School of Prayer Advent Series

Advent “School of Prayer” Series

Dates: Saturdays, December 6, 13, 20

Time: Each session will be 9am-1pm

Cost: $30 per session or $80 for all three (cost includes coffee and lunch)

Scholarships might be available. Please inquire at info@bergamocenter.org

Session 1: Prayers and Prayer: A School of Prayer

December 6, 2025

Using the Advent readings as a background, Joe McHugh will briefly describe Advent as a time of hope and prayer, especially in our fractured, polarized world. It will also approach the scripture as an occasion for prayer, a time of being with God personally and socially, rather than just a source of abstract theological speculation. We will practice praying with scripture and using the “examen” prayer in daily life.

Led by:

Joe McHugh, A.B. M.A., M.Div. is a highly experienced spiritual director who also trains and supervises aspiring directors. A founding member of the ecumenical Spiritual Direction Certification Program at Southern Methodist University, Joe has deep roots in Ignatian spirituality and is comfortable working with Catholic and Mainline Protestants, including priests, pastors and congregational leaders. An award-winning writer, Joe regularly writes about spirituality and spiritual direction for a variety of publications. His book, Startled by God, was published in 2013.

Stephen Rivet, has been trained in spiritual direction and is a member of SDI – Spiritual Directors International. He has a Master of Pastoral Studies from Loyola University – New Orleans and a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Wayne State University – Detroit.

Session 2: Visio Divina - Gaudete! Rejoice!

December 13, 2025

Continuing the contemplative practices theme, this session will include praying through the practice of Visio Divina and creative expression. We will explore the third week of Advent's message: Gaudete! Rejoice!

Led by:

Michelle Sherman, MA, is on the national staff of Pax Christi USA and is a former Bergamo board member. Formed through the Sisters of Mercy's Spiritual Direction Formation Program, she is a spiritual director and retreat presenter who has led retreats nationally and internationally.

Session 3: Preparing with Mary for the Coming of Christ

December 20, 2025

We will spend our Saturday morning with Mary, preparing our hearts for the coming of the Spirit of the risen Christ. We will be asking Mary to join us because she is the one who best attracted the fruitful spirit of our living God into her life from the beginning until the end. Since Pentecost she continues to be the model for all of us in giving birth to the spirit of the risen Christ.

We will utilize three segments during our morning together:

• During our first segment we will focus on the narrative of the Annunciation from Luke utilizing primarily Lectio Divina and certain images of the Annunciation from Fra Angelica.
• During our second segment we will focus on the Visitation account from Luke utilizing primarily music and Audio Divina, featuring “your holy name”.
• The third segment will utilize the account of Pentecost from the Acts of the Apostles and we will pray with mary and give birth today to the spirit of the risen Christ in community utilizing Lectio Divina.

Led by:

Thomas Schroer, S.M. Has been a vowed Marianist for over 64 years. He is presently the chaplain for the Marianist community at St. Leonard’s.