ANC Priest Retreat 5 Death Sept 2007

This Conference (40 minutes) by Fr. Tom Ryan, CSP, looks straight into the eyes of Siddhartha's third visitor--Death. How well we love as we live indicates how well we will die. In a garden everything lives and dies, everything turns toward the light. How well do I turn to the Light of Christ's love to inform my life and my death. Fr. Tom looks closely at what Cardinal Bernardine beautifully taught all of us as he died.

ANC Priest Retreat 4 Homily 5 Sept 2007

This Daily Homily (14 Minutes) by Fr. Tom Ryan, CSP, examines the way people experienced the healing power of Jesus in those areas of their lives that were broken. Jesus heals Peter's mother-in-law and then the whole town shows up to experience the power of Jesus. Do I come to Jesus in my brokenness?

Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6, 9-11; Psalm 27:1, 4, 13-14; Luke 4: 31-37.

ANC Priest Retreat 3 Illness Sept 2007

This Conference (54 minutes) by Fr. Tom Ryan, CSP, looks at Siddhartha's second lesson--Illness. How do I embrace illness when it comes my way? Can I learn to juggle gracefully those things (both likes and dislikes) that life throughs at me. Siddhartha's first realization: all is Impermanent; the second: suffering comes from Attachment. How do I daily practice letting go in little ways? This conference includes a guided meditation on receiving news of your own terminal illness.

Anc Priest Retreat 2 Aging Sept 2007

This Conference (40 minutes) by Fr. Tom Ryan, CSP, explores Siddhartha's fist visitor Aging. We are all subject to the law of impermanence. We all start losing abilities as we age. There is a pause half way to discuss the statement, "I am subject to aging: aging is unavoidable." How do I practice those little letting go opportunities in preparation for the big letting go of my death?

ANC Priest Retreat 1 Introduction Sept 2007

This Conference (42 minutes) by Fr. Tom Ryan a Paulist from Washington DC introduces the Anchorage Priest Retreat held at the Holy Spirit Center on the theme "Savor Life by Embracing our Mortality." Fr. Tom tells the story of how the Buddha first learned about suffering. As a young man Siddhartha is visited by Old Age, Sickness, Death, and Separation. This retreat was really great experince for me to look at how precious and often short life is. As Gahndi sumed up his life "Renounce and Enjoy."

Fr. Thomas Ryan, CSP, a catholic priest and certified Kripalu yoga teacher, coordinates ecumenical and inter-religious relations for the Paulist community in the U.S. and Canada. His nine books include Reclaiming the Body in Christian Spirituality; The Sacred Art of Fasting; Four Steps to Spiritual Freedom; Prayer of Heart and Body; Meditation and Yoga as Christian Spiritual Practice; and Disciplines for Christian Living: Interfaith Perspectives.

21th Sunday in Ordinary Time 26 August 2007

This Homily (17 minutes) by Fr. Thomas Weise examines the question "Who will be saved?" Jesus said "Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough." (Luke 13:24) Let us each get a spiritual "work out" partner and help each other rely on Jesus to get us through that narrow gate.

Readings: Isaiah 66:18-21; Psalm 117:1-2; Hebrews 12:5-7, 11-13; Luke 13:22-30.

Nativity of the BVM 9 Sept 2007

This Homily (15 Minutes) by Bishop Michael Warfel explores the Cost of Dicipleship in today's world. Today we also celebrate the Cathedral Parishes Feast Day--The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Readings: Wisdom 9:13-18b; Psalm 90:3-6, 12-17; Philemon 9-10, 12-17; Luke 14:25-33.