RETREAT SITE TO WELCOME FALL ALL INVITED FOR SPIRITUAL REFLECTION, LABYRINTH WALK.ENCINO - It may feel like summer but autumn begins at 4:05 p.m. today, and all faiths are invited to celebrate the autumnal equinox equinox (ē`kwĭnŏks), either of two points on the celestial sphere where the ecliptic and the celestial equator intersect. The vernal equinox, also known as "the first point of Aries," is the point at which the sun appears to cross the with seasonal readings and a meditative walk tonight at Holy Spirit Retreat Center. The center will invite visitors to its labyrinth, a nearly 40-by-40 foot canvas that offers a route where they can walk and meditate med·i·tate v. med·i·tat·ed, med·i·tat·ing, med·i·tates v.tr. 1. To reflect on; contemplate. 2. To plan in the mind; intend: meditated a visit to her daughter. along the way as they head toward the rose-petal center. ``We will focus on the theme of thanksgiving for the season,'' said Michael O'Palko, a volunteer on the program committee at the Retreat, a ministry of the Sisters of Social Service. ``The labyrinth is a meditative tool. It's not a maze. It has no dead ends. It's a singular path where you walk in and out along a path,'' said O'Palko. ``Walking a labyrinth is a communal experience of silent prayer. It's a peaceful, meditative walk.'' Following the autumnal presentations in the chapel, the evening will progress outside to the labyrinth, which will be illuminated by votive candles. Veteran walkers start on their journey to the center, offering suggestions for novices on meditations to consider. ``We'll begin in the chapel with some readings, poetry and some Scripture that pertain to pertain to verb relate to, concern, refer to, regard, be part of, belong to, apply to, bear on, befit, be relevant to, be appropriate to, appertain to autumn,'' said psychotherapist psy·cho·ther·a·pist n. An individual, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, psychiatric nurse, or psychiatric social worker, who practices psychotherapy. Josie Broehm, also a volunteer on the program committee. ``We will talk about harvest time Noun 1. harvest time - the season for gathering crops harvest farming, husbandry, agriculture - the practice of cultivating the land or raising stock , respect for the Earth and about being grateful for what we have. Respecting and honoring those people who died last week will be on our minds.'' The labyrinth is a canvas reproduction of the pattern arranged on the floor of Chartres Cathedral Chartres Cathedral Cathedral of Notre-Dame at Chartres, one of the most influential examples of High Gothic architecture. The main part of this great cathedral was built between 1194 and 1220. in France. The has a purple outline for the circular pattern and a white pathway to walk. The labyrinth was dedicated at the retreat in October 1998. The heavy canvas is divided into three sections and stuck together with Velcro. ``We ask them to consider what are the questions in their lives. They take that question into the center. Some people stay in the center for a few minutes, some for 20 minutes,'' Broehm said. ``We tell them that by the time they have walked out their question has been heard.'' The retreat has rolled out the labyrinth for a Thanksgiving program, New Year's Day New Year's Day, among ancient peoples the first day of the year frequently corresponded to the vernal or autumnal equinox, or to the summer or winter solstice. In the Middle Ages it was celebrated among Christians usually on Mar. 25. , the summer solstice and on request from groups who come on retreat. O'Palko, the lay director of campus ministry at Notre Dame High School Notre Dame is the name of the following high (secondary) schools: Bangladesh
Walking to the center is the purging stage, where ``you go into another world.'' The illuminative il·lu·mi·na·tive adj. Of, causing, or capable of causing illumination. stage, uniting with God, is in the center. The unitive u·ni·tive adj. Serving to unite; tending to promote unity. stage comes as you retrace the steps back out of the labyrinth and into the world again. The walk is done without shoes to preserve the canvas. The walk is done in silence but ``gentle music'' will be played in the background. Those involved say the experience leaves the pilgrim with an encounter with their deeper self. ``Some people come out feeling peaceful. Some people say they didn't feel anything after the walk. One woman told me, after the Thanksgiving walk last year, that she felt such a sense of 'connectedness' with others,'' Broehm said. ``In the silence there is a tremendous sense of unity. The quiet is our greatest prayer.'' O'Palko said if he isn't walking with something specific in mind, he simply considers the question: What do I need now? ``Some people think of a loved one or of a problem in their life. Some people walk it for peace. This time people will walk it for this new season or for those who died last week,'' O'Palko said. ``You'll find the reason when you walk. It's all different for everyone. It's how God is going to speak with you.'' The Autumnal Equinox Labyrinth Walk will be held from 7 to 10 p.m. today. An offering will be taken. Holy Spirit Retreat Center, 4316 Lanai Lanai (lənī`), island, 141 sq mi (365 sq km), central Hawaii, W of Maui island across the Auau Channel; Mt. Lanaihale (3,370 ft/1,027 m) is the island's highest point. For many years the island was used for sugarcane raising and cattle grazing. Road, Encino. Call (818) 784-4515. CAPTION(S): photo Photo: ``The labyrinth is a meditative tool. It's not a maze. It has no dead ends. It's a singular path where you walk in and out along a path. Walking a labyrinth is a communal experience of silent prayer. It's a peaceful, meditative walk.'' - Michael O'Palko volunteer at Holy Spirit Retreat Center |
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