Painting Gallery

Sizes and Prices

Come and Paint Retreat

at The Well,

La Grange Park, Illinois www.csjthewell.org

An enlightening and nurturing retreat experience for those wishing to be more vitally in tune with God, the Universe, and their own inner wisdom.  Mary Southard is a woman in love with Life and with the Creator present and active everywhere within this Sacred Universe—the Holy One who continues to love us into greater fullness and Life. Mary is adept in inviting others into this awareness through prayer, painting, and self discovery. The retreat includes a daily input session in the morning, and a closing "wisdom circle" ritual in the evening. Artists and non-artists alike are welcome.  Bring an apron or smock, brushes if you have them, and a journal.  All other materials are provided.

Come and Paint Retreat: Thursday, May 19, (9:00 a.m.) through Sunday, May 22, (4 :00 p.m.) 2011

An enlightening and nurturing retreat experience for those wishing to be more vitally in tune with God,   the Universe, and their own inner wisdom.  Mary Southard is a woman in love with Life and with the Creator present and active everywhere within this Sacred Universe—the Holy One who continues to love us into greater fullness and Life. Mary is adept in inviting others into this awareness through prayer, painting, and self discovery. The retreat includes a daily input session in the morning, and a closing "wisdom circle" ritual in the evening. Artists and non-artists alike are welcome.  Bring an apron or smock, brushes if you have them, and a journal.  All other materials are provided.

[Cost: $350 includes retreat materials, lodging and all meals.  $200 for commuters.]

"Why Not Soar? " -- Sunday, June 12 - Friday, June 17, 2011 -- Arrival at 4:00 PM on Sunday. Retreat ends at 12 Noon on Friday, due to the opening of the Summer Institute at 7:00 p.m.  Facilitator:  Gail Worcelo, sgm, assisted by: Mary Southard, CSJ and Bridget Sperduto

“Why not soar?”  Mechtilde of Magdeburg, a member of the Beguines and mystic of the 13th century, heard these words addressed to her by God in prayer.  “You have the wings of longing. You know the pull of hope. You feel the flowing of desire. So, why not soar to the blissful heights where I await your love.”

In this retreat we will take this question fully into ourselves, honoring it as deeply as possible with spaciousness for new depth and clarity to emerge. This will be a time to open ourselves to the vitality of the mystical path and the radiance of the Christ Life in order to become full expressions of Love in Action in the world.

"That All May be One." -- Special Retreat for members of the Federation of the Congregations of St. Joseph, their associates, and all who resonate with the charism of the Sisters of St. Joseph. Facilitator:  Mary Southard, CSJ

Creators in a Loving Universe:Living the CSJ Charism in the 21st Century -- Thursday, July 14 - Tuesday, July 19, 2011; arrival at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday. Departure at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday.

As the world becomes increasingly ONE, we are being flooded with astounding Revelation: --of an evolutionary universe which is beautiful and creative, --and of an Earth which is dying.  The CSJ charism and mission becomes heart and fire, and is newly alive in the midst of this present Revelation!  We women and men of St. Joseph are freshly empowered in our Mission, and in becoming the Congregation of Great Love.  This retreat invites  all members of the CSJ Federation, Associates and any others who resonate with the charisms of the Congregation of St. Joseph, "That All May Be One" to enter into this Holy Mystery of our creative Universe, the Divine Milieu in which “we live and move and have our being”.  We will contemplate the Great Story and our Story, and reflect together on it as Grace.  Those who wish will paint as a way of praying and consciously participating in the Co-Creative Energy of the Cosmos.  We will discover new sources of wisdom within, and share the state of our hearts.

Retreat:“EARTH ALIVE: Living and Loving in a Sacred Universe”, July 26—August 2, 2011
St. Mary by-the-Sea, Cape May Point, NJ,

EARTH ALIVE: Living and Loving In A Sacred Universe: This retreat is an invitation to greater awareness of the Divine as present and beautifully involved in the ongoing Creation of the Universe, and us.  The revelation taking place today is unlike any other in human history and it calls us into a new intimacy with ourselves, our God and the Sacred Planet which is our home.

Retreat:“Come and Paint”, August 21—27, 2011
River’s Edge, A Place for Reflection and Action. Cleveland OH

 In this retreat, painting and reflecting will be in the context of the Universe Story and its impact on and transformation of our sense of meaning at nearly every level. Painting provides a way of more deeply and lovingly entering into and experiencing an unfolding within our own souls. Each day includes an input session in the morning, and a closing  ritual in the evening. Participants are asked to "tune in" to and follow their own inner rhythms and creativity in scheduling their sleep, exercise, walk, paint, and reflection as each feels moved. Retreatants paint in silence, which provides a safe and holy space for each one, and a heightened and shared energy. Outside of the painting space and meeting space, silence is according to your choice. Bring an apron,  a journal, andl  your favorite brushes if you have them.  All other materials are provided.