Integritas - Ut Unum Sint

These evenings of contemplative prayer and reflection concentrate upon what are the essential features of the Christian life in an era in which our Christian identity is increasingly forgotten. The purpose of these evenings is to explore the basis for a practical renewal of the Christian vision which integrates what is proclaimed by the Church and actualised in liturgical celebration with what is realised in personal, spiritual practice. Between January and July of this year, the following themes will be contemplatively explored :-

The realisation of the unique vocation of each individual person

This next theme to be explored relates to how each one of us is called to embark upon a hero’s journey, to live the life that only each one of us can, which is guided by the still, small voice within that is heard in contemplative prayer. The importance of the practice of discernment will be emphasised as the way in which we can know whether we are following the calling of God in our lives.

The re-establishment of the household as a centre of Christian faith

If we are to follow our calling in life, we need to be sustained by love and care. The primary place where care and love is experienced is in the family home. This theme will focus upon the importance of marriage, parenting and home making as the place where love is first experienced by the human person.

The restoration of Christian faith in public life

The place of Christian faith in public life will be explored by reference to the central institutions that form society, namely marriage, the legal system, the Church and the political system. The Christian foundations of each of these institutions will be reflected upon.

Building new models of Church

During the months of May and June, these evenings will concentrate upon how the Church can be renewed so that it is in service of the essential elements of Christian life. The Eucharist as the central and culminating experience of the Christian life will be reflected upon. The renewal of two models of Church will also be explored, namely the established parish based model of Church and the forgotten model of Church, the domestic model, rooted in the household and in marital and family life.

The anchor of Christian life in a secular age

These evenings will culminate in the month of July by reflecting upon how Jesus Christ is the centre who holds and who draws all into the enfolding love of the Trinity. This aspiration will be practically grounded by exploring three essential practices for the Christian life, namely the practices of being still, being reflective and being discerning. A small card outlining these practices will also be disseminated at the conclusion of this series of evenings.

SCRIPTURE AND THEOLOGY STUDY GROUP
MEETING ON THE THIRD THURSDAY OF EACH MONTH AT 7.30pm

This group is open to anyone to join at any time. It currently meets to reflect upon the Gospel of St. John and to share how this Gospel speaks to our personal experience. This group is guided throughout the year by Professor Sean Freyne.

Thursday, January 19th, 2012 at 7.30 p.m.

(This evening will be held at the home of a member of this group and not at this centre. Please therefore make contact if you intend attending at this evening and are not aware of the location where it will be held.

Victory of Life over Death (John 11 : 1 – 53)
Life through Death – The Meaning of the Cross (John 12 : 1 – 36)
Epilogue to the Book of Signs (John 12 : 37 – 50)

Thursday, February 16th, 2012 at 7.30 p.m. (Suggested contribution €10.00)

An introduction will be given on this evening by Desmond O’Donnell OMI to the text by Prof. Jose A. Pagola entitled ‘Jesus : An historical approximation’ (Convivium Press 2009). This text provides a provocative portrayal of the life of Jesus which is stimulating for discussion.

Thursday, March 15th, 2012 at 7.30 p.m.

The Farewell Discourses (John 13 to John 17)

Thursday, April 19th, 2012 at 7.30 p.m.

An Introduction to the Letters of St. Paul, with Prof. Sean Freyne (Suggested contribution : € 10.00

This evening will provide an overview of the nature and significance of the letters of St. Paul as an introduction to the group reading and reflecting upon them later in the year.

SEMINARS AND EVENTS
JANUARY 2012 to MAY 2012

‘CONTEMPLATING ICONS’ on Thursday, January 12th, 2012 at 7.30 p.m.

An icon is like a window, opening on to the invisible, spiritual world. This evening will offer an introduction to icons and prayer and will centre upon a film/documentary which is a reflective presentation that delves into the symbolism and theological insight that makes icons such a significant aspect of our Christian heritage. The eights icons of the Integritas centre, written by the hand of the late Fr. John Reynolds, will also be introduced, together with a written reflection of the late Eltin Griffin O. Carm. about one of these icons, being the Icon of the Crucifixion.

