2021 CSA Preached Retreat
During the week of August 23, 2021, Sister Dianne Bergant, CSA, preached a spiritual retreat focused on a viewing Laudato Si’ from a Biblical perspective.
“Laudato Si’ - Care for our Common Home” is Pope Francis’ encyclical letter written in 2015 and addressed to “every person living on this planet.” The letter addresses the ecological crisis occurring on our common home, its causes, approaches to halt and reverse destruction, and why we must act.
Each of the sessions are available below and as a playlist on our YouTube channel.
Want to watch the 2020 retreat? Click here to jump where it starts on this page.
Session 1
Spiritual Retreat: Reflecting on Our Common Home
Presented by Sister Dianne Bergant, CSA
Session 1
Originally presented live on August 23, 2021 in the CSA Motherhouse in Fond du Lac, WI.
During this session, Sister Dianne, CSA, invites us to explore faith and spirituality using a metaphorical lens. Metaphors help us understand the profound. When we apply a metaphorical lens to our spiritual perspective, we open ourselves to new understandings and allow our thoughts and beliefs to expand.
Resources referenced (click the titles to read original sources)
Laudato Si'
God So Loved the Cosmos – But Do We?, Los Angeles, CA: Marymount Institute Press & Tsehai Books, 2017.
The Historical Roots of Our Ecological Crisis, Lynn White. 1967. Science 155: 1203-1207
Canticle of the Sun
Session 2
Spiritual Retreat: Reflecting on Our Common Home
Presented by Sister Dianne Bergant, CSA
Session 2
Originally presented live on August 23, 2021 in the CSA Motherhouse in Fond du Lac, WI.
During this session, Sister Dianne examines St. Francis' Canticle of the Sun with an eye focused on the three themes of Laudato Si': Anthropocentrism, Interconnectedness, and Interdependence. By avoiding radical anthropocentrism in his prayer, St. Francis helps us understand that all of creation has intrinsic value regardless of what it does for human beings and we recognize that we cannot separate ourselves from the natural word; we too are fruits of the Earth.
Resources referenced (click the titles to read original sources)
Laudato Si'
God So Loved the Cosmos – But Do We?, Los Angeles, CA: Marymount Institute Press & Tsehai Books, 2017.
Canticle of the Sun
Session 3
Spiritual Retreat: Reflecting on Our Common Home
Presented by Sister Dianne Bergant, CSA
Session 3
Originally presented live on August 24, 2021 in the CSA Motherhouse in Fond du Lac, WI.
During this session, Sister Dianne invites us to explore the concept of "Image of God" and the stories and metaphors of Genesis 1 that help us understand it. We are left with the reassurance that we are not what we thought we were and, thankfully, don't have to be.
Resources referenced (click the titles to read original sources)
Laudato Si'
God So Loved the Cosmos – But Do We?, Los Angeles, CA: Marymount Institute Press & Tsehai Books, 2017.
Canticle of the Sun
Session 4
Due to unexpected equipment malfunction, the audio for this recording has numerous flaws. We apologize for the inconvenience and hope it does not greatly impact from your retreat experience. Closed captions are being updated to ensure accuracy, but may currently have flaws.
Spiritual Retreat: Reflecting on Our Common Home
Presented by Sister Dianne Bergant, CSA
Session 4
Originally presented live on August 24, 2021 in the CSA Motherhouse in Fond du Lac, WI.
Sister Dianne continues her exploration of the "Image of God" metaphor and looks at ancient Israel's understanding of kings. She also addresses the phrase "subdue and have dominion" from Genesis 1 and explores how Paul's interpretation in his letter to the Romans can help us understand our role as God's "ambassadors."
Session 5
Due to unexpected equipment malfunction, the audio for this recording has numerous flaws. We apologize for the inconvenience and hope it does not greatly impact from your retreat experience. Closed captions are being updated to ensure accuracy, but may currently have flaws.
