Saturday, April 25, 2009 10:15 AM
Listening, Hearing, and Living Series: The Practice of Recreation with Kurt Aschermann
Explore the Benedictine approach to recreation as a vital practice of balance that grounds our spiritual lives, our relationships, and our livelihoods as we seek to foster reconciliation in the world. Kurt Aschermann, President of Charity Partners Foundation, active contemplative, and former senior vice president of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Chicago Cubs minor leaguer guides this interactive session.
To Register
Registration is requested (accepts only) at (202) 537-6217 or companions@cathedral.org. Participant fee: $35 General/$20 Senior, student, Cathedral volunteer, and Companion candidate. Scholarship assistance is available.
About the session
It has been suggested that monastic communities once debated whether Jesus ever laughed. Today, those in the Benedictine tradition who understand the life affirming message of Jesus might find it hard to imagine such a debate.
In Benedictine spirituality recreation—or more clearly understood as re-creation—plays an integral role in helping those who follow Benedict’s way to keep the balance so essential to following and understanding that Way. Much of this balance comes from enjoying what God gives us to enjoy and finding joy even in those things that appear to be burdensome. It also comes from taking time to recreate and finding ways to see God in all things. And clearly it comes from having fun....good old fashioned fun.
In this interactive session that explores The Practice of Recreation, Kurt Aschermann, an Associate of the Benedictine Order of Holy Cross, will help us explore how simple systems for exercise, enjoying art and music, and reading can help us renew, and re-create toward lives of balance and reconciliation.
About our speaker
Kurt Aschermann is an independent consultant who also serves as President of the Charity Partners Foundation. He has also been an active contemplative for over 30 years. Since experiencing Benedictine spirituality at Holy Cross Monastery in upstate New York (where he has been an Associate for 23 years) Kurt blended his active business, family and private life with a serious commitment to a balanced contemplative life. Aschermann believes his life is experienced best in silence, contemplation and prayer and play!
Kurt is Senior Adviser to Club de Niño’s y Niña’s de Mexico, the boys & girls clubs of Mexico. Mr. Aschermann was most recently Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing and Development Officer of Boys & Girls Clubs of America. He has extensive experience in charitable giving and developing relationships with strategic partners, including sports leagues, corporate sponsors, celebrities, athletes, and media.
Mr. Aschermann has been a professional athlete in the Chicago Cubs system, a school teacher, and worked in government/politics. He is a well-known speaker and lecturer on nonprofit/for-profit relations and board development in the US and internationally. He has authored three books, Coaching Kids to Play Baseball and Softball and Coaching Kids to Play Soccer, published by Simon & Schuster and his first book of children’s fiction BJ and the Amazing Doctor Directions was published in 2009. In 2002, Mr. Aschermann was awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honor.
About the series
Join us as we explore how to more intentionally bring balance and reconciliation into our daily lives. Lectures and conversation with Benedictine leaders will deepen our understanding of the core practices of prayer, study, recreation, work, and hospitality. Each session offers time for prayer, reflection and community. All are welcome to attend any of the sessions, with preference given to Community of Reconciliation Companion candidates in the formation process.
Future 2009 Series Dates: May 16, June 6.