfruits.info

262-271-7859

Registration: Lynda Gilpin LyndaGilpin@firstfruits.info

262-993-0096

Contact Joan to bring Firstfruits to your group.

On Firstfruits mini-retreat days you are

welcome to visit us any time. There are,

however, three sessions of structured time

during each retreat day when spiritual

opportunities are offered for women of all

ages.

6:30-8:30pm (Wednesday evening)

9:15 –11:15am (Thursday morning)

1:00-2:30pm (Thursday afternoon)

Register for one, two, or all three sessions. In

between sessions come relax in the Kiwi-Café

with a cup of coffee and a variety of homemade

goodies. You are also welcome to join us for a

salad lunch and/or a soup dinner.

Come and be nourished!

Registration Options:

Register online at www.firstfruits.info

Contact Lynda Gilpin at 262-993-0096 or email LyndaGilpin@firstfruits.info

Turn in paper registration forms to Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish Office

Name:_________________________

O Childcare needed $____ ($5 per family per session) ___Wednesday (6:15-8:30pm) ___Thursday (9:00-11:15am) Names and ages of children: _______________________ _______________________

O Registered for ____ sessions $____ ($15 per session or $40/all 3 sessions)

O Coming for the soup dinner $____ (Wednesday 5:30-6:30) ($5 per meal)

O Coming for the salad lunch $____ (Thursday 11:15-12:30) ($5 per meal)

Total enclosed $____ (Please make checks payable to

Immaculate Heart of Mary)

(At this time we only accept cash or checks.)

Registration for Sept 16-17 WELCOME!

Cost: $15/session or $40/all 3 sessions

Childcare: $5/family per session Available morning (Thurs. 9:00-11:15am) & evening (Wed. 6:15-8:30pm) sessions only. Pre-registration required.

Meals: $5/meal Salad lunch and /or soup dinner.

Offerings: Please see other side for offering descriptions and schedule.

Registration: Details on form at left.

Check-In: Please arrive 15-30 minutes early to the morning or evening sessions to allow for check-in.

Future Firstfruits Dates...

2015

Sept 16-17* Immaculate Heart of Mary—West Allis

Oct 6-7* St.. Eugene—Fox Point

Oct 26-27* St. Anthony—Pewaukee

2016

Feb 1-2* St. Anthony—Pewaukee

Apr 21-22* St. Alphonsus—Greendale

May 2-3* St. Anthony—Pewaukee

*During 2-day events, Evening sessions are offered on the 1st day, Morning/Afternoon sessions are on the 2nd day.

ALL ARE WELCOME!

A Gathering For Women

Email: _______________________

Phone: ______________________

Address:_____________________

City, Zip:_____________________

Parish: ______________________

Sept 17, Thursday Afternoon 1:00-2:30

Choose one:

_____ Body Wisdom: Compassionate Self-Care _____ Domestic Violence: How Can You Help

_____ (Art/Craft) Making Room for Hospitality and Generosity in Christ

_____ Prayer: Food for the Journey

Sept 16, Wednesday Evening 6:30-8:30 5:30 - 6:30 Check-In Open

6:30 - 7:00 Keynote speaker in Church

7:00—8:30 Choose one:

_____ Finding Balance in our Lives with Jesus’s Peace

_____ Internet Safety ______ Living Through Life’s Losses

______ The Spirituality of the Parables of Jesus

Firstfruits Registration

for Sept 16-17, 2015

Sept 17, Thursday Morning 9:15-11:15 8:45—9:15 Check-In/Childcare Open 9:15—9:45 Keynote speaker in Church 9:45—11:15 Choose one: _____ Finding Balance in Our Lives with Jesus’s

Peace _____ Journaling with the Labyrinth _____ Love and Logic _____ The Stages of a Woman’s Life

Journaling With the Labyrinth ~ What is a labyrinth?

How can this ancient prayer form calm my body and open my mind to more clearly hear God speaking to me? This presentation will include an explanation of the labyrinth as well as specific instructions on possible ways to use a paper labyrinth for journaling. You will be given time to try this unique prayer method and then we will discuss the process you experienced and how you can incorporate it into your own personal prayer life! Carol Sullivan

Retreat Leader, Spiritual Director

Prayer: Food for the Journey ~ Women in scripture and

in our faith tradition have given us many examples to assist us in understanding how the way we pray changes during our lifetime. We’ll learn from Therese of Lisieux, Prisca and Julian of Norwich along with examples from Joyce Rupp’s book, “The Cup of Our Life,” the many styles of prayer and how to discern our prayer style. Thelma Walker

Certificates in Theology and Adult and Family Ministry Past Director, Office for Women, Milwaukee Archdiocese

Internet Safety ~ Internet crimes are on the rise. Crimes

such as on-line harassment, bullying, fake accounts, sexting and “trading pics,” and revenge and exposure crimes are becoming all too common. Parents need to educate themselves on this topic in order to be the first line of defense. Come and learn from Sgt. Marla Martin about the dangers of social media as well as other accessible internet sites. She will review popular sites such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat as well as the sites not well known to parents but wildly utilized by teens and potential predators as well as discuss the consequences and long term effects to victims and their families.

