Event Details
The Common Good Revisited: Living it through Action and Prayer
Franciscan Spirituality Retreat.
Check-in on Friday is from 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM. Dinner is served at 7:00 PM. First Session on Friday evening around 7:30 pm. The retreat concludes with lunch at 12:00 pm on Sunday and departure after lunch at least by 1:00 pm the latest.
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.
About the Event
Peace and All Good is the Moniker of the Franciscan Way in the world. The Common Good is the touchstone of Christian Social Justice and behavior. In an increasingly divided world, how can we use these models to be active Christians, and at the same time remain peace-filled? Not a trivial problem to resolve. In many cases there are as many questions are they are answers. This retreat will return us to the core message of Jesus Christ in the Franciscan tradition and offer practical and prayerful options to help us promote “Peace and All Good” while nourishing our spiritual journey.
Let us explore together how to tackle this challenge in a way that is both contemplative and active in the world.
The retreat will be led by Dr. Michael Cunningham OFS and Margaret Riley, both steeped deeply in the Franciscan tradition and regular retreat leaders at San Damiano Retreat, Danville, CA. Brother Mark Schroeder OFM will be contributing with his experience in Catholic Social Teaching. Fr. Tom West, OFM will be the presider for our Sunday services. The retreat will provide prayer and reflection time, along with some special contemplative prayer exercises held both inside and outside on our beautiful grounds. Be ready for a weekend of renewal, refreshment, and inspiration.
Laura Woodworth-Gibson, a frequent contributor to our Franciscan retreats, and her team of musicians will provide musical support throughout the weekend.
About the Presenter(s)
Dr. Michael Cunningham, OFSDr. Michael Cunningham, OFS, completed his MA in Ministry at St. John’s Seminary in Brighton, MA, and his Doctorate in Ministry at Catholic University of American, in Washington, DC. He is the Executive Director of San Damiano Retreat in Danville, CA. Michael is married with four children and eleven grandchildren and is an avid writer, retreat facilitator, photographer and motorcyclist. He is a commissioned presenter for Contemplative Outreach and a certified Spiritual Director.
Margaret has been drawn to the Franciscan Spirituality since 1983. She went to a Franciscan University and received her undergraduate degree in Theology. Then She was with the Franciscan Sisters of Penance and Christian Charity for almost 10 years. She has lived in the Bay Area since 1989 and has done parish ministry throughout the diocese since 1990. In 2004 she received a Masters degree in Pastoral Ministry from The Franciscan School of Theology in Berkeley. One of her greatest joys is being a certified Spiritual Director since 2009. She went through a 3-year certification program from the Spiritual Direction Institute founded by the Mercy Sisters of Burlingame, CA. Margaret joined the Spiritual Direction team at San Damiano in 2018 and continues to minister at San Damiano with the retreat team and Spiritual Direction. Margaret’s side hobbies (joys) are making cards from photos taken on her hikes (huge lover of nature), dog sitting, movies, (greatest joy) doting over her 20 nieces and nephews and 28 great nieces and nephews.
Mark has been a Franciscan Friar for over 40 years. He lives at San Damiano Retreat. Mark was trained in spiritual direction 25 years ago while living in Portland, Oregon. His other ministries have included social justice advocacy, teaching ecological awareness and nonviolence, and being the Guardian (local superior) in many Franciscan friaries. He enjoys leading retreats on all sorts of topics.
Mark includes a “Franciscan spin” when meeting for spiritual direction — openness to many forms of spirituality, care of Self, and the value of action in our everyday world. Mark is also active in 12 Step spirituality.
Laura Woodworth-Gibson
Laura Woodworth-Gibson is a frequent contributor to San Damiano Retreat, and is currently pursuing a Masters Degree at Franciscan School of Theology.
Laura Woodworth-Gibson has been a Cantor and Music Director specializing in liturgical music since 1975. She has served in various parishes across California and Tennessee, most recently at Mission San Luis Rey Parish in Oceanside, CA. A regular contributor at San Damiano, Laura graduated from Aquinas College in Nashville, TN, and is currently pursuing a graduate degree at the Franciscan School of Theology. She now resides in Rockland, Maine.
