October 30, 2015 – Aging and Spirituality

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2015 AT 2 PM

AGING AND SPIRITUALITY

Sister Mary Rose Marrin, CSJ

with

Father Paul Lennon and Sister Agnes Teresa Sheehan, CSJ

SUMMARY: Recent gerontology research has revealed the under-developed potentials in our maturing years (50+). Of these, spirituality (inner growth) has been identified as an undeveloped resource. In fact, maturing years have the possibility of being a time of unparalleled inner growth.

This presentation will deal with this potential and its implications for ethical decision making in our later years.

DATE, TIME: October 30, 2015 at 2 pm

Free | All are welcome.

LOCATION: 95 St. Joseph Street, East Door, Room 101

ELEVATOR AVAILABLE:

PLEASE CALL IF YOU WISH TO USE THE ELEVATOR

416 353 4224

SPEAKERS: Sister Mary Rose Marrin is a Sister of St. Joseph of Toronto with a background in teaching, spiritual formation, congregational leadership and parish ministry. She obtained a BA from the University of Toronto, a Masters of Theological Studies from Jesuit Weston, Cambridge MA (now part of Boston College) and certificates in Spiritual Gerontology and Lifelong Faith Development from the Johnson Institute in St. Louis MO.

From 2007 June, 2012, she was engaged in the initiation and development of Ministry with Maturing Adults at St. Mary`s Parish, Barrie ON. The goal of her present ministry is to raise awareness of the potential for spiritual growth in the second half of life and to support initiatives in this ministry. For this purpose she presents programs on “Spiritual Growth in the Second Half of Life” for parishes and other groups throughout the archdiocese of Toronto.

Father Paul Lennon is a priest of the Archdiocese of Toronto living in the Houses of Providence. Father Paul spent seven years in parish work before beginning his studies at the National Catholic School of Social Service in Washington, DC, where he received an MSW. For seventeen years Father Paul worked for Catholic Charities, four of those as Director. He was then assigned to Serra House in Toronto for men who are considering the priesthood. Father Paul returned to parish work and retired in 2007.

Sister Agnes Teresa (Toni) Sheehan, CSJ, PhD, began her teaching career in 1944 and taught from kindergarten to graduate school until 1989. She was principal, administrator, trustee and mentor, serving on Boards of Directors for O.I.S.E., Toronto Board of Education, Canadian College of Teachers, Prime Mentors of Canada and Delta Kappa Gamma Society International. As professor emerita (University of Toronto), Sr. Sheehan served a term on the Provincial Advisory Council for Education.

Going beyond borders, Sr. Toni used her position on the York-Toronto Lung Association Board and the U of T Faculty Council to collaborate with the Toronto Boards of Education to revise Ontario Safety Laws to include schools and universities under the Act. Now even cleaning staff of science labs are protected under the Act. Two other social issues claimed her support: Herman House for women out of psychiatric care and New Beginnings for separated, divorced and widowed persons. In her 26 years since retirement, Sr. Agnes Teresa has focused on three apostolates: Prime Mentors, Sancta Maria House, and DKG’s World Fellowship program.