To register for any of the the following events, contact Heartland Center for Spirituality, 3600 Broadway, Great Bend, KS 67530; (620) 792-1232; or email office@heartlandspirituality.org.

The Incarnation and Paschal Mystery in Dominican Spirituality

Time: July 17-23;

Sunday 7 p.m. - Saturday noon

Instructor: Father Bob Staes, OP

Retreat: $175; Room and Board: $165

"This retreat focuses on Dominican spirituality; tying the Incarnation to the Paschal Mystery and helping us find our way in between. There will be ample room to find the contemplatio and veritas of our Dominican tradition. Father Staes served 15 years as a diocesan priest before entering the Order of Preachers. He brings this experience and that of a teacher, campus minister and graphic artist to retreat leadership. Most recently he was professor of homiletics at St. Thomas Seminary in Denver."

Theology Institute 2005

‘Opening to God’s Present’

Time: June 3 - 4; Friday 7 p.m. - Saturday 4 p.m.

Instructor: Philip St. Romain D. Min.

Cost: $45 (includes overnight lodging, breakfast and lunch)

"This retreat will explore different ways we can open ourselves to God by reflecting on how God is present to us and working to guide our lives. Three retreat conferences will provide teaching on disciplines that enable growing awareness of God. Prayerful silence will be kept between conferences."

‘Experiential Reflection

on the Earth Charter Principles’

Time: June 24-28;

Friday 7 p.m. - Tuesday noon

Instructor: Sister Elaine Prevallet SL

Cost: $250 for sessions and room and board; $165 commuter fee

"During this institute we reflect on the challenges we face as we try to integrate Scripture, theology and the new cosmology into our faith and our sense of Christian identity. Our hope is for an awakening of reverence for a life lived in harmony with the Earth Charter principles and a joyful experience of creation’s clear revelation of the Holy. Sister Elaine Prevallet SL, has an M.A. in Theology and a Ph.D. in Religious Studies from Marquette University. She is a writer, lecturer, and currently a spiritual director and retreat leader. Jerry Weaver honors his Cherokee heritage and his reverence for all creation by making Native-American type drums that are enhanced with design and sculpture. Joan Weaver is a poet, teacher, fiber artist, author and professional actress who portrays ‘fiber celebrities’ from the Bible and world literature."

For more information, see their website:www. drumranch.com."

At the conclusion of every Mass, the celebrant blesses and encourages each person to venture out into the world and live the Eucharist just received. This "sending forth" is the focus of the 7th Annual Summer Theology Institute being held at the Spiritual Life Center in Wichita. This year’s theme is reflected in the institute title, "Go in Peace to Love and Serve the Lord: Living the Catholic Faith Beyond the Church Doors."

This year’s institute begins with a keynote address the evening of Thursday, July 14 and continues with two days of classes on Friday and Saturday, July 15 and 16. The Institute was created in 1998 as a way to give catechists, RCIA team members and Catholics throughout the Midwest an opportunity to explore the depths of their faith in a dynamic and supportive environment.

"Our chosen theme this year is both important and ambitious," explains Jerrilyn Holladay, Director of Adult Education at the Spiritual Life Center and the driving force behind the institute. "What we want to explore are the practical ways we can ‘love and serve the Lord’ in everyday life. This doesn’t mean we have to knock on doors or stand on the street corner asking people if they’ve been saved. But it does mean we need to live our lives as ‘imitators of Christ’ (Eph 5:1) and be ready to share with others the source of our joy."

Registration for the 2005 Summer Theology Institute is now underway and can be made by contacting the Spiritual Life Center at (316) 744-0167, or by e-mail, SLC@SLCWichita.org. A discounted "earlybird" fee is available through June 18 and financial assistance to cover tuition, based on need, is available.