‘NOURISHING ONE’S FAITH IN A CHANGED IRISH CULTURE’
with Rev. Eamonn Conway, D.D., on Saturday, January 28th, 2012 at 10 a.m.
(Suggested contribution €50.00).

This day will explore the utterly changed Irish context for the expression of one’s Christian faith. It will concentrate upon what is meant by culture and how it impacts upon one’s religious practices. Specific attention will be given to what is currently happening in Irish culture and its corresponding effect upon the practice of Christian faith. Emphasis will be placed upon the seminal work of Charles Taylor ‘A Secular Age’ (2007) in searching for a deeper understanding of how best to respond to the decline of religious practice and the effect of secularisation. Eamonn Conway is a professor and head of department, Theology and Religious Studies, Mary Immaculate College, University of Limerick.
Please book a place for this day as lunch will be provided.

‘JESUS : AN HISTORICAL APPROXIMATION’
with Desmond O’Donnell OMI, Thursday, February 16th, 2012 at 7.30 p.m. (Suggested contribution €10.00)

An introduction to the text by Prof. Jose A. Pagola entitled ‘Jesus : An historical approximation’ (Convivium Press 2009) will be given by Desmond O’Donnell OMI. This text provides a provocative portrayal of the life of Jesus which is stimulating for deeper reflection upon who He is.

‘THE ART OF ALLOWING –THE BREATH IN MEDITATION AND IN LIFE’
with Louis Hughes O.P. on Saturday, February 25th, 2012 at 10.00 a.m. (Suggested contribution of €50.00 for the day).

During this day course, Louis Hughes O.P. will introduce a practice of prayer and meditation with the breath which responds to the stressful and hectic nature of daily life. It will explore how the body and mind can be relaxed and calmed through breathing exercises and body postures which are rooted in Christian faith. Please book a place for this day as lunch will be provided.

‘LIVING WITHIN THE HOLDING ENVIRONMENT’
with Peter Hannan S.J. on Thursday, March 29th, 2012 at 7.30 p.m. (Suggested contribution €10.00)

The Greek saying that “it is care that makes and sustains us” is true only if we learn to truly see and believe in the care or love that we receive from others. During this evening, we will look at how we can learn to believe in and assimilate the call of the Gospel to believe that we are loved through a practice of prayer which savours the experiences of being held and loved that we encounter in daily life.

‘THE SEVEN LAST WORDS’
Good Friday, April 6th, 2012 from 6.00 p.m. to 9.30 p.m.

This evening will involve seven half-hourly meditations on each of the sayings of Jesus upon the Cross, commencing on each hour and half-hour, centering upon the Icon of the Crucifixion. Please come and go during this evening as suits. Tea and coffee will be available in the reception room throughout its duration.

‘AN INTRODUCTION TO THE LETTERS OF ST. PAUL’
with Professor Sean Freyne, Thursday, April 19th, 2012 at 7.30 p.m. (Suggested contribution €10.00)

This evening will provide an overview of the nature and significance of the letters of St. Paul and will act as an introduction, in anticipation of them being reflected upon by the scripture and theology study group later in the year.

“HAPPINESS AND THE SPIRITUAL SEARCH FOR MEANING”
with Dr. Stephen Costello, Saturday, May 5th, 2012 at 10.00 a.m.

This day will consist of a series of lectures and experiential exercises exploring the search for meaning and purpose in our lives. The practice of philosophical counselling will be introduced with particular emphasis upon the writings of Viktor Frankl and Eric Voeglin. According to the German philosopher Eric Voeglin, Frankl renewed the older practice of philosophy understood as a spiritual exercise. Stephen Costello is an author, lecturer and psychoanalyst. He is a member of the international faculty of the Viktor Frankl Institute of Logotherapy and has established a training programme and an institute in the work of Viktor Frankl in this country. Please book a place for this day as lunch will be provided.