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A Pilgrimage of Pastors
NOT
CURRENTLY SCHEDULED
“’The Church as Bride and Mother”
“But since the word Ecclesia is applied to different things (as also it is written of the multitude in the theatre of the Ephesians, And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the Assembly ), and since one might properly and truly say that there is a Church of evil doers, I mean the meetings of the heretics, the Marcionists and Manichees, and the rest, for this cause the Faith has securely delivered to thee now the Article, "And in one Holy Catholic Church;" that thou mayest avoid their wretched meetings, and ever abide with the Holy Church Catholic in which thou wast regenerated. And if ever thou art sojourning in cities, inquire not simply where the Lord's House is (for the other sects of the profane also attempt to call their own dens houses of the Lord), nor merely where the Church is, but where is the Catholic Church. For this is the peculiar name of this Holy Church, the mother of us all, which is the spouse of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Only-begotten Son of God (for it is written, As Christ also loved the Church and gave Himself for it , and all the rest,) and is a figure and copy of Jerusalem which is above, which is free, and the mother of us all ; which before was barren, but now has many children.” St. Cyril of Jerusalem: Catechetical Lectures XVIII, 26 (circa 350 )
“For as a young man marries a virgin, so shall your sons marry you, and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you.” Isaiah 62.5
“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband; and I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling of God is with men. He will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself will be with them; he will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain any more, for the former things have passed away." And he who sat upon the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." Also he said, "Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true." And he said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the fountain of the water of life without payment. He who conquers shall have this heritage, and I will be his God and he shall be my son. But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the polluted, as for murderers, fornicators, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their lot shall be in the lake that burns with fire and sulphur, which is the second death." Then came one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues, and spoke to me, saying, "Come, I will show you the Bride, the wife of the Lamb." And in the Spirit he carried me away to a great, high mountain, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, having the glory of God, its radiance like a most rare jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal.” Revelation 21.1-11
Pastors seeking an ever-deepening relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ in a setting of Trust - Confidentiality - Silence - A Spirit of Pilgrimage
Conversational wondering, wrestling and openness to God’s new song and work
Focused yet open-ended conversation on a particular aspect of the Christian life
Followed by
Holy Communion, Lunch, & Listening Prayer
~ “Slow Down” and even “Be Still” ~
~ Value the journey as well as the journey’s end ~
~ Faithful questioning and answering ~
~ Take time to be attentive to the voice of God ~
Gatherings at St. Columba Retreat House
12835 Sir Francis Drake Blvd. Inverness California
Facilitated by Fr. Thomas Brindley
Upward Call Ministries International
phone/fax: 415.897-5039 Contact
Fr. Thomas
~~ Please confirm your intention to attend ~~
~~ Bring a brown bag lunch ~~
Warning: This is not “just another” study group, prayer group, or ministerial fellowship group. You might come away with more authentic questions than superficial answers. It just might change your life in an unexpected way.
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