Practicing Presence requires a certain amount of non-reactivity. Being able to notice and observe our own emotions allows for a space between what activates us (or triggers us) and our next thought, word, or action. The space allows us to respond skillfully rather than react choicelessly. It also creates pathways to take care of our own needs in the moment. This practicing awareness of our emotional process gives us insight into the experience of others, precisely because all of us are human. Happily, that new information we gain inside that moment of presence increases the likelihood that we can, and will, envision ourselves in someone else’s situation.
We often have the perception that nature is remote. It’s somewhere out there in the distance, and to fully access it and benefit from it we have to leave our workaday lives behind. Wherever we are, nature surrounds us and we’re a part of it.
Download Reflection here
'Spring is the season of new beginnings and spiritual renewal.'
With this intention we invite you to create a dedicated space in your home for quiet prayer and contemplation. This area can be as simple as a comfortable chair with a small table, perhaps near a window to gaze on nature while sipping your morning coffee.
Add a candle (battery works well), a cloth and a symbol or two that reflects new beginnings and renewal. This could be a cross, a stone, a picture - see what speaks to you. You might also choose to add a new symbol each week and a basket for your bible or other inspirational text. Be sure to have a journal with pen which is helpful as you embark on your personal Spring Renewal Journey. Commit to spending time here each day, allowing yourself time to rest, renew and reflect in the coming weeks,
Many people long to find meaning in their lives, to discover their true selves, and to grow closer to God and others. But sometimes, it’s hard to know just where to start. A directed retreat can help you start the process as you attempt to deepen your relationship with the divine and grow in your own personal spirituality.
Tau Center is not open to small group programs at this time. We anticipate offering in 2022.
Loving God,
We pray for the people of Ukraine,
for all those suffering or afraid,
that you will be close to them and protect them.
We pray for world leaders,
for compassion, strength and wisdom to guide their choices.
We pray for the world
that in this moment of crisis,
we may reach out in solidarity
to our brothers and sisters in need.
May we walk in your ways
so that peace and justice
become a reality for the people of Ukraine
and for all the world.
Amen.
We offer a sacred space to assist individuals on their own spiritual journey – whether it is to reconnect with their inner-spirit or whether they are seeking a deeper relationship with God and the world around them. Our programs encourage an awakening of the spirit that leads to hope, healing, peace and transformation.
Programs coming soon
by Wendell Berry
When despair for the world grows in me
and I wake in the night at the least sound
in fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought
of grief. I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting with their light. For a time
I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.
Invite family, friends, and colleagues to join our Laudato Si’ revolution!
Please check Wheaton Franciscans Website for our current COVID related announcements.
Anniversary Celebration
Day of Presence
Saturday, June 11th
More Information here
Registration is now open for the next Exploring the Franciscan Way of Life program. The next program will meet on the second Tuesday of the month beginning on Tuesday, September 13, 2022, at 7:00 p.m. Central Time (unless otherwise noted). All sessions will be held over Zoom.
For more information, click here