Sometimes religion makes it seem like God is usually disappointed or even angry at us.  When this poet questioned God, she heard a different kind of answer.

Maybe God is more on our side than we think?

God Says Yes To Me

I asked God if it was okay to be melodramatic
and she said yes
I asked her if it was okay to be short
and she said it sure is
I asked her if I could wear nail polish
or not wear nail polish
and she said honey
she calls me that sometimes
she said you can do just exactly
what you want to
Thanks God I said
And is it even okay if I don't paragraph
my letters
Sweetcakes God said
who knows where she picked that up
what I'm telling you is
Yes Yes Yes

—Kaylin Haught

Busy is good; quiet is good,too. We’ve had a wonderful fall at the Cenacle with a full schedule of groups for retreats and conferences. From September through November we have been sprinting toward the end of the year, keeping up with a steady flow of guests coming and going.  We love it!  In a few weeks then, as Christmas approaches, the pace slows down dramatically.  It’s time to catch up on some deep cleaning (and catch our breath) and to complete a major project of renovating our bathrooms.  They will have a fresh, bright new look for the new year. Then, we’ll see off 2014 with the annual New Year’s Eve Retreat and launch into the new year on January 1 hosting a three day meditation retreat. Quiet is good; busy is good, too.

The Cenacle now offers complimentary wireless internet access to all guests. Of course retreatants still can enjoy an atmosphere of blessed disconnectedness from the daily routine, but if need be they can stay in touch in a quiet and peaceful space.

Already many groups have scheduled their retreats, conferences and training sessions in the 2015 Cenacle Retreat & Conference center calendar. That's greats news but...it becomes all the more important to book your own retreat or meeting before things fill up. The process is easy. You can reach Bob or Crystal at 773-528-6300, cchan@cenaclechicago.org , or rraccuglia@cenaclechicago.org . Or go to the CRCC web site