Care For Creation: A Conversation with Dr. Lisa Dahill
For three decades, Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center has embraced a deep commitment to caring for creation—integrating eco-spirituality into every aspect of our community and mission. A spirit of reverence for Earth infuses all we do—from sustainably designed facilities and organic gardens to programming that reflects our interconnectedness with all life, the Source of All Being, […]
Harvesting Sun and Soil: Agrivoltaics in Action at Prairiewoods
What do you get when you combine agriculture and solar farming? The answer is, Agri-voltaics! Agrivoltaics is a common worldwide practice and is a great way to utilize land under and around solar arrays by growing shade tolerant fruits and vegetables, native plants or hosting grazing livestock. Prairiewoods has taken on this practice under our […]
Grandmother Oak
they treasured grandmother oak stately tall and free they pray they don’t just say may she grow ever taller and hatred in this world grow smaller. —Mark Hanley
Grandmother Oak
Singer/songwriter Lea Morris was born in Washington, DC, and now lives in Germany, traveling the world to share her songs and experiences to lift hearts and connect communities. She visited Prairiewoods during her first trip to Iowa. During her stay, she got the chance to visit with Grandmother Oak. We invite you to listen to […]
Swimming
The other day I was walking near the woods and the birds were so vocal, all together, that it reminded me of the holidays back home when I was growing up. And the poem Swimming appeared. I love this season as the murmurations start back into full swing. This is something I was able to see growing up. […]
Nature, Science & Resilience, Oh My!
Note: This is a past program held at Prairiewoods. For a complete list of our current program and retreat offerings, click here. Interconnectedness is one of the underpinnings of ecological spirituality. For many of us, it is something we innately know or feel. For others, the concept remains abstract. Dr. Lisa Miller—author and researcher from […]
Stewards of Divine Creation: God’s Guests
We are all guests of God’s hospitality. The world in which we live is pure gift,” proclaims theologian Monika Hellwig in her famous work Guests of God: Stewards of Divine Creation. Our very existence, human nature, consciousness, intelligence, creativity … all are gift. Companionship of other humans, plant and animal life, water, air, minerals, light, […]
Terra Divina: A Spiritual Practice of Engaging with Earth
Note: This is a past program held at Prairiewoods. For a complete list of our current program and retreat offerings, click here. After the festive month of December, January often feels like a slog. The fun is over, and now we’re left with just winter. True, the light is returning, but there are still months […]
Food as a Pathway to Peace
Note: This is a past program held at Prairiewoods. For a complete list of our current program and retreat offerings, click here. “What would happen, for example, if we were to start thinking about food as less of a thing and more of a relationship?” —Michael Pollan Peace, as defined by the Earth Charter, is […]