Unplanned is the inspiring true story of one woman’s journey of transformation. ​ All Abby Johnson ever wanted to do was help women. As one of the youngest Planned Parenthood clinic directors in the nation, she was involved in upwards of 22,000 abortions and counseled countless women about their reproductive choices. Her passion surrounding a woman’s right to choose even led her to become a spokesperson for Planned Parenthood, fighting to enact legislation for the cause she so deeply believed…

“You can’t climb a mountain if it’s smooth” - Ancient African Proverb. We hope you will join Deacon Art Miller at OLC for this inspiring morning of reflection. We’ve read and accepted that “we walk by faith and not by sight.” But what happens when tragedy happens and we’re confronted with terrible choices? How strong is our faith when everything and everyone falls apart. How do we walk with faith when all we see is calamity? There is an answer, a reservoir of faith…

Moody Blues in winter is very common, affecting over 10 million Americans. Spend a morning with Marie Di Benedetto and learn how you can beat the blues with laughter and maybe an attitude adjustment. Laughter reduces stress and helps us override other emotions. It is hard to be sad while you are laughing! So, why be sad when we can learn simple techniques that can help us raise our serotonin levels and feel better This program includes lunch. Marie Di…

Do you have questions about the annulment process in the Catholic Church? Do you or a family member need an annulment, but are unsure how to proceed? Annulments are not well understood, even by Catholics.  This workshop will consider what annulments are, when they are needed and why, and what the process entails. There will be time for both input and discussion. This is an upstairs Blue Room program, so seating is limited. The workshop includes lunch. This workshop will…

Our OLC Book Club is returning for a second season! It is a different kind of book club because the focus is on spirituality. Future titles will be selected on a monthly basis, with the help of suggestions from participants. If you have not attended in the past you are very welcome to join us this month! Sisters Mary O’Brien, CP, and Anna Marie Becker, CP, are the moderators.  Long-time retreatants will remember Sister Anna Marie, whom we are happy…

We hope you will join us in making this mixed media project using acrylic paint, stencils, and patterned papers to make a beautiful piece that brings out the fun in just “messing around” with art. You will learn about texture, composition, and how to layer materials successfully. No experience is necessary and all are welcome. All supplies will be provided. This is a Saturday morning Blue Room program, so seating is limited. Please register early to avoid disappointment. This class…

Our tradition has provided us with a number of different ways of thinking about and meditating on the Passion of Jesus. These include the Stations of the Cross, the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary, The Seven Sorrows of Mary, and the Seven Last Words. The Seven Last Words are unique because more than any of the other devotions they take us inside the experience of Jesus. They offer a point of connection between the historical event of the crucifixion of…

Too often we have learned to see the religions of the world in competitive terms of differences and divisions. Let's ponder together the common ground, the wisdom and spiritual treasures that underlie them. We shall consider the ancient religions of India, China, and Japan. We shall look to the Abrahamic religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Together we shall take an eagle's eye view in a one day workshop This workshop is an upstairs Blue Room program. Seating is limited.…

Join us for our Jewelry Workshop. Making wire and beaded jewelry is a fun and relaxing way to create something beautiful and unique. No experience is necessary! In this class, you will learn basic wire wrapping skills to make beautiful wire wrapped rosary or beaded bracelet that you can wear home or give as a gift for someone you love! Tools, beads, wire, and other materials will be provided. If you have your own tools or beads that you would…

Our OLC Book Club is returning for a second season! It is a different kind of book club because the focus is on spirituality. Future titles will be selected on a monthly basis, with the help of suggestions from participants. If you have not attended in the past you are very welcome to join us this month! Sisters Mary O’Brien, CP, and Anna Marie Becker, CP, are the moderators.  Long-time retreatants will remember Sister Anna Marie, whom we are happy…

