Astrology Workshop at a Catholic Retreat Center

[Micki]

Here’s a link to a Catholic Retreat Center that is offering a workshop on astrology.

It’s titled “The Bible and Astronomy” which is misleading as the details specifically refer to astrology and not the science of astronomy.

Here’s the link. Scroll about half way down—

stellamarisretreatcenter.com/events_programs.jsp

What do you think?

 

[Geremia]

What do you think?

The Bible and Astronomy
November 1, 2008 (Saturday)
10 am to 2:30

Fee: $40.00
Deposit: NA

This exciting day will address “all you wanted to know about Astrology, but were afraid to ask”. Fr. John will address how astrology is already part of our lives, and will address Astrology as it appears in the Bible. If time permits, Fr. will reflect on our astrological signs and give participants a positive possibility of their particular energies. We will end with Liturgy.
Rev. John Rich, MM

There are hints to astrology in the bible (e.g. Genesis 1:14), but this “Catholic” retreat is not Catholic when “Fr. will reflect on our astrological signs and give participants a positive possibility of their particular energies.” It sounds like New Age spirituality.

This is the sorrowful state of the Church. I have seen this New Age garbage in other retreats, too. With such a rich tradition we have, must we relinquish it and resort to novelties and other false religions instead? Adiuva nos, Domine!

 

[beckycmarie]

Unfortunately, it seems most retreat centers are contaminated by New Age, offering workshops on reiki, the enneagram, astrology, etc. If someone has found a retreat center that is loyal to the Church, I’d like to hear about it.

 

[FCEGM]

Here’s a link to a Catholic Retreat Center that is offering a workshop on astrology.

It’s titled “The Bible and Astronomy” which is misleading as the details specifically refer to astrology and not the science of astronomy.

Here’s the link. Scroll about half way down—

stellamarisretreatcenter.com/events_programs.jsp

What do you think?

Unfortunately, nothing promoted by supposed Catholic retreat houses surprises me. You might write to the director (and the local bishop and the head of the religious superior of the congregation that owns the center) asking them how this retreat conforms to the explicit teaching of the Church as found in the Catechism:

2116 All forms of divination are to be rejected: recourse to Satan or demons, conjuring up the dead or other practices falsely supposed to “unveil” the future. Consulting horoscopes, astrology, palm reading, interpretation of omens and lots, the phenomena of clairvoyance, and recourse to mediums all conceal a desire for power over time, history, and, in the last analysis, other human beings, as well as a wish to conciliate hidden powers. They contradict the honor, respect, and loving fear that we owe to God alone.

 

[Verbum_Caro]

%between%What do you think?

I think that is an insult to Our Lady to have one of her titles associated with this place.

I often do a google search of sites to see how many times they mention Jesus. While not dispositive of anything in particular, it does make me wonder when I find:

Your search - site:stellamarisretreatcenter.com/ christ - did not match any documents.

and yet a search for “Gaia” returns a hit.

:doh2:

VC

 

[Roza]

New Age just in the US or all over? Yeah, that definitely sounds NAM to me too. That’s getting into a popular wiccan day too.

 

[Micki]

Thanks for all of your responses. I plan on writing the Retreat Center and forwarding the letter to the Bishop. I will include the quote from the catechism.

Micki

 

[JimR-OCDS]

There also having a Winter Solstice celebration.

This would be during Advent, in fact, just a few days before we celebrate the birth of Christ.

There’s a problem there.

Jim

 

[LindaS]

Unfortunately, it seems most retreat centers are contaminated by New Age, offering workshops on reiki, the enneagram, astrology, etc. If someone has found a retreat center that is loyal to the Church, I’d like to hear about it.

St. Joseph’s in the Hills, Malvern, PA. A lay-owned facility in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, PA. Dh & I recently attended a retreat there led by Fr. Mitch Pacwa, and I yearly attend the Women of Grace retreats led by Johnette Benkovic. Mother Nadine also leads retreats there. Wonderful place.

Peace,
Linda

 

[beckycmarie]

Thanks Linda - glad to hear there is at least one good one out there.