August 11
Online Poetry Reading for Traveling Mollys
Along With Poets Virginia Bell, Ricki Cummings, Terry Lucas and Patrick Reardon
7 p.m. (Central Time)
Click on link to join: Traveling Mollys Literary Reading Series – YouTube
August 17
In Person Monthly Meeting of the St. Mary Monastery Oblates
Talk on “Yearning for Life: The Prologue to The Rule of St. Benedict”
Holy Trinity Parish Hall, Bloomington IL
1:30 p.m. (Central Time)
August 30
Podcast Interview on The Italian Soul
9 a.m. (Central)
Golden State Media Concepts Book Review with Host Sarah Meckler
Contact Sarah Meckler: smeckler@goldenstatemc.net
September 3-18
Benedictine Footprints
Contemplative, Cultural, Culinary Retreat/Pilgrimage in Italy
Contact Judith Valente: JValente17@msn.com
(Currently taking reservations for the 2026 retreat)
October 14
In Person, Luther Oaks Senior Center Book Club
Conversation on my book “How to Live: What The Rule of St. Benedict Teaches Us About Happiness, Meaning and Community”
9 a.m. (Central Time)
October 18
Online Poetry Program
“How to Be a Contemplative”
2 p.m. Eastern Time, sponsored by Church on the Hill, Weston VT
October 19
In person program
“Thomas Merton and La Dolce Vita”
2 pm. Central Time, Chicago Chapter of the International Thomas Merton Society
Euclid Avenue United Methodist Church, 405 S. Euclid Ave, Oak Park, IL
November 1
Savoring the Full Joys of Life: A Day of Reflection
In Person
10 am – 2 pm (Eastern)
Kirkland Community College, Grayling, Michigan
Contact Millie Mellgren: mellgrenm@gmail.com
November 7-9
Thomas Merton & Dorothy Day: Contemplative Wisdom for Crisis Times
In Person
St. Mary Monastery, Rock Island, Illinois
Contact Sister Bobbi Bussan: rbussan@smmsisters.org
November 21-22
What Italy Can Teach Us About Celebrating Thanksgiving and Christmas More Fully
Online
Sponsored by Sophia Retreat Center, Atchison, Kansas
Contact: sophia@mountosb.org
November 28-30
In Person Retreat “Maintaining a Contemplative Calm in Crisis Times”
Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health
57 Interlaken Rd, Stockton, MA 01262
December 2
In Person Talk, Luther Oaks Senior Center
“La Dolce Vita: What We Can Learn from Italy About Living More Mindfully and Joyfully”
2 p.m. (Central Time)
December 4
In Person “Advent by Candlelight” Talk
St. Patrick’s of Merna Church, Bloomington IL
6:30 p.m. (Central Time)
