THE ARC OF THE SPIRITUAL LIFE
Instructor: Mr. Bob Fecas
This course will explore the classic stages of the spiritual life found in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, and suggest practices for advancing through these stages. All progress is God's gift, but our efforts are normally required. A fourth stage will be suggested in addition to the standard three.
Session 1: The traditional three stages of the spiritual life will be presented with examples from the lives and writings of the saints in the different religious and wisdom traditions. Mysticism explained and illustrated. Questions entertained throughout the evening. Time for meditation on certain texts. Readings, podcasts, and YouTube sites recommended.
Session 2: The class will not meet this week.
Session 3: Review of first class. Questions. A fourth stage suggested by Christian mystics (John of the Cross, the author of The Cloud of Unknowing, Bernadette Roberts) and certain Buddhist texts. Discussion, time for meditation/prayer, more suggestions for growth through the stages and our spiritual lives. Conclusion.
Mr. Bob Fecas entered the Society of Jesus after high school and worked with the Jesuits for ten years. For three of those years he taught philosophy at Spring Hill College in Mobile, Alabama. He taught at Jesuit High School in New Orleans for nine years. When he and his wife Catherine Toomer had a daughter who could not attend Jesuit (all boys school), he began his 28 years of teaching in the Theology Department at Marist. Twenty five years of that teaching involved the creation and growth of the Prayer and Meditation course, the most fulfilling work of his Marist years. Over 50 retreats with seniors crowned that course. Since retirement in 2016, Bob continues his work at Marist in various ways (Monday Night Series, retreats, days of recollection, and a men's group). He also does spiritual counseling for individuals and groups, as well as enneagram presentations. Check out his website at bobfecas.com for other offerings.
Marist School’s Alumni Engagement program, which is a key part of the Office for Institutional Advancement, focuses on building, maintaining, and strengthening relationships with the school’s 10,000 alumni as well as with the growing body of parents of alumni. Various alumni initiatives, events, awards, and publications are aimed at fostering relationships that bind the school and alumni in a sense of common purpose and advance the school’s mission and goals.