WELCOME!

Registration for Sept 16-17

Name:_________________________
Email: _______________________
Phone: ______________________
Address:_____________________

City, Zip:_____________________
Parish: ______________________

O Childcare needed

$____

($5 per family per session)

___Wednesday (6:15-8:30pm)
___Thursday (9:00-11:15am)
Names and ages of children:
_______________________
_______________________
$____
($15 per session or $40/all 3 sessions)

O Coming for the soup dinner

$____
(Wednesday 5:30-6:30) ($5 per meal)

O Coming for the salad lunch

$____
(Thursday 11:15-12:30) ($5 per meal)

$____

(Please make checks payable to

Immaculate Heart of Mary)
(At this time we only accept cash or checks.)

Registration Options:
Register online at

www.firstfruits.info

Contact Lynda Gilpin at 262-993-0096 or

email LyndaGilpin@firstfruits.info

Turn in paper registration forms to

6:30-8:30pm (Wednesday evening)

9:15 11:15am (Thursday morning)

1:00-2:30pm (Thursday afternoon)

Register for one, two, or all three sessions. In

between sessions come relax in the Kiwi-Caf
with a cup of coffee and a variety of homemade
goodies. You are also welcome to join us for a
salad lunch and/or a soup dinner.

O Registered for ____ sessions

Total enclosed

On Firstfruits mini-retreat days you are

welcome to visit us any time. There are,
however, three sessions of structured time
during each retreat day when spiritual
opportunities are offered for women of all
ages.

Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish Office

Future Firstfruits Dates...

2015
Sept 16-17*

Immaculate Heart of MaryWest Allis

Oct 6-7*

St.. EugeneFox Point

Oct 26-27*

St. AnthonyPewaukee

2016
Feb 1-2*

St. AnthonyPewaukee

Apr 21-22*

St. AlphonsusGreendale

May 2-3*

St. AnthonyPewaukee

*During 2-day events, Evening sessions are offered on

the 1st day, Morning/Afternoon sessions are on the
2nd day.

ALL ARE WELCOME!

Sept 16-17, 2015

(Wednesday evening,
Thursday daytime)

Sponsor:

West Allis Tri-Parish

Cluster

Come and be nourished!

Cost: $15/session or $40/all 3 sessions

Childcare: $5/family per session
Available morning (Thurs. 9:0011:15am) & evening (Wed. 6:158:30pm) sessions only.
Pre-registration required.
Meals: $5/meal
Salad lunch and /or soup dinner.
Offerings: Please see other side for
offering descriptions and schedule.
Registration: Details on form at left.
Check-In: Please arrive 15-30 minutes
early to the morning or evening
sessions to allow for check-in.

A Gathering For Women

Site:
Website: Firstfruits.info
Executive Director: Joan Carey
JoanCarey@firstfruits.info
262-271-7859
Registration: Lynda Gilpin
LyndaGilpin@firstfruits.info
262-993-0096
Contact Joan to bring Firstfruits to your
group.

Immaculate
Heart of Mary
1212 South 117th Street
West Allis, WI 53214
414-453-5192
www.ihmwestallis.com

September 16-17th at Immaculate Heart of Mary, West Allis

Body Wisdom: Compassionate Self-Care Practices ~

Offering Descriptions...A Feast of Opportunities ...

Journaling With the Labyrinth ~ What is a labyrinth?

The Spirituality of the Parables of Jesus ~ Jesus

How can this ancient prayer form calm my body and open
my mind to more clearly hear God speaking to me? This
presentation will include an explanation of the labyrinth as
well as specific instructions on possible ways to use a paper
labyrinth for journaling. You will be given time to try this
unique prayer method and then we will discuss the process
you experienced and how you can incorporate it into your
own personal prayer life!
Carol Sullivan
Retreat Leader, Spiritual Director

primarily taught in parables. Why Jesus taught in this simple,

yet complex, form of story-telling continues to capture the
imaginations of those who love the Word of God. All the
parables begin with loss: the lost coin, the lost sheep, the
lost son, the lost seed, etc. Yet this loss leads to an
encounter with God which is the beginning of the spiritual
life. Fidelity to our spiritual lives leads to the Kingdom of God
which is experienced here among us now! The Kingdom of
God is in your midst! Come discover the intrigue of the
parables and how they capture the Christ-invitation even
today.
Mary Matestic MTS, St. Francis Seminary

Prayer: Food for the Journey ~ Women in scripture and

in our faith tradition have given us many examples to assist
us in understanding how the way we pray changes during
our lifetime. Well learn from Therese of Lisieux, Prisca and
Julian of Norwich along with examples from Joyce Rupps
book, The Cup of Our Life, the many styles of prayer and
how to discern our prayer style.
Thelma Walker
Certificates in Theology and Adult and Family Ministry
Past Director, Office for Women, Milwaukee Archdiocese

Internet Safety ~ Internet crimes are on the rise. Crimes

such as on-line harassment, bullying, fake accounts, sexting
and trading pics, and revenge and exposure crimes are
becoming all too common. Parents need to educate
themselves on this topic in order to be the first line of
defense. Come and learn from Sgt. Marla Martin about the
dangers of social media as well as other accessible internet
sites. She will review popular sites such as Facebook,
Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat as well as the sites not well
known to parents but wildly utilized by teens and potential
predators as well as discuss the consequences and long term
effects to victims and their families.
Sgt. Marla Martin, West Allis Police Dept,
Liaison officer West Allis High Schools

