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Itinerary
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Details for the Catalyst Trip
Special Accommodations: Let us know right away if you have any special needs, physical, dietary, communication, or otherwise. Please consider things you may need to bring to create your own comfort: snacks, a special pillow, medications, etc. There is really no opportunity to shop, so try to anticipate your needs. We want you to be as comfortable as you can be.
We cover a lot of material and territory so you should be prepared for long days, usually 12 hours, which are often emotionally intense. However, we have had women in their 70s and women with disabilities who have fully engaged with the experience. We both create safety and community while supporting risk-taking and moving outside our comfort zones.
Meals: All meals are paid for except for the meal as we return to South Bend. I have alerted everyone preparing meals for us that we have people with pork restrictions and some vegetarians. Let us know asap if there are other restrictions. We will have some snacks, but you may want to bring some of your own. The food is delicious, organic, wholesome and at Grailville (many of us think it is wonderful!), but the selection is limited. If you are diabetic, hypoglycemic or have other special conditions, please alert us, but also plan to carry the appropriate food to keep your condition stabilized.
Lodging: We are staying at Grailville retreat center. At Grailville, you will be sharing a room with at least one other person, and the bathroom and shower facilities are also shared. You will need your own towel(s), but no linens. We will need to be flexible and gracious with each other as we will be not only traveling companions, but rooming companions as well.
Grailville is totally smoke-free. There is a wonderful bookstore on the property with limited hours. The grounds are beautiful and there are walking paths and a labyrinth.
Packing: Please limit yourself to one suitcase and one carry-on. You can do this, really. Plan on dressing casually and comfortably, especially comfortable shoes – we have no special dinners or meetings planned. We are either sitting or moving. There are no laundry facilities so pack enough for 5 days.
On Saturday, you will receive a t-shirt, paper, pen, folder and a steno pad, as well as a manual for the trip. You may want to bring your own journal for writing. You might want to bring a camera, insect repellant, an umbrella or rain jacket, a warm coat or sweater, a hat and gloves. Try might want to share a hair dryer, etc. with someone else to save space.
Weather: Who knows; it is fall. It could be glorious and warm, or cold and raining. Likely it will be warm as we head south. Bring a warm jacket or sweater, some rain gear, and maybe a hat and gloves, just in case.
Prayer and Religious Expressions: On this trip, we will be exploring our spiritual centers and inner sources of strength. We are coming together as women of many faiths and spiritual expressions, and perhaps no faith expression. We want to be sensitive to each woman’s choice of expressing her faith traditions, her spirit expressions, or her choice not to have a faith basis. Please come ready to share yours, as well as ready to accept others that are different from yours. Please make us aware of any concerns or special accommodations we can make for you.
If you need to attend mass before leaving on Sunday, please check for schedules Saturday and early Sunday.
Favorite music and poem: It would be wonderful if you would like to bring your favorite music (there is a CD player on the bus), as well as instruments, since we’ll have at least one music-making night. Also think about bringing your favorite poem or quote.
Parking: If you need to leave your car on campus that week, park in the Regina lot. We will give you a sign that identifies you as a trip member so that Security won’t ticket your car. We will be returning in the evening on Friday, October 20th, so you might want to leave your car here at Saint Mary’s to make getting home easier.
The Bus: We are traveling in a very comfortable 47 passenger bus with a bathroom, so there’s room to spread out. There is a video and CD player. If you want to seclude yourself somewhat, you may want to bring a tape/CD player and headphones, or ear plugs.
On Sunday, October 15th, the bus leaves at 10 a.m. This is important so that we can make it to Grailville in time for dinner.
Phone Access: Bring your cell phones if you like (and chargers), but be mindful about turning them off during the workshops and visits. Phone facilities and messaging options are limited at the retreat center, so you may want to negotiate using someone else’s cell phone if you don’t have one. Grailville only has staff during office hours to handle messages.
Emergency and Contact Information: Please make sure you complete your emergency and contact information form and turn it into us. And for your loved ones, please share these important numbers:
Contact for the Catalyst group |
CWIL contact @ Saint Mary’s
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Grailville contact |
Bonnie Bazata Associate Dir. CWIL Cell: 574-210-5441 |
Christopher Ross (574) 284-4061 or Linda Biggins (574) 284-4051
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932 O’Bannonville Rd. Loveland, Ohio 45140 Ph: 513-683-2340 Fax: 513-683-4752 |
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We know this will be an extraordinary journey together – each of us bringing and being our best, each of us touching and inspiring one another. Let us know how we can make sure that this trip is all that it can be for you.
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