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Inside this issue:
Espousal News
Winter/Spring 2015
Espousal Retreat & Conference Center // 554 Lexington St., Waltham, MA 02452 // (781) 209-3120 // [email protected] // www.espousal.org
Fill the New Year with Blessings
by Fr. Bob Masciocchi, CSS
Fill the New Year with
Blessings (page 1)
A truly spiritual person is one who gives his or her life away by blessing
others and blessing the world as God blesses our world. As we begin a new
year, aware of the challenges and struggles throughout our country and
especially throughout the world, we can bring positive, hopeful and loving
energy into our own lives and into the lives of our loved ones. We can be a
source of blessing. But what is a blessing?
Programs That Help (inside)
A Request for Prayers and
Financial Assistance from
Fr. Bob Masciocci (below)
“To bless” takes it’s meaning from the Latin word Benedicere, which means
to speak well of someone. A biblical example of God’s blessing is the story
of creation, when God looked at all he had done and said, “It is indeed very
good.” Another is at the baptism of Jesus, when God’s voice said, “This is my
beloved on whom my favor rests.” Beloved is best translated as “blessed.”
Jesus constantly heard this voice. Jesus knew his blessedness and could
operate out of a blessed consciousness and could see others and the world
as blessed. The way we perceive and judge is deeply influenced and colored by our own interiority. As the
philosopher says, “Whatever is received is received according to the mode of its receiver.” How we perceive
speaks volumes about what is going on inside of us. Jesus, knowing his father’s blessing, was able to operate
out of a positive, blessed consciousness.
Dear Friends of the Espousal Center:
We want to thank you all for the help you have given us over the years with
your financial assistance and prayers. We are striving to stay open as a center
for the ministry we do to help people in their spiritual, emotional and relational
challenges. We ask for your help in our present need. The increase in electrical
energy and a major replacement to our heating system is costing $40,000.00.
We ask you to pray and reflect on what you may contribute to this present
challenge that we face. We have a true need.
Thank you for your help,
prayers and support.
God bless you,
Fr. Bob
The three components of a blessing are (1) to see and admire that person, (2) to speak well of him or her,
and (3) to give away some of our life so that the other may have more life. In the gaze of true recognition,
there is a deep blessing. We are blessed when someone sees us in such a way that he or she, in word or body
language, says “I am glad you are here; you bring something special into my life.” We see this when a child
says, “Mommy, look at what I am doing.” A good friend blesses you by seeing you in this way. We are blessed
by being seen and we bless others by seeing them. We bless others when we speak well of them, when we feel
their presence and energy as a gift. Blessings need not be articulated in words, though ideally they should be.
We bless greatly with our body language and our attitudes. These can be more powerful than our words.
To bless another fully is to give some of one’s life so that another might be more resourceful in his or her life.
To fully bless we give some of our life, time or help to enrich the life of the other. As Jesus says, “No one has
greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13). Good parents and good friends
do this in joy to feed others. We look forward to the new year with the hope that each of us can bless our
families, friends and strangers. Few of us have been sufficiently blessed. When was the last time someone said
to you, in words or actions, “I take delight in you”? In blessing, we are blessed. With the power of the Holy
Spirit we can be a source of great blessings.
Come to the Espousal Center and be blessed. Through our programs, adoration and prayer community, you
will be blessed. Happy and Blessed New Year!
Hold your next meeting at The Espousal Conference Center
Comfortable and affordable space available for 25 to 200 people.
Overnight accommodations and meals available.
Call (781) 209-3120 for more information.
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Programs that help
All programs are held at the Espousal Retreat House at 554 Lexington St., Waltham, MA 02452
3 Ways to Register: Call (781) 209-3120 // Mail in the form at right // Go online to www.espousal.org
Winter/Spring 2015
Discovering God’s Will
What shall I do? Discovering the
best choice
February 15, 2015 (Sunday)
Registration at 9:30 a.m.
Program 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Christian Psychology
Approaches to emotional problems
March 8, 2015 (Sunday)
Registration at 9:30 a.m.
Program 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Day of Blessing for Married
Couples
Experience growth and healing
March 15, 2015 (Sunday)
Registration at 11:30 a.m.
Program 12:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.
Day of Healing
Healing anxiety and depression
April 12, 2015 (Sunday)
Registration at 9:30 a.m.
Program 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
What Am I On Earth For?
What drives my life?
April 19, 2015 (Sunday)
Registration at 9:30 a.m.
Program 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
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More at the Espousal
Day Retreats for Women
Presented by Jerri Lou Buffo and Sue Gormley
Espousal Prayer Community
Serving the Church and Community with
prayer, teaching, and guidance since 1977.
