Cabra Dominicans

Sabbatical Programme
This is a ten-week residential programme entitled 'Exploring Spirituality in the context of an evolving universe, an endangered earth and the Christian tradition'
Date: 4 March 2012 - 11 May 2012 & 9 September - 16 November 2012.
Further information available on request or on our website: www.ecocentrewicklow.ie

Art for Fun
Through the use of various media, participants will be lead to explore their own creativity.
Presenter: Pauline McGrath
Date: Tuesdays (13 sessions) beginning 10 January.
Time: 2.30 - 4.00pm
Cost: €130 (includes art materials).

Knitting & Stitching
Bring your own sewing or knitting and meet other people. Share, learn new skills have fun!
Presenter: Pauline McGrath
Date: Wednesdays beginning 11 January
Time: 2 - 4pm
Cost: €5

Vegetarian Cookery
In this course Sr Ethna Kelly will introduce participants to the art of cooking delicious as well as nutritious dishes using only the finest organic vegetables, herbs, whole grains and pulses. The food that nourishes us also connects us in an intimate way with the whole universe therefore this course has a spiritual as well as a practical component. There will be plenty of opportunity for tasting and asking questions.
Beginning Tuesdays (3 classes) 7 February 7.30 - 9.00pm. or Wednesdays,(3 classes)
8 February 10.30am - 12. Other dates to be arranged.
Cost: €20 (includes ingredients and recipes.) or €50 for three classes.
Booking Fee: €20.

Praying with Sacred Scripture
An opportunity to spend time with others reading, reflecting and praying about the gospel for the following Sunday.
Leaders: Pauline McGrath and Dympna Travers.
Date: Wednesdays, beginning 11 January, 10.45a.m. - 12.00 noon.
Cost: Donation.


Silent Meditation
"Come apart and rest awhile"
Silent Meditation is an opportunity to rest in the deep silence of mystery and learn
"that I am loved".
Leader: Vivienne O'Beirne.
Dates and time: Tuesdays 7.30 - 8.00pm beginning 17 January.
Cost: Donation.


Growing Organic Vegetables in a Small Garden
Growing vegetables organically is a simple way of working with nature rather than against it and at the same time ensuring a supply of vegetables that are safe, nourishing and full of flavour. This 6 session course will cover seed varieties, seed sowing, soil types and soil preparation, composting, planting, dealing with weeds and harvesting.
Presenter: Wendy Nairn
Dates: March 10, 24, April 14, 28, May 12, 26.
Time: Saturdays 10.30 - 12.30pm
Cost: €90 (Booking Fee €20).


Spirituality and the New Cosmology
Our cosmology or the way we understand the world, its origin and evolution necessarily affects our relationships with one another, with the other-than-human community of life and with God. Some of these issues will be explored in these groups.
Leader: Marian O'Sullivan.
Dates: First Mondays beginning 9 January.
Time: 7.30-9.00pm.
Cost: Donation.

Sacred Dance
Music and dance give us, humans, a sense of oneness with the universe.
This course will explore and enjoy that sense of connection.
Presenter: Pauline McGrath
Date: Mondays (7 sessions) beginning 12 March.
Time: 7.30-9.00 pm
Cost: € 70.

The Epic of Evolution - Five-day Conference
In this course we will study the evolution of the universe from its first emergence out of the mysterious void some 14 billion years ago through its florescence as the community of Earth life to its recent but very significant emergence into human conscious self-awareness. The programme includes an in-depth study of the Epic of Evolution by means of lectures, ritual, music, art and movement which help participants internalise the stunning new insights of this amazing story and begin to see it as the context for their lives and decision-making.
Date: 20 - 24 March.
Presenters: Lawrence Edwards, Pauline McGrath, Michael Rodgers.
Cost: € 250 (Includes conference, full lunch, teas and coffees) Booking Fee €100.

Preparation for Easter
Lent is a time to attend to the inner dimension of our lives, to get away from the busyness which occupies so much of our time. Reflecting on the scripture reading for the following Sunday is one way to do this.
Leaders: Pauline McGrath and Dympna Travers.
Date: Wednesdays, beginning 29 February, 7.30 - 8.45pm.
Cost: Donation.

Spring Equinox
The changing seasons remind us that there are rhythms to life. There are times of balance and times of imbalance when there is a preponderance of light or dark. To be thankful for these seasons of our lives as learning times is to be connected to the great mystery of the universe.
Date: Saturday, 24 March
Time: 2.30 - 4pm followed by refreshments
Cost: €5.

