Heal: A 3-day UC Community Healing Experience

Many of our wounds were created in relationships —relationships to each other, to religious structures, to culture, and in community.

​

We were wounded in relationship and we can heal in relationships.

​

That’s why we’re coming together.

​

​

This is an opportunity for  . . . ​

• Individuals who grew up, lived in, or are a part of the UC community.
• Focusing on healing and restoring the wounds experienced within our community, while acknowledging both the value and challenges of our experiences.
• Engaging with others who share similar experiences and understand the impact of these wounds that we carry in our bodies and in our relationships.
• Being in a beautiful retreat location in nature with an atmosphere that fosters deep connections and healing experiences.

About The Program

• Focused Healing: Tailored for individuals connected to the UC community, this program centers on acknowledging, addressing, and healing the wounds experienced within our shared community.
• Comprehensive Approach: The program takes a comprehensive approach to healing, offering insights into signs and symptoms of trauma, the impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), and awareness of systemic and intergenerational trauma. Symptoms of trauma are seen as adaptive rather than pathological, and how feeling ashamed of them inhibits our ability to heal.
• Safe Space: Provides a safe, inclusive, and nurturing environment, fostering trust and vulnerability essential for deep healing and personal development.
• Inclusive Environment: It welcomes a diverse range of perspectives and experiences within the UC community, providing a space where individuals' unique stories and journeys are respected and valued.
• Body-Mind Connection: Recognizing that wounds are stored in the body, the program offers a holistic healing approach that addresses both physical and emotional aspects, focusing on the body-mind connection.
• Getting Unstuck: Explore strategies to identify where you hold wounding or trauma and how to digest and integrate your experiences, so they no longer hold you back.
• Facilitated Process: Led by experienced facilitators well-versed in community healing practices, the program provides a safe and structured environment for participants to explore and heal, while gaining the unique wisdom and resilience of healed trauma.
• Healing Resources: Offers tools, techniques, and resources aimed at supporting you to continue your ongoing healing journey post-program.

​

Why Should I Go?

• The memory of our wounds are carried in our body and impact our relationships.
• Because our wounds are stored in our bodies, they do not disappear through “moving on” or “talking about it”.
• Your body can digest, restore, and heal from collective wounding.
• The benefit of doing the work of healing is the deep wisdom and freedom we gain for our lives.
• It’s a chance to talk with people who get you.
• Because you’re ready for the healing process.

Program Schedule

DAY ONE

5:00 PM - Arrival & Registration

6:15 PM - Dinner

8:00 PM - Orientation, Welcome, Housekeeping

DAY TWO

7:00 AM - Qigong & Stretching (optional)

8:15 AM - Breakfast

Morning Session -  Welcome and Introductions

• Why we created this retreat
• What does it mean to be trauma informed
• Pair Share 10:45 AM 

11:05  Break

Mid Morning Session -  Understanding Trauma and the Wounds We Carry

• Type 1 Trauma & Type 2 Trauma
• Developmental Trauma
• Q & A
• Journall– How does this inform my experiences of growing up in or participating in the UC

12:15 PM - Lunch

Afternoon Session - Polyval Theory, Relational Attunement, and Skill Building

• Polyvagal Theory and the Brain – the Four Fs
• Q & A
• Relational Attunement – why it matters.
• Skillset to support healing from wounding and trauma: Interoception and Mentalization.
• Interoception: Introducing the 3 Sync Practice

3:00 PM - 3:20  Break

3:20 PM - Movement Practice (optional)

Evening Session - Meditation & Relational Attunement Practice

• 3 Sync Meditation
• Introducing the Practice of Transparent Communication
• Triads
• Q&A, Group Witnessing and Group Process.
• Reflection & Journaling

6:15 PM - Dinner

7:15 PM - Tai Chi – Yin Yoga – Relaxation (optional)

DAY THREE

7:00 AM - Qigong & Stretching (optional)

8:15 AM - Breakfast

Morning Session -  Understanding the Social/Emotional Environment of Your Family and/or Community Growing Up

• Meditation
• Pair Share:what are you learning so far? What questions do you have?
• Why Environment Matters
• Authenticity vs Attachment
• Triad:  What was the social/emotional environment in your family or community growing up? Did you experience the opportunity to be authentic?

10:45 AM - Break

Mid Morning Session -  The Power of Collective Healing

• Meditation
• Collective witnessing to support an individual – group process
• Pair Share

12:15 PM - Lunch

Afternoon Session - Understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

• Review of relational attunement – what does it mean and why it matters.
• Understanding ACEs
• Review Personal ACEs score
• Reflection in triads

3:00 PM - Break

3:20 PM - Movement Practice (optional)

Evening Session - Generational Trauma

• Generational Trauma Video and Q & A
• Meditation and group process
• Reflection – Journaling

6:15 PM - Dinner

7:15 PM - Tai Chi – Yin Yoga – Relaxation  (optional)

DAY FOUR

7:00 AM - Qigong & Stretching (optional)

8:15 AM - Breakfast

Morning Session -  Vicarious Trauma & Organizational Trauma

• Vicarious trauma and Organizational trauma
• Take an Organizational Survey
• Triad – Reflection on My Experience
• Sharing and Q & A

10:45 AM - Break

Mid Morning Session -  Meditation & Digestion

• Meditation
• Pair Share – What’s coming up for you
• Group discussion

12:15 PM - Lunch (move out of rooms)

Afternoon Session - Reflection & Opportunities to Stay Connected

• 3 Sync
• Silent Reflection and Journaling
• Invitation to join a UC Digestion Hub
• Feedback forms
• Appreciation

2:30 PM - Closing

Location: St. Mary's Abbey 230 Mendham Road, Morristown NJ 07960-5089

Price: 

Early Bird: $575 (closes April 5th)  

Regular: $700 

Please note participants are also invited to join the Benedictine Monk Prayer schedule if you so wish.

Thursday - Vespers/ Mass 5:00 pm

Friday- Matins 7:30 am and Vespers/Mass 5:00

Saturday-Matins and Mass 7:30 am/ Vespers only 5:00

Sunday- Matins 7:30/ Sunday Mass 11:00