Japanese Art of Kintsugi: Embracing Our Imperfections with Grace & Courage Retreat at Prairiewoods (in person)

The Japanese art of Kintsugi takes broken pottery and repairs the cracks with gold. These restored bowls, formerly considered worthless, become treasured items of great worth and beauty. During this overnight retreat at Prairiewoods (120 East Boyson Road in Hiawatha), we will use this art as a symbol of our spiritual life. Our wounds and failures can easily harden into shame and regret. Yet, if we look at our lives through the eyes of grace and compassion, our painful experiences can be transformed into great sources of inspiration, beauty and wisdom. This retreat, facilitated by Jean Pagliaro and Julie Connelly, will include time for creative expression, presentation time, individual reflection and small-group processing. Jean Pagliaro is the director at the Franciscan Spirituality Center (FSC) in La Crosse, Wisconsin. She has been a part of the FSC team since 2017, first as the program and retreat coordinator. She earned her master of divinity from Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago and her bachelor of arts in social work from Carthage College in Kenosha, Wisconsin. She has extensive training in crisis response, community-based organizing and effective communication, as well as significant fundraising and grant-writing experience. Jean serves on the boards of YWCA and Scouts BSA and is also on the Advisory Committee for Great Rivers 2-1-1. She lives in Onalaska, Wisconsin, with her husband, Matt; their children, Logan and Lydia; and their two Labrador retrievers, Gander and Scout. Julie Connelly is the program and retreat coordinator at the FSC. She was born and raised in the La Crosse area and continues to call it home. She enlisted in the Army National Guard her junior year of high school and served six years. Julie graduated from Western Technical College and earned degrees in marketing, retail management and fashion marketing. She then went on to earn her bachelor’s degree in business with a focus on leadership from Capella University. Julie completed the Spiritual Direction Preparation Program at the Franciscan Spirituality Center, where she fell in love with being at the center and participating in programs. Most recently, Julie became a Certified Grief Educator through David Kessler. Julie has one son, Mason, who is pursuing a degree in accounting at UW-La Crosse and is in ROTC. Julie loves spending time with her family, friends, and adorable animals, Buster, Nala and Mazie. She also enjoys participating in activities with her North Presbyterian Church family, being in nature, reading, shopping, traveling and exploring. The cost of this overnight retreat is $225 and includes sessions, art supplies, Friday lodging, and Saturday breakfast and lunch. The commuter fee is $205 and includes sessions, art supplies and Saturday lunch. For more information or to register, contact Prairiewoods at www.Prairiewoods.org or 319-395-6700.