Living as Instruments of Peace:
A SoulCollage® Weekend at The Casa
March 7-9, 2025
Franciscan Renewal Center
Scottsdale, Arizona
This beloved sanctuary welcomes us for another soulful adventure!
(Space available for 2 more commuters. Or be first on waitlist for residential space.)
- Whether within or in the world around us, peace can feel elusive. Peace requires intention, attention, dedication, and “work.”
- Many traditions implore us to be emissaries of peace, but also advise that peace must begin within. We cannot cultivate a peaceful world while in conflict with ourselves.
- SoulCollage® is a powerful tool with which we can "tune" ourselves as instruments of peace. We can minister to our own souls and bring our unique gifts into the world with wholeness and grace.
- The Casa, a sanctuary dedicated to Francis of Assisi, is a perfect place to embrace and embody peace. And it's particularly lovely in the springtime.
This special weekend offers an opportunity to explore our relationships to, and emulations of, Peace. Drawing on a diversity of wisdom including Francis of Assisi, the Dalai Lama, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Malala Yousafzai, we will harvest guidance and inspiration. We'll turn to our SoulCollage® cards to tap our own wisdom, consulting with Neters old and new as we map our historical and current journeys to Peace.
You'll enjoy Michele's "Playing with a Full Deck" activities as you deepen your relationship with your Neters. Plus we'll have some sessions led by other Facilitators. You're certain to come away with enthusiasm for your personal practice, and if you're a SoulCollage® Facilitator, for your own workshops. Expect plenty of free time for card making and enjoying the sanctuary spaces of the Center. The sessions begin at 3 pm Friday and conclude by 4 pm on Sunday.
This gathering will include learning, sharing, individual and group activities - imagine the perfect blend of a retreat, workshop, conclave of peers, and meeting of friends.
Come enjoy The Casa's hospitality and serenity in the beautiful desert springtime! The Center has a pool, hot tub, labyrinth, and lovely grounds. The facility is conveniently located within 20 minutes of the airport. It's an urban oasis with lovely mountain views. Private and shared rooms are available, all with private bath. Space for several commuters.
Just a few of the wonderful reasons to extend your stay to enjoy the area:
The Heard Museum
The Musical Instrument Museum
Desert Botanical Garden
We're almost a full group of 25 adventurers, but cancellations always happen.
Complete a registration form to attend as a commuter or join the waitlist!
Complete a registration form to attend as a commuter or join the waitlist!
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Cost - includes supplies, instruction, access to Center facilities, 2 nights lodging and 6 meals:
Single, with private bath - $620 Shared, with private bath - $510 Commuter (4 meals) - $390 Shared room guaranteed only when two register as designated roommates. |
Hoping to join us?
1. Complete the registration form HERE. Choose "commuter" option or note at the bottom that you're joining the waitlist for overnight guests. 2. Waitlisters will be contacted when a space opens up. 3. Balance due by January 1, 2025 (or at the time of registration confirmation for waitlisters). Balances to be paid directly to Michele (details will be provided). REFUND AND PAYMENT POLICY: Refunds available, minus a $75 administrative fee, through January 1, 2025. Balance of fees due January 1, 2025. You will receive an email about how to submit. After January 1, no refunds are guaranteed. Partial refunds may be provided if the space is filled by someone else. |
Activities for the weekend include:
- Instructions and guidance from Michele, including examples from her own deck
- A series of guided explorations of your deck and consultations with your Neters
- Creative writing (short form poetry and prose) forays
- Saturday Night "Open Mic" for sharing our creative writing
- Labyrinth ritual
- Test Runs: two Facilitators will present a 30 minute session related to our theme
- Dedicated time and inspirations for card making, with oodles of images to use
- Your presence is requested at opening and closing sessions - but, everything is optional. It's a retreat!
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SCHEDULE-AT-A-GLANCE (tentative)
Your free time may include creating or working with your cards, visiting the sanctuary grounds and labyrinth, enjoying the pool or hot tub, communing with friends. FRIDAY 3 PM Opening Ritual and Introductions 5:00 Free time 6:00 Dinner 7:00 First session: Peace Be With You 8:30 Free time, open studio SATURDAY MORNING 8 AM Breakfast 9:00 Session: Disturbances of The Peace 11:o0 Facilitator Test Run #1 12 PM Lunch Break |
SATURDAY AFTERNOON/EVENING 1:30 Session: Inner Peace Talks 3:30 Facilitator Test Run #2 4:00 Open Studio and Individual Deck Adventures 6:00 Dinner 7:00 Open Mic (followed by Open Studio) SUNDAY 8 AM Breakfast 9:00 Final session: Peacemongering Within and Without 10:15 Guided Reading 11:30 Open Studio, Free Time 12 PM Lunch 1:00 Bringing it Home Process and Sharing Circle 2:30 Closing Ritual 4:00 Depart (Dinner at 6 for those staying over) |
Since 2009, Michele has been creating and sharing meaningful ways to explore your SoulCollage® deck as a whole - honoring and integrating your ever-evolving aspects. These "Card Games" offer an understanding of the cards’ intricate relationships, and a chance to take inventory of your deck and yourself. Ideas for new cards come forth, as do new perspectives on old ones. A retreat is the perfect setting to learn new approaches, make new cards, and exchange ideas with others who practice or facilitate.
Comments from Michele's retreats:
“Michele is innovative, insightful, and an excellent retreat leader.”
"The planning and execution was top notch!"
"The Casa is a special place. I want to return here soon."
“Saw how important suits are.... game changer!"
"Already thinking about how to incorporate these activities into my own workshops."
"Every activity we did brought brand new awareness."
"I loved the activities that encouraged me to notice the relationships between cards."
"I developed a new appreciation of connecting with my cards ......I love them even more!"
"I can't believe how many cards I made. Plus a list of even more for later!"
"Everything was mapped out and organized so well for us."
“This is really like an advanced Facilitator Training, a graduate course in SoulCollage®.”
Comments from Michele's retreats:
“Michele is innovative, insightful, and an excellent retreat leader.”
"The planning and execution was top notch!"
"The Casa is a special place. I want to return here soon."
“Saw how important suits are.... game changer!"
"Already thinking about how to incorporate these activities into my own workshops."
"Every activity we did brought brand new awareness."
"I loved the activities that encouraged me to notice the relationships between cards."
"I developed a new appreciation of connecting with my cards ......I love them even more!"
"I can't believe how many cards I made. Plus a list of even more for later!"
"Everything was mapped out and organized so well for us."
“This is really like an advanced Facilitator Training, a graduate course in SoulCollage®.”
Dr. Michele Manos has almost 50-years of experience as an instructor for groups ranging from elementary school children (creative drama) to medical residents (as a Professor) to new and seasoned SoulCollagers. She trained as a SoulCollage® Facilitator in 2008, with Seena Frost, and has been taking her workshops and retreats to new and deeper levels since then. She has created and co-created an array of SoulCollage® offerings, including the 2009 Facilitators' Retreat in Kenyon Ranch, Arizona. In response to pandemic isolation, she began SoulCollage® Together Tuesday virtual gatherings for which she produced over 40 uniquely crafted 90-minute workshops. Michele loves sharing her ideas with and learning from other enthusiastic SoulCollagers.