Every Tuesday
7:00 p.m. Rosary
7:30 p.m. Praise & Worship
8:15 p.m. Teaching
8:30 p.m. Mass
9:30 p.m. Prayer Teams
2nd Wednesday of the Month
10:00 a.m.–2:30 p.m. // Offering: $15
Bring a bag lunch // Registration not required
2015
The day will focus on how we can discern what God’s
will is in our own life. We will learn principles and a
plan that will help us make decisions as we try to live
a full and vital life. We will discover how this gives
us true freedom and will reduce stress and pressure
in our lives. It will allow us to experience God’s love
and goodness and free us from the negative past
that may inhibit our growth and freedom.
Presented by:
Fr. Bob Masciocchi,
CSS
Depression and anxiety cripple millions of Americans
and prevent millions more from reaching their
full potentials. Christian psychology offers several
different approaches to dealing with these problems
that can help restore the fullness of life. This day
will present powerful techniques from Christian
Psychology including 12 Step, Positive Psychology,
Forgiveness, Centering Prayer, and Mindfulness.
Presented by:
Dr. Michael
Murphy, Christian
Psychologist
The day will help couples grow in communication,
acceptance, empathy and encouragement. As
you reflect and share with your spouse, you will
experience compassion, joy, hope and true love.
Allowing the Lord to love, bless and heal you opens
new opportunities for intimacy and deep joy. As we
respect the Sacrament of Matrimony, we know that
the Lord wants to bless and heal married couples.
Presented by:
Fr. Bob Masciocchi,
CSS, and a married
couple
Whether mild or severe, anxiety and depression
affect both mind and spirit and can be a significant
barrier to health and wholeness. This day will focus
on a better understanding of anxiety and depression,
on alleviating symptoms through psychological
means, and on healing root causes through prayer.
Teaching, inner healing prayer, refelction and small
group time will be included.
Presented by:
Dr. Joseph
Coyle, Christian
Psychologist
We will focus on the factor(s) that drive our lives and
how we can grow in freedom and joy. As we reflect
on what really matters, we seek those realities that
can transform our lives so we can live with a clear
purpose and healthy balance. By transforming the
negatives to positives, we can live in true peace and
gratitude. We shall see how God’s love, truth and
grace can empower us to live a full and joyful life.
Presented by:
Fr. Bob Masciocchi,
CSS
Offering: $45
(includes lunch)
Mass included
Offering: $45
(includes lunch)
Mass included
Jan. 14
Living the Challenge — Saints for Everyday
Feb. 11
Prayer — Every Divine Encounter Holds the Possibility of Transforming Us (Joyce Rupp)
March 11
Renew Us in Your Love
April 8
The Power of Perseverance
May 13
Mary Mother of Jesus — Who Heard the Call of God and Answered “Yes”
June 10
More Than a Feeling
Offering: $45
(includes lunch)
Mass included
Come in silent worship before the
Blessed Sacrament in the Adoration Chapel.
Tuesdays
10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
(Divine Mercy Chaplet at 3:00 p.m.)
Wednesdays
10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Thursdays
10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Marriage Preparation
Since 1995, the region’s most highly acclaimed Catholic program for engaged couples.
Programs fill fast, so sign up early. Register at www.espousal.org.
2015 Classes
Feb. 7–8, Mar. 7–8, Mar. 28–29, April 11–12, May 2–3, May 30–31,
June 6–7, July 11–12, Aug. 1–2, Sept. 12–13, Oct. 3–4, Nov. 7–8, Dec. 5–6
Mass included
Mass included
Eucharistic Adoration
**In the event of incliment weather, the program will be
held the following Wednesday. Call the Espousal office at
(781) 209-3120 for more information.**
Offering: $70/couple
(includes special
dinner)
Offering: $45
(includes lunch)
Healing Service
Last Tuesday of the month at 7:30 p.m.
Participation on both days of the program is required.
Register for
a Program
To register for a program, mail this form and a deposit of $15 to The Espousal Retreat House, 554
Lexington St., Waltham, MA 02452. Checks can be made payable to Espousal Retreat House. The full
program balance is due upon arrival. For more information visit www.espousal.org or call (781) 209-3120.
Program Title: Program Date:
Your name:
Address:
City:State:Zip Code:
Phone Day:Phone Evening:
Email:
The Espousal Retreat House is a non-profit organization run by the Stigmatine Fathers and Brothers. We depend on
the generosity of people like you to maintain our facilities and to provide the community with a variety of services.
Please consider making a tax-deductible donation today. We thank you for your generosity!
Donation enclosed
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