Hope for the web of life that is creation is within reach. In light of recent incendiary decisions handed down by the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS), so much has happened since June 12, 1967, when Loving vs. Virginia concluded—with a unanimous SCOTUS vote—that Virginia’s inter-racial marriage ban had violated the Fourteenth Amendment of the…
DetailsAs the world stirs so much contrasting energy these days, we offer this reflection as a “great welcome” into unity. The video was created by Sister Suzanne Rubenbauer, FSPA, to welcome encounter with I AM. She researched some of Prairiewoods’ foundress Betty Daugherty’s files for wisdom. See The Great Welcome: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tVnW-5f0YA Neil Douglas-Klotz offers…
DetailsTwo nights. Out of nowhere. The white dog appeared. Initial fangs bared. Hurt unintentionally. Roped paw released and allowed to run. Awaken to joy. Visit again, my strong companion. By my side. Walking lightly without fear. White glow big bang appears. To the portal. That white dog. Of. My. Soul. There have been more years in my life than not,…
DetailsAt Prairiewoods, we are going through a time of great change. This transitional period can rock us or make us rock-strong. When your small staff of 16 is suddenly down three members, as ours is at Prairiewoods, it feels like a lot of change all at once. And that change can feel anxiety-inducing. However, it…
DetailsAmid the stirring of the world today, we offer an inspiring invitation to simple connection. See https://youtu.be/j9rckyEsmAA. May we each engage the opportunity to make this day a beautiful day. —Ann Jackson, PBVM, Prairiewoods spiritual services coordinator
DetailsI often talk with the Prairiewoods Land, in my own way. Not so much in human words, but with footsteps and breath. With the occasional wow and ah-ha, spoken in surprised delight. I’ve just seen the white buds of wild rose—a new development. I’ve stepped on forest ground, softened by moles and I feel the…
DetailsHumanity needs a break! Having endured the collective traumas of a protracted pandemic, geo-political discord, global upheaval from climate change, the Sixth Great Extinction, massive military conflicts that threaten fragile efforts at “peace,” terrorism, genocide, racism, sexism, misogyny, xenophobia, hate-driven crimes, eco-cide, and socio-cultural and religious melt-downs, we ALL need a break. We need a collective…
DetailsOn a hot and deeply still July afternoon in 2015, I made my first exploration of the land at Prairiewoods. I didn’t know there were maps of the trails, so I just wandered. Stopping where the path overlooked a bend in Dry Creek I saw, many feet below where I stood, a single large blue-gray…
DetailsThe Women of Interfaith Dialogue group gathered virtually for the season of spring. I wrote this poem for the occasion—with great appreciation for Creation’s gift of flowers! Which of your senses are you appreciating the most today? Maybe try writing a poem about it? EXQUISITE GIFT Oh, the palette of petals, the multitudes of flowers,…
Details“When despair for the world grows in me and I wake in the night at the least sound in fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be, I go and lie down where the wood drake rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds. I come into the…
DetailsWouldn’t you love to spend a night soaring through our enchanting universe, surrounded by shining stars and pulsing planets and swirling galaxies? On Saturday, June 4, you’re invited to spend A Night in the Cosmos at Prairiewoods’ annual Garden Party fundraiser. Together we will get swept away by the twinkling lights, an out-of-this-world dinner, and…
DetailsWe eagerly anticipate this weekend’s Spirituality in the 21st Century conference! Together, we co-host Zuni elder Jim Enote, who invites us to listen, feel, see, sense creation’s invitation to G-R-O-W, to deepen awareness of our interdependence with Earth! We hope to see you this weekend to celebrate our co-stewardship with Earth. Check out these three…
DetailsI write this poem in memory of the friends that the Prairiewoods community has lost. THE SPARROWS SING THEIR SPRING SONG The sparrows sing their morning sun song from the soon-to-be-greening boughs. This day, though, breaks without you— our hearts are aching with sorrow. Then, a soft flicker and flutter of feathers— the sparrows rise…
Details“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it…
DetailsTwo weeks from today, we celebrate Earth Day. How will we celebrate? And will we celebrate? Will we spend the day working for Earth justice and committing to a lifetime of Earth care? Shall we treat Earth Day like a special holiday, an important anniversary, a family reunion, a birthday of sorts? Shall we spend…
DetailsInaugural Poet Amanda Gorman asked this question in the first line of her now-famous national elegy: “When day comes, we ask ourselves, where can we find light in this never-ending shade?” Her question, posed in the context of generations of inherited cultural trauma, perpetuated in the name of manifest destiny, is one that gives us…
DetailsAmong many haunting images regarding the incomprehensible, unconscionable situation in Ukraine are images of Vladimir Putin seated at the end of very long tables for meetings with individual Russian government ministers. The disturbing disconnection portrayed in these images stirred a meditation in my own prayer. I began to envision the myriad of people missing from…
DetailsWell here we are again, with a new spring season upon us! We’ve sprung our clocks ahead and the first official day of spring is coming up on Sunday. Hurray! The days are longer already, and the afternoon and evening sunlight will continue to stretch. The days are also warmer, which invites more time outside…
DetailsThis week the world passed the 6 million mark for recorded deaths from Covid. It is a staggering number, one that is difficult to wrap our heads around. Yet each loss is personal and has profound significance for those who knew and loved that person. One of those we lost in 2020 (though not to…
DetailsPrairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center has worked for decades within a global learning community to co-create the “more beautiful world our hearts know is possible.” The Covid-19 pandemic and the ongoing global environmental crisis unmask glaring inequalities that must give way to the common good. We mourn with all who have lost loved ones, with all who…
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