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September 2009
The Journeyer
Mary's Hope Workshops Newsletter |
Upcoming events listed below....check them out!
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Some Humble Comments about my Weekend Retreat
I came to Mary's Hope in February 2009 in a
small town in South Texas, Castroville.
I lived nearby but had never even driven through the town. As I drove there from my home in the Hill
Country, I pondered about my going to this Moye Center, a spiritual place, to
be with a group of people regarding childhood wounds and trauma. Not the kind of wounds people see when you
wear bandages, but the wounds you hide, sometimes even from yourself.
When I
arrived, they were serving a light dinner of soup, sandwiches and tea,
etc. I sat down at a table next to a
lady with short gray hair, a pleasant enough face, I thought. She turned to me and asked, "So, what brings
you here to the Moye Center and Mary's Hope Workshop?" I had intended to wear my professional armor,
because I am a professional therapist and work with children. But as she spoke, something inside of me was
disarmed; and as I spoke, I was surprised at my openness with my private secret
inside. I said to her, "I'm a survivor
and a therapist." There, I had said it,
to a perfect stranger, shared my secret, now there was no turning back, for now
Sherry N. knew me. I had only to forge
forward on the journey God had led me to.
I've been in practice as a therapist for 29 years but I've practiced
keeping my secret from others for many many more years. Now at 62 y/o, I'm beginning to allow God to
heal my soul and spirit.
I've always felt God had
abandoned me and turned his back on me, allowing these things to happen. My journey towards Hope began 14 years ago,
when I found myself on my knees crying, "God, I can't do this alone anymore."
In February 2009 I arrived in this simple little town, packing my bag to
stay overnight. I've always run so well,
this time I wanted no excuse to keep me from the rest of the weekend's journey
in this two story humble yet elegant convent of Divine Providence.  It was to become a weekend of acknowledging,
not just the emotional wounds, but the spiritual emptiness I had always felt. Free will, a curious gift He gave to man; His
Spirit and His Son to walk WITH me and others now, to understand the hole and
betrayal I felt in my soul, and to be the One to care for it and me.
My weekend
with Mary's Hope, its leaders, and those who share similar, if not worse
wounds, has helped me on my life's path.
It helped me to see, I have not been alone and being alone no longer,
the walls, the tough fight and façade of who I had developed could begin to
dissolve. I could allow God in, to care for my inner being. A journey of healing spiritually and truly
knowing God is with me and that He always has been. Fifteen years of therapy had helped me
'understand' my emotions and defense mechanisms; Mary's Hope helped me face my
spiritual wound, why the aloneness and loneliness that I had traveled with for
so long, no longer need reside in me. Now,
I first turn to God for love, for I know, He is the lover of my soul and with
me through thick and thin.
---Catherine
Parten, survivor, mother, grandmother, therapist, one loved by and loves God.
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Where in the World will you find Mary's Hope Workshops Next????
Ardmore, OK
St. Philip's Episcopal Church,
516 McLish, Ardmore, OK 73401.
Overview of the Wounded Soul
September 24, 2009 7:00 - 8:30 PM
Spiritual Healing and Recovery Introductory Workshop
September 26, 2009, 9:00 - 5:00 PM (registration at 8:30)
For information or to request a registration form, contact Joyce Spurgin at 580- 465-2127 or spurgin@cableone.net.
Fort Worth, TX
1st Congregational Church
4201 Trail Lake Dr. Fort Worth, TX 76109
Overview of the Wounded Soul
October 8, 2009, 7:00 - 8:30 PM
Spiritual Healing and Recovery - Introductory Workshop
October 10, 2009, 9:00 - 5:00 PM (registration at 8:30)
For more information or to register, contact Katherine at 817-946-2149 or katherine501@sbcglobal.net.
Boulder, CO
St Mary Magdalene Episcopal Church
4775 Cambridge, Boulder, CO 80301
Spiritual Healing & Recovery Introductory Workshop
November 13, 2009, 9:00 - 5:00 PM (registration at 8:45)
Journey into Healing: A Silent Retreat
November 14, 2009, 9:00 - 3:30 PM (registration at 8:45 am)
For information or to register, contact Katherine Ann Webster
at 303-997-6332 or kawebster@comcast.net.
Metro Denver, CO
Location TBA
Advanced Techniques in Spiritual Healing Workshop
December 5, 2009 9:00 - 5:00 PM (registration at 8:45 am)
(Prerequisite: Spiritual Healing and Recovery Introductory Workshop)
For information or to register call 303-377-0293 or email maryshope@qwestoffice.net.
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Mary's Hope Workshops- Hope for Healing
since 2000 - 5,500 attendees - 185 events!
Your donation allows us to continue to reach out to survivors and those who care for them. Won't you choose today to make a difference?
To donate through our secure giving site - Giving First, please - Click here.
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Mary's Hope Workshops
Executive Director
Sherry Niermann
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