What's Happening

July 7, 2023, Adrian, Michigan – Do you envision mystics as people who lived in the distant past and had unique visions of God? A Retreat on the Mystics: Thomas Berry and Evelyn Underhill, offers participants the opportunity to learn about and reflect on two mystics who taught that mysticism and contemplation are available to anyone.

A Retreat on the Mystics is from 7:00 p.m. Sunday, July 23, 2023, through 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 26, 2023, at Weber Retreat and Conference Center. The focus is on two mystics:

    •    Thomas Berry (1914-2009), a Catholic priest, cultural historian, and author of The Dream of the Earth, urged that humanity return to a deeper knowing and seek guidance from the ultimate powers of the universe as they make themselves present to us. Sister Gail Worcelo, SGM, co-founder of the Sisters of the Earth Community, offers the presentation on Thomas Berry and on his belief that we are in an emerging geobiological era in which humanity learns to live as mutually enhancing members of the Earth community.

    •    Evelyn Underhill (1875-1941) was an English mystic, theologian, spiritual director, and pacificist who wrote 39 books on spirituality. She insisted that contemplative prayer – which she understood as union with Reality – is possible for everyone. Sister Patricia Walter, OP, former Prioress of the Adrian Dominican Sisters and an educator, author, and preacher, offers the presentation on Evelyn Underhill. 

The cost – which includes all meals for overnight guests and lunch for commuters – is $180 for commuters, $280 per person double occupancy, and $380 for single occupancy. Registration is required and is available at www.webercenter.org; click on “programs.” Registrations may also be made by calling 517-266-4000 or emailing [email protected]. Limited scholarships are available.

Weber Center is on the campus of the Adrian Dominican Sisters’ Motherhouse, Adrian, Michigan. Traveling east on Siena Heights Drive, pass the Adrian Rea Literacy Center and turn left just before the solar panel-covered parking lot. Follow the signs to Weber Center. For information, call the Weber Center at 517-266-4000.

September 8, 2019, Adrian, Michigan – Renny Golden, poet and social justice activist, shares selections from her latest book of poetry, The Music of Her Rivers, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, September 26, 2019, at Weber Retreat and Conference Center.

A former Adrian Dominican Sister, Renny co-founded the Chicago Religious Task Force on Central America and spent time in El Salvador accompanying refugees seeking sanctuary. In addition, she was co-founder of the Dorothy Stang Popular Education Adult High School in Chicago, named for the Sister of Notre Dame de Namur who was killed in 2005 while protecting the Amazon Rain Forest and its indigent people. The bilingual school serves older immigrants.

Professor Emerita of Northeastern Illinois University, Renny has won awards for her poetry, including the Women’s Studies Award from Crossroads Publishing.

Renny’s book will be available for purchase and the evening will include a book signing. The poetry reading is free and open to all. No registration is required. 

Weber Center is on the campus of the Adrian Dominican Sisters’ Motherhouse, 1257 E. Siena Heights Drive, Adrian. Enter the Eastern-most driveway of the complex and follow the signs to Weber Center. For information, call the Weber Center at 517-266-4000.