Prayer and Transformation

Contemplative spirituality would agree with the devotional school of spirituality in saying that constant  change or conversion, the biblical reality of Metanoia, is a necessary imperative in the spiritual life. But whereas devotional spirituality would want to think of such change as primarily in terms of behaviour, contemplative spirituality, without being unmindful of this kind of change, would tend to stress the need for change in consciousness. It is not enough that we behave better; we must come to see reality differently. We must learn to see the depths of things, not just reality at a superficial level.This especially means we need to see the non-separateness of the world from God and the oneness of all reality in God: the Hidden Ground of Love in all that is. Prayer is a kind of corrective lens that does away with the distorted view of reality that, for some mysterious reason, seems to be my normal vision, and enables me to see what is as it really is.

-From Silence on fire by William H. Shannon

A CHALLENGE FOR CHRISTIANS TODAY

What the world longs for from the Christian religion is the witness of men and women daring enough to be different, humble enough to make mistakes, wild enough to be burned in the fire of love, real enough to make others see how unreal they are. Jesus, Son of the Living God, anoint us with fire this day. Let your word not just shine in our hearts, but let it burn. Let there be no division, compromise, or holding back. Separate the mystics from the romantics, and goad us to that daredevil leap into the abyss of your love.

                                                                      From Reflections for Ragamuffins by Brennan Manning

A TIMELY REMINDER FROM ANTHONY DE MELLO

Here then is another reason why apostles withdraw to make a retreat; they need to be charged with the Holy Spirit.The Holy Spirit is given to those who watch and pray and wait patiently, those who have the courage to get away from everything and get to grips with themselves and with God in solitude and silence. No wonder every one of the great prophets, and indeed Jesus himself, retired to the desert for long periods of silence, prayer, fasting, wrestling with the forces of evil. The desert is the furnace where the apostle and the prophet are forged. The desert and not the marketplace. The marketplace is where apostles function. The desert is where they are formed and seasoned and receive their commission and their message for their world, "their" gospel. (Emphasis mine)

-From Contact with God by Anthony De Mello

Hearts on Fire Course in Northen Suburbs - Durbanville - from 25th July to 29th August 2017,

Hearts on Fire Course in Northern Suburbs - Durbanville - from 25th July to 29th August. Lovely introduction to the rhythm of Ignatian Spirituality. If you are interested in joining us or would like to know more please contact David Newton on 0725865241

3 day Silent Retreat March 2017

Very special retreat with some amazing people. Thanks you guys for coming!!

TWO SPACES AVAILABLE ON MARCH RETREAT

Two spaces have just become available on the Silent Retreat at Volmoed from 13-16 March 2017. If anyone is interested in coming please contact David Newton at newtond@telkomsa.net or on 0725865241 as soon as possible and I will send you a form. Cost is R1199.

URGENT AND IMPORTANT!!! CHANGE OF DATE FOR FIRST RETREAT OF THE YEAR

The date advertised for the first retreat of the year needs to change to a week later i.e. 13 to 16th March.

If you are interested in coming please let me know and I will send you a form and let you know about costs etc.

David Newton
Phones: 021 9198322 (h) and 0725865241 (c)
Email:   newtond@telkomsa.net

SILENT RETREATS FOR 2017

The following are the dates for Three-day Ignatian Individually Guided Silent Retreats for 2017. As always these retreats are a time for the participants to spend time with God, and themselves, renewing their sense of call and vocation. The focus in these retreats is on the individual and their journey, and the different forms of listening prayer are taught and experienced. There are daily meetings with the Spiritual Director, and we share daily in the Sacrament of Holy Communion.

6-9 March 2017
12-15 June2017
11-14 September 2017
6-9 November 2017

If you would like to book a place on any one of these, or receive notice of them as upcoming events a few months before, please let me know and I will send you forms or place your name on the circulation list for notification.

Contact details:

David Newton
Tel:        021-9198322
Cell:      0725865241
Email:   newtond@telkomsa.net
Skype:   newtey