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A Deeper Look at Catherine of Siena: Her Dialogue, Prayers, Spirituality, and Life

This course continues on past coursework where the life and works of Catherine of Siena were introduced. Here, we take a deeper look at understanding her theology and spirituality through careful reading and analysis of common concepts and threads that intersect the various areas of her thought and life. The dynamic vibrancy of the seraphic virgin comes through to set us on fire with the Spirit of God in our own day, as once her inner fire lit up the world of her own age with her holiness.

Saturday March 11, 2023
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
On Zoom

Fee: $ 30.00

due to low registrations, this course has been cancelled.

Elizabeth of the Trinity: Her Life, Letters, and Spirituality

This course explores the life and spirituality of this Carmelite mystic through various sources of her writings. This incredible woman with a love for music and a lively secular life entered a Dijon Carmel and explored the depths and heights of the inner life. She also gave very practical spiritual advice, particularly through her retreats. She found her fulfillment in being a praise of glory and living the indwelling of the trinity. She also promised to assist souls in the inner life from heaven.

Instructor: Mary J. Gennuso, PhD

Saturday March 11, 2023
1:00 pm-4:00 pm
On Zoom

Fee: $ 30.00

Great Music Inspired by the Old Testament

Stories in the Old Testament that have inspired great composers through the ages. Using the oratorios of Handel as a basis for the course, we will also feature the music of Rossini, Saint-Saens, Verdi and others.

Instructor: Charles Powell

Tuesday February 28th until April 4th
12 noon until 1.30 PM
2^nd Floor Conference Room, Francis House

Fee: $60.00

Reconsiderations: Three Novels of the Bronte Sisters

Sometimes called “the first family of literature,” the Bronte sisters nurtured one another’s creativity from early childhood. Using male pen names of Currer, Ellis and Acton Bell, the sisters published a book of poems in 1846. Maintaining their pseudonyms, each published her first novel in 1847. We will read the works in order of publication: Jane Eyre, a coming-of-age story; Wuthering Heights, a gothic and psychological masterpiece; and The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, the story of a woman living as a single mother of a young son in order to escape an abusive marriage. Besides considering the characters’ struggles for personal identity and meaningful relationships in a rigid caste and class system, we will consider how the critical reception of these works has changed since their publication

Instructor:  Sr. Fran McManus, RSM

Feb. 23 – Apr. 13 No class Ap. 6th (Holy Thursday)
(Please Note: the starting date for this course is incorrectly listed as “Feb. 2” in the printed brochure)
Thursday 12:30-1:30
On Zoom

Fee: $60.00

Affirming the Light: The Poetry of Joy Harjo

Joy Harjo’s poetry is descriptive and rhythmic, drawing on her connection to the land, her Muscogee heritage, her deep listening to the voices of history, promises broken and fulfilled and the hope of forming a collective and unifying story. We will spend the first hour and a half of each class discussing Harjo’s poems. The last half hour will be spent writing a poem in light of the themes and techniques of Harjo’s poems. The last half hour is optional; all students are welcome to participate.

Required Texts: Weaving Sundown in a Scarlet Light: Fifty Poems for Fifty Years. Published in hardcover in November, 2022, the collection shows the range and development of Harjo’s work and contains extensive notes on the poems. The text is available in electronic form and hard copy and can be purchased as a new or used item through Amazon.

Instructor:  Sr. Fran McManus, RSM

Feb. 27 – Apr. 17 (no class April 10th)
Mondays 6-8PM
On Zoom

Fee: $60.00