Chiara Center announces final ‘09 events

The Hospital Sisters of St. Francis will offer a number of programs throughout the rest of 2009 at the Chiara Center, a retreat facility on their 300-acre campus northeast of Springfield.

A Twilight Retreat Series, now called “Food and Faith at Chiara,” is scheduled from 6 to 9 p.m. Sept. 17 and Nov. 5.  Each evening includes a meal, prayer, presentation and time for reflection.

Belleville Diocese priest, Father Roger Karban, will be the guide Sept. 17. Father Karban is a faculty member at the University of Notre Dame and St. Louis University and writes a weekly on-line scripture column.

Called “A Pilgrimage on Mission with St. Paul,” the presentation will focus on the message of Paul to the early Christians which continues to challenge us in the 21 st century.

Saturday, Oct. 17, will be the final “Ah Day of Quiet” for 2009. This session, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., will provide time to reflect, journal, listen, walk, pray, read and wonder in the peace of the Chiara Center.

Offered Nov. 20-22 will be “Nurturing an Emerging Consciousness” with writer, retreat leader and speaker Paula D'Arcy.

The annual Franciscan Nativity Festival, with more than 100 multi-cultural Nativity scenes, is planned for Thursday through Sunday, Dec. 3-6. Times will be announced.

Prices vary depending on the program, accommodations and meals. The Nativity Festival is free.

Registration is required for all programs except the Nativity Festival.

Named for St. Clare of Assisi, the Chiara Center is a ministry of the Hospital Sisters, sponsors of Hospital Sisters Health System and the system's 13 Illinois and Wisconsin hospitals including St. Elizabeth's in Belleville, St. Joseph's in Breese and St. Joseph's in Highland.

For more information or register, call 217-523-0901 or visit www.chiaracenter.org .