School of Spirituality

"Seek and you shall find..."

A two-year adult education program that helps individuals from a variety of faith traditions and communities deepen their basic understanding of Christian history, scripture, spirituality, prayer and mission.

This program is unique in that it not only offers information and scholarship, but participants are also stimulated and enriched by the diverse faith experiences and insights of their classmates. Nearly every class includes opportunity for dialog and small group discussion.

Through weekly staff lectures, guest presentations and independent reading, participants explore their responses to God’s presence and action throughout creation and human history. Participants also write weekly reflection papers focusing on their own experiences and how they apply themes and principles of spirituality in their own lives.  Scroll down to view the calendar and bibliography for fall 2011-spring 2012 and a brief biographical note about Rev. Dr. Debbie Pallatto Fontaine, the lead instructor for the School of Spirituality.

2011 – 2012
"The glory of God is the human being, fully alive..." St. Irenaeus of Lyon

This year looks at the growth and development of the spiritual person and the scriptural call to live "life to the full." The first semester explores the integrated process of human development with particular attention to the key transitions in our spiritual journeys, such as midlife. In the second semester participants consider how our ever-deepening relationship with God ultimately calls us to action in our world and to proclaim God’s love and justice in how we live and relate to others at work, in our families and in the world at large. The course includes a session on the ministry of spiritual direction.  Scroll down to view the calendar and bibliography for fall 2011 - spring 2012.

2012 – 2013
"In the beginning was the Word…" John 1

This year is devoted to the study of Sacred Scripture. Participants will consider the ways in which God communicates with God’s people, what can be learned about God and ourselves from this communication and how we may respond to God's invitations. The fall semester looks at God revealing, "what is God?"; the second semester  focuses on God revealed in Jesus and, "what is Christ?" As the emphasis is on scripture as living, the class will experience a variety of prayer methods and ways to respond to the invitation of scripture.

Both years also include Saturday retreat days of prayer and reflection at the Center.

Classes meet on Monday evenings from 6 to 8 pm beginning in September and ending in mid-April, with two prayer/integration evenings, one at the end of each semester.

Participants may enter in September, either year. A certificate is awarded upon completion of the program to participants who have met all of the requirements for class.

Fee:     2011 - 2012: $475 per semester/$950 for the year

            $50 non-refundable deposit applied to cost.

Registration and Interviewing: Ongoing for September initiation. Contact the Program Director, Joan Linley (203.245.0401, extension 460 or joan@mercybythesea.org)

School of Spirituality Bibliography Fall 2011- Spring 2012

Fall Semester:  “The Human Being, Fully Alive”
Welcome to the Wisdom of the World – by Joan Chittister (required text)
The Awakened Heart – by Gerald May (required text)
Suggested Optional Reading
Bill, Brent J.  Sacred Compass:  The Way of Spiritual Discernment and Holy Silence:  The Gift of Quaker Spirituality
Cooper, Howard.  The Alphabet of Paradise:  An A-Z Spirituality for Everyday Life
Kidd, Sue Monk.  When the Heart Waits
Lamott, Annie.  Grace (Eventually):  Thoughts on Faith and Plan B:  Further Thoughts on Faith
Newell, John Philip.  Listening for the Heartbeat of God:  A Celtic Spirituality
Norris, Kathleen.  The Cloister Walk
Nouwen, Henri.  The Wounded Healer
Rolheiser, Ronald.  The Holy Longing
Taylor, Barbara Brown.  An Altar in the World:  A Geography of Faith
Thurman, Howard.  Disciplines of the Spirit
Winter, M.T.  Paradoxology:  Spirituality in a Quantum Universe

Spring Semester:  Prayer and Contemplation in Action
A Presence That Disturbs:  A Radical Call to Discipleship - by Anthony Gittins (required text)
Contemplation in Action - by Richard Rohr and Friends (required text)
Suggested Optional Reading
Bourgeault, Cynthia.  Centering Prayer and Inner Awakening
Hays, Edward.  Pray All Ways
Keller, Helen.  How I Would Help the World
Kidder, Tracy.  Mountains Beyond Mountains
Palmer, Parker.  Let Your Life Speak:  Listening for the Voice of Vocation.
Pennington, M. Basil, Thomas Keating, & Thomas Clarke.  Finding Grace at the Center:  The Beginning of Centering Prayer
Rifkin, Ira (Ed.).  Spiritual Innovators:  Seventy-Five Extraordinary People Who Changed the World in the Past Century.
Schaper, Donna.  Living Well by Doing Good
Shapiro, Rabbi Rami.  The Sacred Art of Lovingkindness:  Preparing to Practice
Winter, M.T.  The Singer and the Song

 

School of Spirituality Calendar of Class Dates, Fall 2011:

9/12

9/19

9/26

10/3

10/17 (no class 10/10 – Columbus Day)

10/24

10/31

 11/7

11/14

11/21 (Thanksgiving 11/24)

11/28

12/5

12/10 – Saturday, 9 am – 3 pm Day of Integration & Prayer

School of Spirituality Calendar of Class Dates, Spring 2012:

1/16 (MLK Day)

1/23

1/30

2/6

2/13

2/20 (President’s Day)

2/27

3/5

3/19 (no class 3/12)

3/26

 4/2

4/9 (Easter 4/8) 

4/14 - Saturday, 9 am– 3 pm Day of Integration & Prayer

Optional: April 27-29 Contemplation in Action: Weekend Service Trip - (cost and details to follow)

 Snow dates as necessary: 4/16, 4/23

 

Debra Pallatto-Fontaine is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ and has extensive experience in parish ministry, spiritual direction (a graduate of Mercy Center’s Spiritual Direction Practicum), retreat leadership, and mission education.  She holds advanced degrees in education and counseling psychology including a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Connecticut.  She has been a volunteer with Global Ministries for the past 11 years serving in Asia, Africa, and Central America.  Debbie has a passion for teaching in the area of spiritual formation, facilitating groups, designing curriculum, and helping others to discern God’s calling in the world today.