Spiritual Retreat: Reflecting on Our Common Home
Presented by Sister Dianne Bergant, CSA
Session 5
Originally presented live on August 25, 2021 in the CSA Motherhouse in Fond du Lac, WI.
During this session, Sister Dianne leads us in a deep dive of the second creation metaphor presented in the Bible, found in Genesis 2. Reviewing the biases present in our translation from the original Hebrew text, she illustrates how the beauty and symmetry of Hebrew poetry is vital to understanding of the oneness of all of God's creations.
Resources referenced:
The Universe Is a Green Dragon: A Cosmic Creation Story by Brian Swimme
Canticle of the Sun
Laudato Si'
The Historical Roots of Our Ecological Crisis, Lynn White. 1967. Science 155: 1203-1207
Please note: There has been a scheduling change for the live presentation of the retreat which will mean that Session 6 will not be available until 3 p.m., August 26.
Session 6
Spiritual Retreat: Reflecting on Our Common Home
Presented by Sister Dianne Bergant, CSA
Session 6
Originally presented live on August 25, 2021 in the CSA Motherhouse in Fond du Lac, WI.
Sister Dianne jumps ahead in Genesis to the story of the flood and God's covenant with Noah and his descendants. We explore the idea of controlling an "unruly sea" as a way to identify the Creator God and our willingness to trust in God's power through difficult and tragic times.
Session 7
Spiritual Retreat: Reflecting on Our Common Home
Presented by Sister Dianne Bergant, CSA
Session 7
Originally presented live on August 25, 2021 in the CSA Motherhouse in Fond du Lac, WI.
In this session, Sister Dianne helps us understand the historical context for the Sabbath. We are called to stifle our productivity and to allow everything to rest. Why? As a reminder that God is in charge.
Resources Referenced:
Evangelii gaudium; the 2013 apostolic exhortation by Pope Francis
Session 8
Spiritual Retreat: Reflecting on Our Common Home
Presented by Sister Dianne Bergant, CSA
Session 8
Originally presented live on August 26, 2021 in the CSA Motherhouse in Fond du Lac, WI.
During this session, Sister Dianne dives into the concept of interdependence. We explore how our interconnectedness naturally flows into interdependence by exploring words from the prophet Hosea and applying them to our current everyday behaviors.
Please note: Sister Dianne clarifies some remarks in the video at the beginning of Session 9.
Resources Referenced:
The House That Jack Built - https://allnurseryrhymes.com/this-is-the-house-that-jack-built/
Session 10
Spiritual Retreat: Reflecting on Our Common Home
Presented by Sister Dianne Bergant, CSA
Session 10
Originally presented live on August 27, 2021 in the CSA Motherhouse in Fond du Lac, WI.
During the final retreat session, Sister Dianne discusses ecological education and spirituality and reminds of the importance of moderation in consumption and anthropomorphism. We need both of them to survive, but they become problematic when taken to extreme or radical lengths.
Resources referenced:
Canticle of the Sun - Plus a few newly written verses it inspired for Sister Dianne
Laudato Si'
Prayers to an Evolutionary God by William Cleary
2020 CSA Preached Retreat
Theme: Staying in the Fray of Life
Created by Sister Patrice Rog, CSA, this conference is designed for a 5-day virtual spiritual retreat. The topics focus on the challenge of living fully during this unusual time. Sister Patrice provides handouts with suggestions for further reflection after each video.
Contact Sister Patrice (prog5@outlook.com) if you wish to talk with her about additional spiritual reflection.
Day 1: Priming the Pump
Day 2: Saying ‘Yes’ to God: Loss and Surrender
Saying ‘Yes’ to God: Loss and Surrender Handout
Day 3: It's All in the Attitude
It's All in the Attitude Handout
Day 4: Changing our Hearts: CONVERSION
Changing our Hearts: CONVERSION Handout
Changing our Hearts: CONVERSION - Reconciliation Prayer Service
Day 5: The Immune System of the Human Spirit
The Immune System of the Human Spirit Handout
Your feedback on this retreat experience is greatly appreciated. Please complete the survey at the link below:
