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As a much neglected, sometimes
feared, frequently misunderstood Sacrament,
Reconciliation is a precious, heavenly gem waiting to be
discovered or rediscovered by Catholics. The grace of
this Sacrament is most powerful. After hosting this
eye-opening talk or extended workshop, parishes across
the country have seen many of their members decide to
receive the grace of Confession regularly. Through
inspirational tales and an oft-requested guided
meditation, parishioners are guided into deep prayer and
reintroduced to the soothing, healing forgiveness of
Jesus Himself.
God is Love
Our hearts hunger for love. We all
have a passionate longing to know that we count in the
eyes of someone special-- that we are loved, valued and
the source of delight for another. The persistent cry
of the heart, "Do you love me?" when left unanswered,
leads us to destructive behaviors and thoughts that gnaw
at the core of our souls. God's persistent answer to our
cry is a resounding "Yes!" Our open acceptance of this
"Yes!" allows God to enter us, inspire us, and pour
Himself through us onto the surrounding world. This talk
or extended workshop is based upon Pope Benedict XVI's
first encyclical, Deus Caritas Est (God is Love).
Visions of the Blessed Mother, Queen of Heaven and Earth
The famous Marian apparitions such
as those of Fatima, Lourdes, Betania, and Medjugorje,
embody themes reminiscent of the Gospel of Jesus Christ,
of the great patriarchs and prophets. Although Mary
remains the hidden masterpiece of the Divine Mind, her
apparitions are a glimpse into the unfathomable depths
of God's love and mercy. Now, more than ever, Mary is
vying for our attention, asking us to come back to God.
Since the 1980's, reported visions of Mary have
proliferated throughout the world. What is Mary saying
to us, and how can her words change our lives? How can
we connect with our Mother in Heaven, feel her
transforming caress, experience her transcendent love?
This experiential workshop is an answer to Mary's pleas.
Come learn of the path she is laying out for us that
leads us ever closer to her Son.
Spiritual Direction and
Discernment (How do I know what God is saying to me?)
This talk, a condensed version of the Making Holy Choices retreat (see above), is for people truly seeking to discern the will of God in their lives. With an extensive background in Ignatian spirituality and several years working as a spiritual director, Mrs. Watkins offers helpful insights into the various forms of God's communication with us, insights that every Christian needs to know to better navigate life. Sharing surprising, true stories, she reveals how challenging and fruitful spiritual discernment can be. Participants will come away with a greater understanding of how to discern when God is speaking to them, what He is saying, and how to follow Him in peace.
Other topics include:
- The Four Parts of the Mass
- Spiritual Gifts: The Charisms of the Holy Spirit
- Medjugorje
- Ecumenism
- Women's Spirituality
- Prayer
- Dancing with God
- God's Unfathomable Love
- The Afterlife
- Living your faith fully
- Sharing your faith
- Transforming the world in Christ
Presentations normally last
for one hour and can be delivered as keynote talks or
expanded for retreat settings. Additional projects
exist or can be developed for your particular group.
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