Walking the Labyrinth
The labyrinth is an ancient spiritual practice. People from different cultures and traditions have used the labyrinth in their search for meaning and guidance. It is a walking meditation that leads us to the centre where we can experience deep peace before being led out again to continue life's journey.
Presenter: Pauline McGrath.
Date: Thursdays beginning 29 March. (5 sessions)
Time: 7.30 - 9.00pm
Cost: €25.


Open Days
You are invited to visit our gardens and enjoy the beauty of our farm overlooking Wicklow Bay on the first Saturday of April, May, June, July, August, September and October. Gather at the Farm Shop at 11.00 a.m. for a guided walk through the gardens and farm.
Admission: Free. (Need suitable footwear and rainwear if appropriate).
Day Course
Changing World Views: Impact on Spirituality and Theology
In this course Diarmuid will discuss the challenge to our theology and spirituality presented by our great evolutionary and human story.
Date: 12 April
Presenter: Diarmuid O'Murchu.
Time: 9.30-4.00 p.m.
Cost: €50 ( includes conference, full meal, teas/coffees)
Booking Fee: €20.

Creating and Developing A School Garden
Summer Course for Primary School Teachers
This course will deal with the many aspects of developing a school garden including the nature of soil, growing vegetables and herbs, wild flowers and weeds, attracting insects and birds, trees and ponds and their importance for wild life.
Presenter: Wendy Nairn and others.
Date: 2 - 6 July.
Booking through The Blackrock Education Centre. Tel: 01-2365000

Summer Solstice
"Rituals are an expression of the human need to belong to the greater expanse of life".
Fritz Perls
Come and join us as we recall and celebrate how planet earth harnesses the sun's energy particularly at this time of year giving us long sunny days, fruitful harvest, birdsong, wild flowers and so much else.
Date: Saturday 23 June.
Time: 2.30 - 4.00pm followed by refreshments.
Cost: €5.

Private Retreats
What we can offer:
Opportunity to explore spirituality in the light of the new cosmology. Facilities available - meditation room, specialized library well stocked with books, periodicals, dvd's etc, computers with free internet access, en-suite self-catering rooms, Art Room, Common Rooms, Massage Room, Eucharist available in the parish church.
Dates: June & December.
Arrive: 4-6 p.m. Leave before 11 a.m. on the day of departure.
Cost: €30 per night. Booking fee: €30.

Two-Day Conference
Praying with the Mystics
These days will consist of a series of reflections on the main mystical themes especially creation, the all-embracing presence of God, the mysterious interactions of humanity and divinity, the blessedness of human experience, the public exercise of compassion and the need for a new form of language with which to express this new experience.
Directed by: Mary T Malone
Dates: 3 & 4 May
Cost: €80.
Booking Fee: €20

RETREAT
In Search of the God of the New Story
This retreat will be focused on the New Story as revealed by modern science, and how it relates to our Christian faith tradition. There will be two input sessions each day, with opportunities for prayerful reflection on the content of the lectures and their faith implications. There will also be opportunities for shared reflection on the content of the lectures.
Directed by: Mark McDonnell cfc and Pauline McGrath OP
Dates: 3-8 June.
Arrivals 4 - 6pm on the 3rd June. Departure after morning session on the 8th.
Cost: €380.
Booking Fee: €100

RETREAT
Finding God in the Singing Heart of the World
The focus of the retreat will be the New Creation Spirituality which the progress of modern science is helping to shape and direct so profoundly. During the week we will explore and reflect upon some of the main developments, and their implications for contemporary spirituality and apostolate.
On one of the days there will be a full day outing to the Midlands - a pilgrim journey - to visit some of the sites associated with the early Christian saints of Ireland: to walk among the ruins of what little remains on the ground, to contemplate the lessons of their lives, and reflect upon their legacy. Sites such as: Monaincha, Lemonaghan-Pollagh, Rahan, Clonmacnoise, Kyle, Cloneagh
Directed by: John Feehan and Hugh O'Donnell
Dates: 17 - 22 June.
Arrivals: 4 - 6pm on 17th June. Departure after morning session on the 22nd .
Cost: €420.
Booking Fee: €100.


RETREAT
Praying with the Women Mystics
This retreat will consist of a series of daily reflections on some of the main mystical themes, especially Creation, the all-embracing Presence of God, the mysterious interactions of Humanity and Divinity, the blessedness of Human Experience, the public exercise of Compassion and the need for a new form of Language with which to express this new Experience. Each day will consist of a morning reflection, an optional experience of artistic bodily expression, an evening communal gathering and much opportunity for personal reflection and private time to experience the presence of the God in the beauty of the Natural World.
Directed by: Mary T Malone and Pauline McGrath OP
Dates: 8 - 13 July.
Arrivals: 4-6pm on 8th July. Departure after morning session on the 13th.
Cost: €380.
Booking Fee: €100.


