On June 29, the Holy Mountain Franciscan Retreat Center (HMFRC) welcomed motivational speaker, radio host, and podcast director Kacey Morabito Grean and crystal harpist Rosemary Boyle Lasher to our Finding Your Light event. Nearly 40 women enjoyed the opportunity to rediscover their inner selves through art, song, and Scripture.
Grean opened the event much like an episode of her podcast, “Shine-On: The Health & Happiness Podcast” — sharing personal insights on how she found her inner self within Scripture.
“Jesus makes it clear that we are all very different, and God loves each one,” Grean said. “His teachings remind us we have something valuable to contribute. There is an immeasurable joy in talking plainly about the most important things in the world – our blessings and our faith.”
Afterward, Joy Pellegrino, HMFC Spiritual Director and Art Therapist, led participants in a mandala art experience. With its Sanskrit origins, the word Mandala translates to “center” or “circle.” Mandala art “is a type of art that invites you to center yourself,” explained Pellegrino. Composed of geometric symbols and patterns, the art form is most often associated with Eastern religions like Buddhism, and it is used in art therapy.
Participants at the event used their thoughts and emotions to choose the shapes and colors for their artwork. “What you create today records your current emotional state, in this process, we are called to be co-creators with God,” Pellegrino said.
This activity was beautifully paired with music by Lasher. Rather than read from sheet music, Lasher allowed her inner reflections to guide the music she played.
The entire event was memorable for attendees and invited guests. For Grean, watching participants share their passions with people around them was most enjoyable. “The room bubbled over with a beautiful energy as everyone shared their light,” she recalled.
We are so grateful to have welcomed Grean and Lasher to our Finding Your Light event! They served as excellent sources of inspiration for those in attendance.