Come, enjoy the traditional art of Pysanky, presented by Dell Kasinkas. A pysanka is a Ukrainian Easter egg, decorated with traditional Ukrainian folk designs using a wax-resist method. The word pysanka comes from the verb pysaty, “to write” or “to in scribe”, as the designs are not painted on, but written with beeswax.  No artistic talent is required to create your own beautiful egg – just enthusiasm for learning and spiritual awareness through art. Presenter: Dell Kasinkas - Dell is…

Join us for a fun exploration of Easter. Learn why the celebration of Christ’s resurrection is called Easter and about the origins of many of our Easter traditions. We’ll take a look at dying Easter eggs, the Easter Bunny, Easter Baskets, Hot Cross Buns and more! This program will include a presentation by Sister Mary Ann followed by an egg decorating workshop led by Cheryl Pietrycha and an Easter themed lunch. Register for this program by calling (860) 677-8519 or use…

Most of the events of Mary’s life are well known to us as the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary: Annunciation, Visitation, Nativity, Presentation and Finding Jesus in the Temple. Mary Not so Gentle will reflect on these and other Scriptural events to consider what qualities, in addition to peace and gentleness, Mary presents to us for our admiration and imitation. This program includes lunch Presenter: Sr. Elissa Rinere, C.P. has been a Passionist Sister for over 30 years. She holds…

Come and join Emer Gearhart...a local artist...out of Branford...to paint one or two or maybe three, day lilies, if you are feeling confident. We will capture this lovely flower in acrylic. Lilies come in many colors but all maintain the same shape and their beauty lasts but 24 hours. But mostly think of how much joy these lovely flowers have to offer..... No experience is necessary and all are welcome. All supplies will be provided. This is a Saturday morning…

Our OLC Book Club is returning for a second season! It is a different kind of book club because the focus is on spirituality. Future titles will be selected on a monthly basis, with the help of suggestions from participants. If you have not attended in the past you are very welcome to join us this month! Sisters Mary O’Brien, CP, and Anna Marie Becker, CP, are the moderators.  Long-time retreatants will remember Sister Anna Marie, whom we are happy…

How Can I Keep From Singing with Moving in the Spirit Have you been enjoying the opening prayer service for the themed retreat weekends this year?  Here’s your opportunity to come learn the movements to the themed retreat opening prayer service liturgical dance with Moving in the Spirit.  Come experience a “moving” way to pray this sacred and well-known song, How Can I Keep From Singing, as we share a gestural prayer that is an outward expression of our inner Holy…

As an artist and one who takes time every day for mindful Centering prayer, I’ve come to see the connection between the meditative, contemplative process and the creative process.  Simone Weil, the 20th-century French philosopher, and mystic summed it up in a particular passage about going to the center of the Labyrinth and being eaten by God. In our day together we will explore this metaphor and talk about the relation between art and prayer.  I will then give some tips…

Our OLC Book Club is returning for a second season! It is a different kind of book club because the focus is on spirituality. Future titles will be selected on a monthly basis, with the help of suggestions from participants. If you have not attended in the past you are very welcome to join us this month! Sisters Mary O’Brien, CP, and Anna Marie Becker, CP, are the moderators.  Long-time retreatants will remember Sister Anna Marie, whom we are happy…

Thomas Merton on the meaning, insights, and invitation to non-violence applied to our polarized world. Thomas Merton was one of the foremost Catholic Spiritual writers of the late 20th Century. His Contemplative Journey led him to deep spiritual insights which he applied to the pressing social issues of his time. Thomas Merton came to see non-violence as the normative way Christians are called to engage the world. Merton's view was revealed to him through his reading of and reflections on…

This class is based in part on the book The Healing Oils of the Bible by Dr. David Stewart. Bible verses that reference essential oils and their use will be shared. Discussion includes the significance of holy incense and aromatherapy in Biblical times as compared to how the same oils are used in modern times. Essential oils have been an integral part of the daily lives of people for over ten thousand years. They have been used to support the body, mind,…