Finding Balance in Our Lives with Jesuss Peace ~ As

women, we often feel different pressures and a sense of
being pulled in many directions. The true source of balance
and peace is most often overlooked in all the magazines, talk
shows and self-help books. This source is the truth and
mercy from our Savior, Jesus Christ. Please join us as we
explore ways to simply change our everyday thinking
patterns to ones that more closely imitate the mind of Christ
and thus grant us greater peace and balance.
Tammy Groszczyk M.S., LPC, Licensed Psychotherapist,
Lakefront Wellness Center, Pewaukee

Living Through Lifes Losses ~ In this interactive session,

Lifes demands and difficult situations can leave us feeling

worn out physically, emotionally and spiritually. And yet we
often neglect to care for ourselves. Body Wisdom teaches
simple but effective practices which can help relieve the
symptoms of stress. The practices involve gentle movement,
quiet reflection, calming breath work, simple finger holds,
safe touch and more. When accompanied by the intention of
connecting with God, these practices also become a form of
compassionate body prayer.
Marjorie Wilbur

The Stages of a Womans Life ~ Taking the first two

chapters of Lukes gospel along with Ericksons and Gilligans
stages of growth as an overlay, we will look at the stages of a
womans life as depicted through Mary, Elizabeth and Anna.
The youthful Mary makes a major decision, Elizabeth the
middle-aged woman assesses her contributions to life, and
Anna the 84-year-old looks forward with trust.
Sister Mary Carroll, Sacred Heart School of Theology

Domestic Violence: How Can You Help ~ The National

Council of Catholic Women responds to domestic violence
against women through their program Women Healing the
Wounds. You may not think you know someone affected by
Domestic Violence but you probably do and just dont know
it. It could be a family member, a person in your church, a
friend, or your neighbor. Not knowing doesnt save lives,
information can. Come and learn how you can help.
Jean Kelly, Province Director, MACCW

we will explore the many losses experienced throughout

ones lifetime. We will look at our own stories which reveal
many lessons learned, and the useful coping skills
developed. Finding ways to care for our body, mind and
spirit when we experience loss, will also be discussed. You
will find healing and hope in the message of the resiliency of
the human spirit.
Kathy Czarniak RN.,
Parish Nurse, Grief Support Group Leader

Love and Logic ~ Love and Logic is a great way to raise

Individual Spiritual Direction ~ The spiritual life brings

(Art/Craft) Making Room for Hospitality and

Generosity in Christ ~ The virtues of generosity and

Love and Logic Coaching Sessions ~ (30 minute

times when God seems near and times when God seems
distant. Spiritual direction offers the skills of a trained
listener to walk with the seeker through these ups and
downs. Lead by prayer and the guidance of the Holy Spirit,
help discover where the rhythms of God are in life.
Sign up for 25 minute sessions from 12:00 - 1:00 and 2:303:30 by phone or email to Lynda Gilpin on a first-come basis.
Everything is held in confidence.
Mary Matestic MTS, St. Francis Seminary

hospitality have become endangered in our culture of

busyness today. Through discussion and the art form known
as Mandala learn how to develop the free and generous
space in your heart necessary for hospitality along with the
Christ like attitude of being FOR others that allows us then to
be at home with ourselves, others and the Divine Guest. In
turn we can live truly generous lives. Art supplies provided.
Sister Karlyn Cauley, Artist,
Gallery of the Sisters of the Divine Savior

children who are respectful, responsible and fun to be

around. Are you interested in how to put the fun back into
parenting? How to be a cool parent in hot situations? Or
maybe what Scripture says about parenting? You will be
encouraged, inspired and affirmed in your ideas of
parenting. Applicable to all ages, 8 months to 80 years. Even
works on husbands and co-workers!
Pam Olsen
sessions from 11:30-1:00) One on one time with Pam to
discuss approaches to parenting including but not limited to
how to implement information from the Internet Safety
presentation from Wednesday evening.
Pam Olsen

Chair Massage ~ Take full advantage of this day of

spiritual, mental and physical renewal with a chair massage.
Sign up for one of our 7 time slots by phone or email to
Lynda Gilpin on a first-come basis. Each session is 15 minutes
running between 11:151:00.
Mary Beth Rezek

Firstfruits Registration
for Sept 16-17, 2015
_____ Soup Dinner Wed. 5:30-6:30

Sept 16, Wednesday Evening 6:30-8:30

5:30 - 6:30 Check-In Open
6:30 - 7:00 Keynote speaker in Church
7:008:30 Choose one:
_____ Finding Balance in our Lives with Jesuss
Peace
_____ Internet Safety
______ Living Through Lifes Losses
______ The Spirituality of the Parables of Jesus

Sept 17, Thursday Morning 9:15-11:15

8:459:15 Check-In/Childcare Open
9:159:45 Keynote speaker in Church
9:4511:15 Choose one:
_____ Finding Balance in Our Lives with Jesuss
Peace
_____ Journaling with the Labyrinth
_____ Love and Logic
_____ The Stages of a Womans Life
_____ Lunch & Free Time 11:15-1:00

Free Time Opportunities

Space is limited to specific time slots. To signup for any of these
sessions, call or email Lynda Gilpin at 262-993-0096 or
LyndaGilpin@Firstfruits.info on a first-come basis.

Individual Spiritual Direction with Mary Matestic

(25 min. sessions between 12:00-1:00&2:30-3:30)

Love & Logic Coaching Sessions with Pam Olsen
(30 min. sessions between 11:30-1:00)
Chair Massage (15 min. between 11:15-1:00)

Sept 17, Thursday Afternoon 1:00-2:30

Choose one:
_____ Body Wisdom: Compassionate Self-Care
_____ Domestic Violence: How Can You Help
_____ (Art/Craft) Making Room for Hospitality and
Generosity in Christ
_____ Prayer: Food for the Journey