Sgt. Marla Martin, West Allis Police Dept, Liaison officer West Allis High Schools

Individual Spiritual Direction ~ The spiritual life brings

times when God seems near and times when God seems distant. Spiritual direction offers the skills of a trained listener to walk with the seeker through these ups and downs. Lead by prayer and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, help discover where the rhythms of God are in life. Sign up for 25 minute sessions from 12:00 - 1:00 and 2:30-3:30 by phone or email to Lynda Gilpin on a first-come basis. Everything is held in confidence.

Mary Matestic MTS, St. Francis Seminary

Offering Descriptions...A Feast of Opportunities ...

September 16-17th at Immaculate Heart of Mary, West Allis

The Spirituality of the Parables of Jesus ~ Jesus

primarily taught in parables. Why Jesus taught in this simple, yet complex, form of story-telling continues to capture the imaginations of those who love the Word of God. All the parables begin with loss: the lost coin, the lost sheep, the lost son, the lost seed, etc. Yet this loss leads to an encounter with God which is the beginning of the spiritual life. Fidelity to our spiritual lives leads to the Kingdom of God which is experienced here among us now! “The Kingdom of God is in your midst!” Come discover the intrigue of the parables and how they capture the Christ-invitation even today. Mary Matestic MTS, St. Francis Seminary

Finding Balance in Our Lives with Jesus’s Peace ~ As

women, we often feel different pressures and a sense of being pulled in many directions. The true source of balance and peace is most often overlooked in all the magazines, talk shows and self-help books. This source is the truth and mercy from our Savior, Jesus Christ. Please join us as we explore ways to simply change our everyday thinking patterns to ones that more closely imitate the mind of Christ and thus grant us greater peace and balance.

Tammy Groszczyk M.S., LPC, Licensed Psychotherapist, Lakefront Wellness Center, Pewaukee

Living Through Life’s Losses ~ In this interactive session,

we will explore the many losses experienced throughout one’s lifetime. We will look at our own stories which reveal many lessons learned, and the useful coping skills developed. Finding ways to care for our body, mind and spirit when we experience loss, will also be discussed. You will find healing and hope in the message of the resiliency of the human spirit. Kathy Czarniak RN.,

Parish Nurse, Grief Support Group Leader

(Art/Craft) Making Room for Hospitality and Generosity in Christ ~ The virtues of generosity and

hospitality have become “endangered” in our culture of busyness today. Through discussion and the art form known as Mandala learn how to develop the free and generous space in your heart necessary for hospitality along with the Christ like attitude of being FOR others that allows us then to be at home with ourselves, others and the Divine Guest. In turn we can live truly generous lives. Art supplies provided.

Sister Karlyn Cauley, Artist, Gallery of the Sisters of the Divine Savior

Body Wisdom: Compassionate Self-Care Practices ~

Life’s demands and difficult situations can leave us feeling worn out physically, emotionally and spiritually. And yet we often neglect to care for ourselves. Body Wisdom teaches simple but effective practices which can help relieve the symptoms of stress. The practices involve gentle movement, quiet reflection, calming breath work, simple finger holds, safe touch and more. When accompanied by the intention of connecting with God, these practices also become a form of compassionate body prayer. Marjorie Wilbur

The Stages of a Woman’s Life ~ Taking the first two

chapters of Luke’s gospel along with Erickson’s and Gilligan’s stages of growth as an overlay, we will look at the stages of a woman’s life as depicted through Mary, Elizabeth and Anna. The youthful Mary makes a major decision, Elizabeth the middle-aged woman assesses her contributions to life, and Anna the 84-year-old looks forward with trust.

Sister Mary Carroll, Sacred Heart School of Theology

Domestic Violence: How Can You Help ~ The National

Council of Catholic Women responds to domestic violence against women through their program “Women Healing the Wounds.” You may not think you know someone affected by Domestic Violence but you probably do and just don’t know it. It could be a family member, a person in your church, a friend, or your neighbor. Not knowing doesn’t save lives, information can. Come and learn how you can help.

Jean Kelly, Province Director, MACCW

Love and Logic ~ Love and Logic is a great way to raise

children who are respectful, responsible and fun to be around. Are you interested in how to put the fun back into parenting? How to be a cool parent in hot situations? Or maybe what Scripture says about parenting? You will be encouraged, inspired and affirmed in your ideas of parenting. Applicable to all ages, 8 months to 80 years. Even works on husbands and co-workers! Pam Olsen

Love and Logic Coaching Sessions ~ (30 minute

sessions from 11:30-1:00) One on one time with Pam to discuss approaches to parenting including but not limited to how to implement information from the Internet Safety presentation from Wednesday evening. Pam Olsen

Chair Massage ~ Take full advantage of this day of

spiritual, mental and physical renewal with a chair massage. Sign up for one of our 7 time slots by phone or email to Lynda Gilpin on a first-come basis. Each session is 15 minutes running between 11:15—1:00. Mary Beth Rezek

_____ Soup Dinner Wed. 5:30-6:30

_____ Lunch & Free Time 11:15-1:00

Free Time Opportunities Space is limited to specific time slots. To signup for any of these sessions, call or email Lynda Gilpin at 262-993-0096 or LyndaGilpin@Firstfruits.info on a first-come basis. Individual Spiritual Direction with Mary Matestic

(25 min. sessions between 12:00-1:00&2:30-3:30)

Love & Logic Coaching Sessions with Pam Olsen (30 min. sessions between 11:30-1:00)

Chair Massage (15 min. between 11:15-1:00)