“Be at Peace”
Brother Mickey McGrath, OSFS
Artist, Author, Storyteller and Retreat Director
There are few better ways to discover inner peace and hold onto peace than through BEAUTY. Saint Francis de Sales said we pray best in the presence of beauty because beauty- seeing it, hearing it, or creating it- places us directly in the presence of God. In his keynote address, Brother Mickey will share images of beauty that show the endless variety of ways in which God is present to us through beauty- whether it be the French Alps, your favorite piece of music, your grandchild’s hug, or the homeless stranger on the street. Our common love of beauty connects ALL people heart to heart in the heart of Christ.
“Crooked Paths to Peace”
Sister Susan Louise Eder, OSFS
Saint Francis de Sales considered peace of heart to be of the highest value. It is woven throughout his writings and demonstrated by his life. His dear friend and spiritual daughter, Saint Jane de Chantal, traveled a crooked path to find this peace of heart. Sister Susan Louise Eder will lead us along this path with Jane and with Saint Leonie Aviat, foundress of the Oblate Sisters of St. Francis de Sales. These two remarkable women will model for us a life of peace and joy in the midst of interior and exterior struggles. Let us allow them to guide us to peace of heart.
Sister Louise Eder, OSFS, is the Principal of Immaculate Heart of Mary School in Towson, MD.
“Finding Peace Amidst Everyday Busyness”
Dr. Tom Opfer
We live busy lives and constantly attempt to balance multiple tasks. We need to live St. Francis de Sales teachings each and every day by serving as examples for others and through our constant interactions and connections with one another, bringing Christ’s peace to the world. In this talk, Tom will help remind us of the Salesian virtues of gentleness, gratefulness, and giving and how we find peace in a busy world by living these virtues.
Dr. Opfer ‘96 is the Principal of St. Paul VI Catholic High School in Chantilly, VA.
