Second & Fourth Wednesdays each month, 7:30-9pm *Remote Via Zoom (PST)
Centering Prayer is a practice to foster our relationship with God. It prepares us for the gift of contemplation. It is a movement beyond conversation to communion and union with God. Centering Prayer is not meant to replace other kinds of prayer; rather it casts new light & depth of meaning on all types of prayer. Come and pray with us.
The Mary & Joseph Retreat Center Centering Prayer group will gather on Zoom on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays each month at
7:30 to 9 PM. Contact Herb Kaighan at to register.
Cost: Donation
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Sydne Yanko-Jongbloed Tuesday evenings 7-9pm, beginning in September ~ call for dates and more information
Please join us and enjoy the “piece-ful” art of quilting. Learn to hand-piece, applique and quilt, making a quilt for yourself as well as being part of the group quilt donated to the Retreat Center. Class fee will be a shared donation to cover the cost of the materials for the MJRC quilt as well as your own supplies. Bring a friend!! Call in advance to register with Sydne at or 310.802.6376 or
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Sydne Yanko-Jongbloed Third Wednesday of each month at 4:00pm
We discuss a new book each month in light of our own spirituality. Meet with us on-campus or call for location (we sometimes meet off-site). Call Sydne at 310.802.6376 or email at for book titles and information.
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Friday, December 11, 2020 ~ Major Fundraiser for Mary & Joseph Retreat Center
“How to Stay Spiritually Hydrated in a World that Depletes Us”
Zoom Presentation with Terry Hershey, Author, Speaker, Minister Friday, December 11, 2020 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
During this difficult year of shutdowns and restrictions, we have remained safely open to the public but, it has been a struggle to maintain our Center and sustain operations. It is an ongoing and costly challenge, and as pandemic conditions continue, we need the help of our friends and supporters to make it into the new year. We have introduced online retreat programs, and in that spirit we invite you to an evening of spiritual sustenance and renewal with acclaimed presenter Rev. Terry Hershey via Zoom. We will gather remotely in fellowship, to enjoy a meal, celebrate and to support Mary & Joseph in it’s time of need.
Terry has volunteered his time for our fundraiser ~ a vote of confidence that means so much to us. He is an author, humorist, inspirational speaker, and ordained minister. He treasures “sanctuary” and sharing his practice of “pausing” to help us rest, renew, and live wholehearted. A delicious dinner will be prepared for you to serve in your home to family and guests. Pick-up will be at the main entrance to the Retreat Center, 12 noon-5 pm.
“Let us raise a glass to the enduring value of Mary & Joseph Retreat Center so that we can continue to dance, to sing, to tell stories and to enjoy the sweet territory of silence.” ~ Terry Hershey
The evening also includes the final opportunity drawing for our beautiful, queen size, handmade quilt “East Meets West”. ~ Loving crafted by the Mary & Joseph Quilters
For questions, reservations or to purchase tickets, contact Sydne Yanko-Jongbloed, 310-377-4867 ext. 221 or .
This quilt takes its name from the stunning array of hand pieced fans. East & West come together in harmony and elegance — the East in the richly detailed Asian themed fabric, and the West in the distinctly American pattern “Grandmother’s Fan” style of quilting. Sensu, the Japanese word for fan, is a symbol of breath, change and spirit-moving. The Spirit flows even to the back of this quilt! It features Asian fabric won at the South Bay Quilt Guild Show and donated to the Mary & Joseph quilt group!
https://maryjoseph.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/logo.png00Jan Nowinskihttps://maryjoseph.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/logo.pngJan Nowinski2020-11-06 11:22:522020-11-13 10:56:09Major Fundraiser with Terry Hershey
3rd Prize Weekend Retreat for 2 or a “Suite” Retreat for 2 (Value up to $300)
Suggested Donation for tickets: $5 each; 5 for $20; 15 for $50
This quilt takes its name from the stunning array of hand pieced fans. East & West come together in harmony and elegance — the East in the richly detailed Asian themed fabric, and the West in the distinctly American pattern “Grandmother’s Fan” style of quilting. Sensu, the Japanese word for fan, is a symbol of breath, change and spirit-moving. The Spirit flows even to the back of this quilt! It features Asian fabric won at the South Bay Quilt Guild Show and donated to the Mary & Joseph quilt group!
Special Thanks to the Mary & Joseph Quilters
Winner Need Not Be Present
Proceeds to support retreat center operations and areas of greatest need.
Revelations from Personal Mandala Making
Rev. Paula Vukmanic
First Saturday each month beginning April 2, 2022 10:00am to Noon
New Ongoing Monthly Mandala Making Group ~ Dates in 2022: April 2, May 7, June 4, July 2
This will be a group process that makes space for ourselves and God by the sharing of a mandala. The personal mandala will have been created ahead of the group session. Based on a theme emailed ahead of the session, each participant will present their mandala, sharing the revelations and insights gained by creating their mandala. Mandala making can become a spiritual tool and the reflections given and received in the group can open one to a greater appreciation of one’s self and God’s presence in our challenged lives. The sessions will last approximately two hours.
