Where holy meets holistic - Collaborative Ministries offers 'venue for spirituality'

Catholicism is sometimes associated with rosary beads, statues, Latin Masses and novenas.

But this brand of Catholicism centers on meditation, dream work, global spirituality and inner peace.

Under the umbrella term Collaborative Ministries, the Wheaton Franciscans offer an ongoing series of programs and classes at Maura Hall on the campus of Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital in Wheaton. The program focuses on spiritual development and the healing arts.

"We were involved with ministries across the United States, and we thought it was time to reach out to our immediate community," said Sister Gabriele Uhlein, who helped launch Collaborative Ministries in 2005. "It was our dream to provide a venue for spirituality to the public."

The name originated from the collaboration of the Wheaton Franciscan Sisters and their covenant members, a group of laypeople who have a special relationship with the sisters in their desire to follow the traditions of St. Francis of Assisi and St. Clare.

"Collaborative Ministries is grounded in the Franciscan dimension," Uhlein said. "St. Francis had a tremendous respect for God's creation, and we wanted Collaborative Ministries to reflect that."

Uhlein offers Saturday Mindfulness Mornings, sessions that promote living life with intention and awareness through a reverence for nature. Participants have a chance to practice silent contemplation and mindful walking.

"Our programs are very diverse," said Renata Marroum, Collaborative Ministries coordinator. "We try to integrate mind, body and spirit."

Sessions include the dynamics of prayer, an in-depth look at the chakras, the interrelationship between Native American ceremonies and sacraments and healing through the grieving process.

Marroun, a former physics instructor at Lewis University in Romeoville, tries to bring together science and spirituality in the classes she facilitates at Collaborative Ministries. She is offering Great Minds and Conversation, eight sessions in which participants explore issues pertaining

to soul, science and spirit. Previously, she has offered sessions on liquid crystals.

Although mostly women attend the programs, Marroun hopes that more men will participate. A men's group meets once a month to discuss issues in a safe, nonthreatening environment.

Sandra Sula, a frequent participant in Collaborative Ministries, is a Quaker, not a Catholic.

"It's difficult to find a place that promotes spiritual growth," she said. "But Collaborative Ministries allows you to explore your spirituality and deepen your awareness of God. The atmosphere is very friendly and welcoming."

Charlotte Loizzi and her husband, Bob, also attend the programs. "Collaborative Ministries allows people to step back from their busy lives and take time to look inside themselves. It gives you peaceful feeling."

Over at Curt Jester blog, Jeff Miller provides some good analysis of this story.

Pick the charism

Lets play a game of guess the charism. Pick the religious order by using the following clues of what they offer.

Therapeutic Massage
La Stone Therapy
Craniosacral Therapy
Maya Abdominal Self-Care Workshops
Australian Bush Flower Essence Practitioner
Healing the Light Body Shamanic Practices
Maya Abdominal Massage
Introduction To Raw Food
Native American Ceremonies
Energy Medicine Sessions
Reiki Sessions
Lymphatic Drainage
An Indepth Look At The Chakras
Therapeutic massage with emphasis on trigger point, chiropractic modalities, medical massage and relaxation techniques enhancing circulation and the immune system
Dances of Universal Peace
Animal Spirits/Animal Guides
Reflecting On Reconciliation in a Quantum Universe

What you can't easily pick what religious order this is by a listing of what they are teaching and practicing? Of course with new agey Dominicans and Franciscans it is harder to determine which one has gone further around the bend.

Catholicism is sometimes associated with rosary beads, statues, Latin Masses and novenas.

But this brand of Catholicism centers on meditation, dream work, global spirituality and inner peace.

Under the umbrella term Collaborative Ministries, the Wheaton Franciscans offer an ongoing series of programs and classes at Maura Hall on the campus of Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital in Wheaton. The program focuses on spiritual development and the healing arts.

"We were involved with ministries across the United States, and we thought it was time to reach out to our immediate community," said Sister Gabriele Uhlein, who helped launch Collaborative Ministries in 2005. "It was our dream to provide a venue for spirituality to the public."

The name originated from the collaboration of the Wheaton Franciscan Sisters and their covenant members, a group of laypeople who have a special relationship with the sisters in their desire to follow the traditions of St. Francis of Assisi and St. Clare.

"Collaborative Ministries is grounded in the Franciscan dimension," Uhlein said. "St. Francis had a tremendous respect for God's creation, and we wanted Collaborative Ministries to reflect that."

Some Franciscans seem to over-emphasize one aspect of Francis' spirituality to the detriment of the rest of it. Too much Brother Sun, Sister Moon and not enough Mother Church and God the Father. Francis' love of creation was due to his love of the creator. Going through the Wheaton Franciscan's site the most you hear about Jesus and Mary is in there name Province of the International Congregation of the Franciscan Sisters, Daughters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Mary.

Though maybe I am being a little hard on them. After all when you want to hear about animal spirit guides surely the first place you would go is the Catechism, or maybe not. I say Shaman on them for such as travesty.

They also prove my rule about Progressive Catholic Religious web sites - that you will always find a link to the United Nations and never to the Vatican. Something that Fr. Powell has also recently discovered concerning the United Nations Millennium Development Goals and Dominican sites and publications.

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