A Power Greater Than Ourselves: Reflections on Twelve-Step Spirituality 2017

If the event is listed as sold out please call us at 661-944-2178 for real time availability and waiting list. Office hours are from 8:30.a.m.- 5:00 p.m. (closed for mass & lunch *11:45 a.m- 1:30 p.m.) Check in time starts at 3:00 p.m. Check out time is at 10:00 a.m (exceptions may apply).

A Power Greater Than Ourselves: Reflections on Twelve-Step Spirituality 

Friday, August 11 - Sunday, August 13, 2017

Retreat Description: This workshop is designed for members of a 12-Step program and for anyone interested in its universal principals for spiritual living. Fr. Francis will begin his reflections as usual with his foundational premises on the spiritual life as they interface with the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. His particular emphasis this year will be on step 11: Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God, as we understood God, praying only for knowledge of God's will for us and the power to carry it out; and step 12: Having had a spiritual awakening as a result for these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and practice these principles on all our affairs. Prayer, meditation, and service to others will be explored. N.B.: There will be a 12-step meeting during the weekend for those who are members of any fellowship following the 12-steps.    

Presenter: Father Francis has been a monk of Valyermo since 1967. He earned an MA in Philosophy from Loyola-Marymount University and an MS in Theology from Mt. Angel in Oregon. He was ordained a priest in 1976. He served as the Abbey's abbot for 16 years. His special areas of ministry include spiritual direction, preaching retreats, and working with 12-step recovery groups. In addition to many responsibilities at the Abbey, he now serves as the Director of Oblates.