Reflections on Soil retreat

Only the Lover Sings:

A guided retreat on poetic thinking and living –  working out the propositions in Josef Pieper’s work Only the Lover Sings. 

Join Natalie Finn, Charlotte Ostermann, and the JPII Catholic Worker Farm for a day of work, leisure, contemplation, and feasting.

Saturday, November 7th

2-9pm

Why a retreat on a Josef Pieper book?

“At stake here is this: How can man be saved from becoming a totally passive consumer of mass-produced goods and a subservient follower beholden to every slogan the managers may proclaim? The question really is: How can man preserve and safeguard the foundation of his spiritual dimension and an uncorrupted relationship to reality?” 

So says Josef Pieper in Essay #2 of the compilation, entitled Learning How to See Again.

This retreat is intended to be an exercise and conversation following this question proposed by Pieper. His answer is given away in the title “Only the Lover Sings,” yet there is a great deal to uncover in between for each one of us personally.

Through intentionally moving in the rhythm of work, contemplation, leisure, and feasting, we practice the essential rhythm which prepares us for the true feast: The Marriage of the Lamb.

The Schedule

9:30am-12pm        Volunteer at the JPII Catholic Worker Farm (Optional)
12-1:15pm Lunch for Volunteers
1:15-1:50pm Tour of the JPII CW Farm (optional)
Official Retreat (2-9pm)
2pm Prayer / Introduction
2:15-2:35pm Talk by Charlotte Ostermann on Poetic Thinking
2:35-2:50pm Exercises in Poetic Thinking (Metaphor Warm-ups)
3-3:30pm Silent Lectio Divina
3:30-3:45pm Break
3:45-4:30pm Discussion of the Text 
4:30-5:45pm Exercises in Poetic Thinking
5:45-6pm Break
6-8pm Dinner 
8-9pm Meditation and Music around the Fire
Conclude with Night Prayer

Q&A

Will I need to read the book before coming?

Since the retreat will be an exercise in living out the ideas Josef Piefer proposes, we encourage everyone to prepare themselves for the retreat by reading talks 5-7 titled “Three Talks in a Sculptor’s Studio” (pages 59-76). The main themes of the books are expressed in this portion, so our discussion will be centered around these.

If you have the time and would like to read the beginning portion of the book, it will only add to your preparation! It is a short work, totalling 76 pages.

What is included in the cost of the retreat? And how do I pay?

The $25 retreat cost includes a copy of Josef Pieper’s Only the Lover Sings and dinner! 

Cash, Check, or Venmo are all acceptable forms of payment.

I see that the book is included in the cost of the retreat. How will I get it?

Upon signing up for the retreat, Natalie will reach out to coordinate your book retrieval. You can either plan a time to pick up the book from the JPII CW Farm, or coordinate an alternate location. 

What do I need to bring to the retreat?

Please bring:

A journal and something to write with.

A folding chair and/or blanket.

Your copy of Only the Lover Sings.

Can I bring anything additional?

If you’d like to contribute a side, dessert, or drink to the dinner, you’re more than welcome to! Please let us know ahead of time, if possible, so we can ensure space in the fridge if needed.

Though it is an urban farm setting, we ask that people not bring pets, as this can disturb the other animals.

I’m not artistically or musically inclined…. Can I still come?

YES! The invitation to “behold reality” is for all, for as Pieper so boldly claims, there can be no feast without a loving acceptance of reality. 

Where do I sign up?

Right here!

About the Presenters

Natalie Finn

Charlotte Ostermann

Natalie resides at the JPII Catholic Worker Farm, after an initial 4-month period as a Worker-Scholar. For many years, she has felt a calling to help prepare the Church as Bride for Christ the Bridegroom. This retreat is one of many fruits of that call. She is grateful to Charlotte, who has had an immense impact on the way she understands poetry and creativity, and is delighted that others will have the opportunity to receive this gift as well.

Charlotte has been weaving poetry and faith together for many years as a spiritual mentor, author, and inspirational speaker. She is the author of Souls at Rest – An Exploration of the Eucharistic Sabbath, Souls at Work – An Invitation to Freedom, Souls at Play – Reflections on Creativity and Faith, Making Sunday Special, Catholics Communicate Christ, Upschooling, and recently, Dance of the Scarecrows. Her Freedom Trilogy workbooks lead readers into the practice of interior freedom through an elegant language of words and symbols. 

For any inquiries, please contact:

Natalie Finn
nataliefinn@gmail.com