COMMON GROUND - Simplicity in an Age of Excess: On digital overload, consumerism, and choosing less on purpose
Time
November 1, 2026 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm(GMT-08:00)
Event Details
Something new is beginning at San Damiano Retreat, and we want you to be part of it. Common Ground is a new monthly
Event Details
Something new is beginning at San Damiano Retreat, and we want you to be part of it.
Common Ground is a new monthly series for anyone who feels the weight of this moment – the loneliness, the noise, the ache to do something that matters, and is looking for a community to transform our frustrations and passions into ideas and action. Some of us have been finding grounding here for decades, others are just discovering San Damiano for the first time. Common Ground is a place where both of those stories belong at the same table.
Each session pairs an honest look at something real happening in the world right now with a piece of Franciscan wisdom that has quietly been meeting moments like this one for 800 years. No dogma, no pressure. Just honest conversation, shared values, and community that makes the long haul feel a little more possible.
What to Expect
We’re gathering once a month on Sundays, 3–5pm, right here on our 55 acres. Each two-hour convergence begins with a “Ted Talk” style session to open the topic, moves into a short Q&A, and ends by asking the question that matters most: now what? We share ideas – not political debates – and navigate together how we could best move these pressing issues forward in a positive way. Talking about our values only takes us so far, we want to put action behind this movement.
Whether you’ve been part of the San Damiano family for years or you’re hearing our name for the first time, there’s a seat here for you. Bring your questions. Bring your doubts. Bring whatever you’re currently carrying. You don’t have to have it figured out to belong here.
Nov 1, 2026: Simplicity in an Age of Excess
On digital overload, consumerism, and choosing less on purpose.
On digital overload, consumerism, and choosing less on purpose.
More stuff. More scrolling. More noise. Somehow, still feeling emptier than ever?
This month, Common Ground takes on simplicity – not the minimalist-aesthetic kind, but the kind that makes room for what matters. We’ll dig into why so many of us are consuming more than ever and feeling less satisfied than ever, and what it might look like to choose less on purpose – not as deprivation, but as a quiet, deliberate act of resistance.
We’ll open with a short talk exploring that idea from a few different angles – what the decluttering movement gets right, what it misses, and why “owning less” has meant something similar across very different traditions and eras for centuries. From there, we’ll open it up for real conversation: what’s actually crowding out our peace, and what would it take to clear space for the things – and people – that matter most?
Dec 6, 2026: The Dignity of the Invisible
On homelessness, labor, and a culture that too easily looks away from people.
On homelessness, labor, and a culture that too easily looks away from people.
January 10, 2027: A Song for the Warming World
On climate anxiety, and finding a framework big enough to hold both grief and hope.
On climate anxiety, and finding a framework big enough to hold both grief and hope.
Feb 7, 2027: Poverty and the Common Good
On the wealth gap and the Bay Area housing crisis, close to home.
On the wealth gap and the Bay Area housing crisis, close to home.
Mar 7, 2027: Peacemaking Across Difference
On polarization, tribalism, and the discipline of really listening to someone who sees the world differently.
On polarization, tribalism, and the discipline of really listening to someone who sees the world differently.
Apr 4, 2027: Justice in Our Own Backyard
On immigration, local displacement, and showing up in concrete ways rather than just talking about it.
On immigration, local displacement, and showing up in concrete ways rather than just talking about it.
May 2, 2027: Belonging as Practice
On the loneliness epidemic, and what it takes to build real, consistent community.
On the loneliness epidemic, and what it takes to build real, consistent community.
Jun 6, 2027: Interfaith Encounter
On religious pluralism, and what genuine welcome across real difference looks like.
On religious pluralism, and what genuine welcome across real difference looks like.
July 2027: Emerging Facilitators: Passing the Lamp
On the leadership vacuum in communities like ours, and trusting the next generation to lead.
On the leadership vacuum in communities like ours, and trusting the next generation to lead.
Aug 1, 2027: Action and Commitment
On closing the gap between what we say we believe and how we actually live.
On closing the gap between what we say we believe and how we actually live.
September, 2027: What We Have Built
On what a year of showing up for each other actually adds up to.
On what a year of showing up for each other actually adds up to.
We’re finalizing a few pieces including pricing and holiday dates and we’ll share those as soon as they’re set.
Come as you are.
Ticket Section Title
Cancellation policy
Overnight or Multi-day/weekend retreats: $50 fee. Day Retreat: $20. Fees may be applied to future retreats. The fees may be waived in event of extenuating circumstances. Contact Kateri at 925-837-9141 x315.
Speakers for this event
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Bro. Mark Schroeder, O.F.M.
Presenter
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Dr. Michael Cunningham, OFS
Presenter
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