Living with Enthusiasm

2022 June Blog by Marian Durkin, CSA  I recently returned from a three month Sabbatical in South Carolina at Springbank Retreat dedicated to Eco -Spirituality and the Arts.

It was truly an awesome experience. Springbank was originally a plantation and the beautiful grounds have huge live oak trees that are hundreds of years old. Grandmother Tree, my favorite, is said to be between 800-1200 years old. Because the Ukraine war began while I was on Sabbatical, I would sit under Grandmother tree each morning and say the rosary for Ukraine. It was a very special time for me.

Numerous trails in the woods, a labyrinth, a gazebo, the Stations of the Cross and various homes for the staff and guests are all part of the 80 acres.

There were four of us on Sabbatical beginning in February and finishing in May. We participated in all the programs including a weekend focused on the Universe Story; a Thomas Merton retreat; yoga; pottery making; basket weaving and a very inspiring Holy Week retreat just to name a few. I am quite proud of my pottery and my baskets. I guess I didn’t know I had it in me!

I will always be grateful to my congregation, The Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine, for making this Sabbatical possible.

So much of what I experienced parallels what Centering Space offers. I’m grateful to have Centering Space to come back to. I’m looking forward to Wayne Simsic’s upcoming program on Thomas Merton and Mary Oliver as it will take me back to Springbank memories once again.

When our Sabbatical experience was ending, the staff prepared a beautiful farewell service. This prayer over me summarizes my hopes for the future:

“Today we pray with/and for Marian as she begins her journey
to live deeply, with purpose
to live freely, with detachment
to live wisely, with humility
to live mindfully, with awareness
to live gratefully with generosity
to live fully with enthusiasm.”
Amen