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...
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...
Write So Far: Giving Voice to Your Spiritual Journey
Note: This is a past program held at Prairiewoods in August 2025. For a complete list of our current program and retreat offerings, click here. To paraphrase author and teacher Natalie Goldberg: In knowing who we are and writing from...
The Path of Transformation: A Weekend of Change and Renewal
Note: This is a past program held at Prairiewoods. For a complete list of our current program and retreat offerings, click here. As summer moves toward its close, the world shifts. The light begins to change, the gardens, once green...
From Cafe to Cookbook: Where Plant-based Cooking Meets Community
Recently, I released something close to my heart: The Plantiful Family Favorites Cookbook. But before I tell you what’s in it, let me tell you why. Every time another diet trend comes along—low-fat, low-carb, high-protein—it’s easy to lose sight of...
Becoming the Elder Tree: Lessons from Grandmother Oak
Note: This is a past program held at Prairiewoods. For a complete list of our current program and retreat offerings, click here. Perhaps Prairiewoods’ greatest teacher is the venerated Grandmother Oak. Thousands are drawn to her majestic presence every year,...
Dear Younger Me
Note: This is a past program held at Prairiewoods. For a complete list of our current program and retreat offerings, click here. Dear Younger Me by Mercy Me Dear younger me Where do I start If I could tell you...
Healing. Restoring. Understanding.
In a world filled with hurt and pain, it can feel impossible to find a way to heal. But even in the chaos, it’s vital that we pause —to rest, to reflect, and to revive ourselves so we can become...
Prairiewoods: A Place of Healing
Here are just a few ways healing happens at Prairiewoods. On a recent Monday evening, a small group listened to a short reading about the practice of meditation and then sat in silence for 30 minutes. All of us in...
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
...
Pausing for Inner Peace
Mindfulness concepts and meditation practices have a rich and diverse 25-century history. I was recently challenged to distill some of them into a 30-minute presentation for Mercy Cedar Rapids Hospice staff. I recast meditation into pausing to make it more...
Circles of Trust: Nurturing the Authentic Self & Relational Trust
Note: This is a past program held at Prairiewoods. For a complete list of our current program and retreat offerings, click here. We are living in times made for Circles of Trust. And Circles of Trust are made for Prairiewoods,...
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,...
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...
Carrying the Torch: Reflections on The Awakened Brain Event
Note: This is a past program held at Prairiewoods. For a complete list of our current program and retreat offerings, click here. In early May, we gathered in Cedar Rapids for Spirituality in the 21st Century: The Awakened Brain—a powerful...