 |
|||||||||
 |
|||||||||
|
|||||||||
October
23, 2006
VOL.
44, NO. 18Oakland,
CA
San Damiano celebrates 45 years as retreat center
If St. Francis
were living today, he might be tempted to take a little vacation from
Assisi and join all the folks who come to San Damiano Retreat Center for
private retreats and spiritual workshops.
Each year, the Franciscan enclave in Danville draws over 25,000 visitors
to its quiet, scenic grounds with a stunning view of Mount Diablo.
Franciscan Father Ray Bucher, director, has seen an increase in the numbers
of people who arrive at San Damiano for a few days of respite.
“They are coming to realize that silence is a luxury today, one
that it is badly needed in order to listen to what God wants to tell us,”
he said. Spiritual directors are on staff to provide guidance.
The center also hosts numerous group retreats and workshops on theology
and spiritual life led by a variety of teachers and facilitators. It welcomes
both ecumenical and interfaith groups to its campus, as well as businesses
and non-profit organizations who want to meet for planning and visioning
sessions.
Whoever shows up, though, has to switch off their cell phone. “I
tell people, ‘turn it off.’ You have a right to your own time,’”
Father Bucher said.
The center
celebrated its 45th birthday on Oct. 1. Over 300 friends gathered for
food, music and a silent auction to raise funds to replace San Damiano’s
outdated boiler system.
It will be the latest in a series of major improvements. In recent years,
the center installed 78 low-flow water toilets, switched to energy-efficient
light bulbs, and added an organic garden and compost. Last summer, San
Damiano installed a labyrinth in the middle of the garden for retreatants
who are drawn to walking meditations.
The San Damiano of today is 180 degrees different from the time of its
founding. In 1961, the center was a males-only place which offered silent
retreats. Retreatants listened to speakers. “There was no process
involved,” recalls Father Bucher.
After Vatican II, however, San Damiano gradually turned into a meeting
place for priests, Sisters, and laity seeking to understand and adopt
the Council’s reforms. Retreats were opened up to women.
Themes have since expanded to include everything from meditation to 12-step
recovery weekends to peacemaking and environmentalism.
Last spring, for example, Buddhist scholar and ecologist Joanna Macy presented
a weekend retreat that was “marvelous,” said the priest. “She
was very well received.”
He is particularly excited about the lineup of upcoming retreat offerings.
This weekend, Oct. 27-29, Patricia Livingston, a counselor, author and
former associate director of the Center for Continuing Formation Ministry
at the University of Notre Dame, will facilitate a men’s and women’s
retreat on the mysterious truth of the beatitudes.
On Oct. 28, a group of parish ministers will gather with Holy Names Sister
Molly Neville for a day of prayer and reflection.
Other future presenters include Sister Ishpriya, a member of the Society
of the Sacred Heart, who for many years has been a Christian presence
among Hindu Sanyasis. Like the late Father Bede Griffiths, she is committed
to interfaith dialogue.
Also on the schedule are Benedictine Father Lawrence Freeman, a teacher
of Christian meditation, and Franciscan Father Richard Rohr, author and
founder of the Center for Action and Contemplation in Albuquerque, New
Mexico.
As diverse as the speakers are, each of them furthers in his or her own
way the presence of hope, “which is the Franciscan way. We are here
to give the people hope,” Father Bucher said.
For further information about upcoming retreats, call (925) 837-9141,
or visit www.sandamiano.org.
Among San Damiano’s newest additions is a stone-lined
labyrinth for retreatants drawn to walking meditation. The labyrinth sits
in the center of an organic garden. St. Francis of Assisi would probably
be pleased that one of the retreat center's cats walks the labyrinth,
too.
SAN DAMIANO PHOTO
