LifeSHIFT: Work & the Christian Journey
Retreat held at the Siena Retreat Center, Racine, WI
November 1-3, 2013
The new Siena Retreat Center on the bluffs above Lake Michigan provided the ideal environment for another successful LifeSHIFT Retreat.
This was the second time LifeSHIFT was offered in the Racine, WI area just 15 miles south of Milwaukee and an hour north of Chicago. Participants in a variety of work and career related transitions engaged the weekend experience.
Led by Tom Bachhuber and Bill Sneck, S.J., LifeSHIFT brought together workshop elements for accomplishing tasks and establishing goals within a reflective, relaxing retreat atmosphere. Career planning, vocational call and spiritual formation were integrated throughout the weekend. Key topics, activities and resources include:
Journaling · the Strong Interest Inventory · Values Card Sort · Facing Fears
Ignatian Spirituality · Life RoadMap Exercise · Time Management · Individual Consultations
The weekend included a mix of presentation/discussion, quiet time, small group work, prayer, and experiential learning. The transition and vocational work of William Bridges, Parker Palmer and Herminia Ibarra were used while St. Ignatius, Thomas Merton and Henri Nouwen were three of the sources for spirituality.
In The Inner Voice of Love, Henri Nouwen writes that when we feel disempowered, we often think we need to take action by getting something out of our selves. What is most helpful, he offers, is taking something in. We need to open ourselves to God’s love and the love from people around us. At the Siena LifeSHIFT Retreat, participants found balance among achieving fresh clarity for their work lives, hope in their spirituality and support from a new community.
Some comments from the participants:
“The LifeSHIFT Retreat provided a warm and supportive atmosphere to explore new life directions. Many wonderful tools were offered and the meaningful conversations with other participants gave me energy and hope.”
“The most valuable aspect of the retreat was learning very practical ways for figuring out what is next. This training gave me solid concepts and methods—not vague ideas.”
“The resources and presentations were outstanding. The caring and knowledge of the leadership along with the support of the group was invaluable.”
“I liked the structure it provides to continue the process going forward. The time carved out during the weekend for reflection and individual work was very helpful.”
Learn more about the Sienna Center: http://www.racinedominicans.org/sienaaboutus.cfm