The Rev. Paula Vukmanic retired as Rector of St Francis Episcopal Church in Palos Verdes Estates in 2021. Mandala making has been a part of her spiritual practice and ministry for many years. Paula has given workshops and retreats on the mandala, taught plein aire and still life painting and works as a professional artist in the mediums of oils and pastels. She is excited to share the healing ministry of mandala making.
https://maryjoseph.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/10-9-Sacred-Geometry.jpg4501200Jan Nowinskihttps://maryjoseph.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/logo.pngJan Nowinski2022-02-17 16:56:292022-03-10 11:58:42Revelations from Personal Mandala Making
Revelations from Personal Mandala Making
Rev. Paula Vukmanic
First Saturday each month beginning April 2, 2022 10:00am to Noon
New Ongoing Monthly Mandala Making Group ~ Dates in 2022: April 2, May 7, June 4, July 2
This will be a group process that makes space for ourselves and God by the sharing of a mandala. The personal mandala will have been created ahead of the group session. Based on a theme emailed ahead of the session, each participant will present their mandala, sharing the revelations and insights gained by creating their mandala. Mandala making can become a spiritual tool and the reflections given and received in the group can open one to a greater appreciation of one’s self and God’s presence in our challenged lives. The sessions will last approximately two hours.
The Rev. Paula Vukmanic retired as Rector of St Francis Episcopal Church in Palos Verdes Estates in 2021. Mandala making has been a part of her spiritual practice and ministry for many years. Paula has given workshops and retreats on the mandala, taught plein aire and still life painting and works as a professional artist in the mediums of oils and pastels. She is excited to share the healing ministry of mandala making.
https://maryjoseph.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/10-9-Sacred-Geometry.jpg4501200Jan Nowinskihttps://maryjoseph.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/logo.pngJan Nowinski2022-02-17 16:56:292022-02-17 16:56:29Revelations from Personal Mandala Making
Gratefulness Gatherings with Christine Sanchirico Third Thursday of each month in 2021 from 4-5:30pm *Remote Via Zoom
Experience, deepen, and share the power of living gratefully. Bring gratitude to life… We hold grateful living as an engaged mindfulness practice, grounded in both wisdom and science, which supports our ability to see the wonder and opportunity in every moment, and motivates us to act boldly with love, generosity, and respect towards one another, ourselves, and the Earth. Gratefulness Gatherings are an opportunity to cultivate a space where we can explore grateful living as an orientation to life. These Gatherings take place at the local level, in person, hosted by community members.
Learn more at Gratefulness.org ~ a Network for Grateful Living is a global organization offering community-based and online educational programs and practices which inspire and guide a commitment to grateful living, and catalyze the transformative power of personal and societal responsibility. Contact Christine Sanchirico at for more information or to register.
* This event’s overnight accommodations are currently full. If you would like to be on a waitlist in case overnight space becomes available, call Jose Salas at 310.377.4867 or email him at . There is still space available to attend as a commuter ~ this option includes all presentations and meals.
This Is The Life: Finding Grace in Each Moment
Rev. Terry Hershey
6:00pm Friday, August 27 to 1:30pm Sunday, August 29, 2021
Before we trade in this life for the life we “should” have, let us taste This Life–meaning the invitation to honor the dignity that is reflected by God’s goodness and grace. We are wired to pause: to embrace the sacrament of the present; to see, hear, taste and touch grace, and the sacred in our world. So, before we trade in our life for the life we “should” have, let us taste This Life. What makes your heart come alive today? Here’s our invitation: Today, let us embrace epiphanies. Let us appreciate a willingness to be surprised. Let us relish the sacred in the ordinary.
Terry Hershey is an author, ordained minister, humorist, and inspirational speaker. He divides his time between designing sanctuary gardens and sharing his practice of “pausing” and “sanctuary,” to help us do less and live more. Terry’s book, Sanctuary: Creating Places for Grace in Your Life, offers the permission to slow down and to be gentle with ourselves.
https://maryjoseph.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/8-27-Hershey.jpg4501200Jan Nowinskihttps://maryjoseph.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/logo.pngJan Nowinski2021-04-08 12:25:492021-07-23 00:11:10This Is The Life with Rev. Terry Hershey
Gratefulness Gatherings with Christine Sanchirico Third Thursday of each month in 2021 from 4-5:30pm *Remote Via Zoom
Experience, deepen, and share the power of living gratefully. Bring gratitude to life… We hold grateful living as an engaged mindfulness practice, grounded in both wisdom and science, which supports our ability to see the wonder and opportunity in every moment, and motivates us to act boldly with love, generosity, and respect towards one another, ourselves, and the Earth. Gratefulness Gatherings are an opportunity to cultivate a space where we can explore grateful living as an orientation to life. These Gatherings take place at the local level, in person, hosted by community members.
Learn more at Gratefulness.org ~ a Network for Grateful Living is a global organization offering community-based and online educational programs and practices which inspire and guide a commitment to grateful living, and catalyze the transformative power of personal and societal responsibility. Contact Christine Sanchirico at for more information or to register.