RETREAT
Zazen/Sesshin
This Zen retreat or Sesshin is open to those who have already been introduced to Zen Meditation and who practice it in daily life. The Sesshin is silent throughout and the daily time-table includes six hour-long periods of zasen (sitting meditation) and a walking meditation. A commitment to stay for the full Sesshin is a requirement.
Directed by: Bernard Durel
Dates: 30 November - 4 December.
Arrivals: 4-6pm on 30th November. Departure after morning session on the 4th.
Cost: €380.
Booking Fee: €100.

Autumn Equinox
The changing seasons remind us that there are rhythms to life. There are times of balance when the position of planet Earth relative to the sun ensures equal length of day and night and times of imbalance when there is a preponderance of light or dark. To celebrate these seasons of our lives is to be connected to the great mystery of the universe.
Date: 22 September.
Time: 2.30 - 4.00pm followed by refreshments.
Cost: €5.

Planning An Organic Garden for the New Season
This morning session will advise on how to develop an organic vegetable garden and on how to plan for the next growing season. It will provide an opportunity to examine seed catalogues and to prepare for the new season.
Presenter: Wendy Nairn.
Date: 20 October.
Time: 10.30 a.m.-12.30 p.m.
Cost: €20.
Booking Fee: €20.

Advent
Preparing for Christmas using the Advent scripture readings.
Leader: Pauline McGrath.
Date: Wednesdays beginning 28 November.
Time: 7.30 - 9.00pm
Cost: Donation.


Winter Solstice
"Rituals are an expression of the human need to belong to the greater expanse of life"
Fritz Perls.
Please join us in celebrating something greater than ourselves as we prepare for the great feast of Christmas when we celebrate the incarnation of God first in creation and then in the person of Jesus.
Date: Saturday, 22 December.
Time: 4.00 - 6.00pm approximately.
Cost: €5.


Farm Shop and Markets
Our Farm Shop has been revamped and extended from March. As well as the usual range of organic vegetables and meat we will stock local artisan food of high quality. Come and see Shop Hours at present:
Tuesdays: 2.00 - 5pm,
Thursdays: 9.30 - 5.00 p.m.
Fridays: 9.30 - 5.00 p.m.
Saturdays: 10.00 a.m. - 5.00 p.m.
*These may also be extended from March.
See our website www.ecocentrewicklow.ie


What's On When?

January: Spirituality and the New Cosmology: First Mon beginning 9 Jan.
Art for Fun: Tuesdays beginning 10 January.
Praying with Sacred Scripture: Wednesdays beginning 11 January.
Silent Meditation: beginning Tuesday 17 January.

February: Vegetarian Cooking: beginning Tuesday 7 Februrary & Wednesday 8.
Preparation for Easter: Wednesdays beginning 29 February.

March: Farm Walks: First Saturdays, April to October at 11.00 a.m.
Organic Gardening: 6 Saturday mornings March 10, 24 April 14, 28
May 12, 26.
Spring Equinox: 24 March.
10-week residential programme beginning 4 March.
Sacred Dance Mondays beginning 12 March.
Walking the Labyrinth: Thursdays beginning 29 March.
Epic of Evolution: 20 -24 March

April: Day Course. Changing World Views - Diarmuid O'Murchu 12 April.

May: Two Day Conference: Mary T Malone 3 and 4 May

June: Private Retreats: Self-catering Accommodation June & December
Retreat: In Search of God of the New Story 3 - 8 June
Retreat: Find God in the Singing Heart of the World 17 - 22 June
Summer Solstice: 23 June.

July: Creating a School Garden For Primary School Teachers 2 - 6 July
Retreat: Praying with the Women Mystics 8 - 13 July

September: 10-week residential programme: beginning 9 September.
Spirituality and the New Cosmology: First Mon beginning September.
Art as Meditation: beginning 4 September.
Walking the Labyrinth: Thursdays beginning 20 September.
Autumn Equinox: 22 September.

October: Planning an Organic Garden for the New Season: Saturday 20 October

November: Advent: Wednesdays beginning 28 November.
Retreat: Zazen/Shesshin 30 November - 4 December

December: Winter Solstice: 22 December.
Private Retreats: Self-catering Accomodation, December.


PROGRAMME 2012

International Year of Sustainable Energy for All

An Tairseach
Dominican Farm and Ecology Centre, Wicklow Town
Enquiries: 0404-61833
e-mail: info@ecocentrewicklow.ie
www.ecocentrewicklow.ie