November 30 to December 7
Design Your Own Retreat Days
Design Your Own Retreat Days

Look at your calendar to see what days you could come for time at Stella Maris between Nov. 30 and December 7 and design your own retreat this month.  You could add overnight experience to any of the programs listed or extend your stay after or before the Advent retreat weekend.  Stay for several nights while attending the day programs or ask if a director is available for quiet time with personal direction.

November 30 to December 2
Advent Retreat Weekend: Backstage at Christmas
Presented by Sister Pat, Co-Program Director for Stella
Maris Retreat & Renewal Center

There was a lot of preparation for the original Christmas Pageant.  God did immense planning to capture our imagination and our hearts by coming among us as a helpless baby.  Come and experience the Christmas story again through the lives of the leading characters.

December 1
Advent Reteat Day
Presented by Sister Pat Larkin, OSF, Co-Program Director for Stella Maris
We will travel with Mary, Joseph and the Magi on their journey to Bethlehem observing how God works in their lives. We will see that God invites everyone. God awaits our response today to continue to show the great love expressed on the First Christmas.
9:00 am to 3:00 pm

December 3
Five Feasts of the Child Jesus
Presented by Sister Pat Larkin, OSF, Co-Program Director for Stella Maris
St. Bonaventure was a spiritual guide. His preaching and writings helped many to draw closer to God. His brief meditations in the booklet, Bringing Forth Christ, include: the Annunciation, Birth of the Child Jesus, Naming the Child Jesus, Visit of the Magi, and the Presentation of the Child in the Temple. Through reflection on these events, we prepare for the Christmas season.
9:00 am to 3:00 pm

December 5
Preparing for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception
Presented by Sister Pat Larkin, OSF, Co-Program Director for Stella Maris
Although Mary’s Immaculate Conception was believed since the early church times, it’s proclamation as a dogma of our faith did not occur until December 8, 1854.  After a presentation outlining the history of the feast we will view two movies through which we will we will learn about Blessed John Duns Scotus who argued for this dogma during  the middle ages and St. Bernadette Soubirous whose witness to the appearance of Our  Lady who said, “I am the Immaculate Conception” helped to spread devotion to this feast.
10:00 am to 3:00 pm

December 6
From St. Nicholas the person to St. Nicholas the Myth
Presented by Sister Pat Larkin, OSF, Co-Program Director for Stella Maris
Most people know that our Santa Claus today originated from St. Nicholas  but the derivation of the Santa Claus  story comes from many sources. Come and hear the legends and stories from many nations that preceded our American customs.
10:00 am to 3:00 pm

December 10
Christmas Card Writing Day
Presented by Sister Concetta Fabo, OSF, Co-Program Director for Stella Maris
How would you enjoy sitting comfortably at a table to write your cards in a peaceful, secluded place where there is soft Christmas music playing in the background?  The view of the lake outside is beautiful—and perhaps, the snow is quietly falling and transforming the view into a winter wonderland. No telephones are ringing; no doorbells are interrupting; no meal preparations are calling; the only activity is focusing on writing cards to family and friends.  Muse, as you will, over messages of love, care, affection and memories. You are invited to do this in our lovely Conference Room at Stella Maris.

December 13
A Day with Our Lady
Presented by Sister Concetta Fabo, OSF, Co-Program Director for Stella Maris
This Advent, come and spend a day in prayer and reflection as we celebrate the gift of Our Lady, Mother Mary. Two short presentations will be given. One will be a visit to Mary in Scripture.  How well do you really know Jesus’ Jewish mother? Can we imagine what Mary’s advent was like?  Another presentation will be a visit with Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas, the pregnant Mary. Who is this woman of the Americas?  What new insights can we learn about her from her visit to our part of the world? This Advent you are invited to spend some special time with Our Lady.  Don’t miss this opportunity!

December 7 to 9 & December 14 to 16
Noel Retreats

The Noel Retreat for women is an opportunity to rediscover the 12 Steps at a deeper level.  This time away is a gift to yourself to be still and to reconnect with your power to change.  Conference will include the peace of the lived moment, the freedom to let go, the art of listening to yourself, and the empowerment of gratitude.  The program opens with dinner at 6:00 pm and ends on Sunday morning. 
Dec. 7 to 9 facilitated by Mary Gleason;
December 14 to 16 facilitated by Sister Ellie Martinez.

December 20
Prayer Shawl Ministry
"You knit me in my mother's womb." (Psalm 139.13)
The Prayer Shawl Ministry knitters and crocheters will gather once again from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. on the third Thursdays of each month from September through May.  New members, experienced as well as inexperienced, are most welcome to join this group.  We will begin a new year with a blessing ritual of hands, needles, yarn, knitting and crocheting patterns and other materials. A common project done for others will be chosen by the group.  This past year, afghans, each one unique and beautifully made of red, white and blue yarn, were made for veterans at Veterans Hospital.  Please join us with your talents, time and ideas for creating some morale boosters for some unsuspecting recipients—of your choice!

Please call Sister Concetta for further information.

December 31
New Year's Eve Retreat
With Sister Pat Larkin, OSF, Co-Program Director

Gratefully join in hope together by praying in the New Year.  New Year’s Eve is a good time to look back on our past and forward to our future with eyes of faith, in company with one another and with God. Start this New Year by taking time apart to seek the blessings of the Lord. We will have time to pray, reflect and begin the New Year in a special way- giving thanks for all we have and asking God for blessings on our future. We will begin at 1:30 and conclude at 4:30. Overnight arrangements can be made ending with breakfast at 8am.
$15 for Day; Day & Overnight $50.00