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Water in the Wilderness
2016 International Convention
July 8-10, 2016

The 2016 Beginning Experience International Convention will take place in Bismark, North Dakota on July 8-10, 2016, at the Bismark Ramada Inn.

Reservations can be made on-line at: http://www.beginningexperience.org

Interested in Beginning Experience for Teens & Young Adults?

This Spring and Summer:  
A Young People's Beginning Experience Program

March 4-6, 2016 - Winnipeg, CANADA
April 8-10, 2016 - Central Minnesota
April 22-24, 2016 - Southwest Minnesota
May 27-29, 2016 - Rosaryville, Louisiana
June 2016 - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
July 5-7, 2016 - Bismarck, North Dakota

The loss of a parent through death, or a changed parental relationship through divorce or separation is a traumatic experience for children, or for those in their teens or twenties. In dealing with these losses, they may become withdrawn, fearful, insecure, act out for no apparent reason, become confused or depressed, and often blame themselves.

Beginning Experience® programs for these age groups provide a place where help and support are offered to work through these emotions. A safe, secure environment allows caring acceptance and feelings of community to blossom. The aim of each program is to help sort out the feelings of loss and pain while strengthening self esteem and self acceptance.

Each program is presented by a team of children, youth or young adults and adults who have experienced this loss themselves and are willing to share their experience to help others. While older participants are able to write and talk about their feelings, younger participants often express feelings through actions or art. The programs are designed for differing age groups; in addition, participants are grouped by age to allow them to express their feelings based on maturity level.

For further information, please visit the Beginning Experience International Ministry Website at http://www.beginningexperience.org.

For the Youth program held at at Rosaryville in Pontchatoula, Louisiana: The program, while geared for those aged 14-17, will accept almost any age - especially if there is someone who is a sibling to someone in the 14-17 age range.  Please call Rosaryville at 225-294-5039 concerning participants outside this age range.  Registration will be taken directly by the Rosaryville Spirit Life Center in Pontchaoula, Louisiana.  The retreat center's website is: www.rosaryvillela.com.  The link for registration is: http://www.catholicretreatcenter.org/coming-soon.html. 

Co-Founder of Beginning Experience International Ministry, Inc. passes away at age 82 in Ft. Worth, Texas

Sr. Josephine Stewart died May 8, 2014 at 3:30 p.m. after a long illness. May her soul rest in peace.

Let us pray for Sr. Josephine and her family. She has a sister and two surviving brothers and, of course, her congregation, the Sisters of St. Mary of Namur.  She was a member of Our Lady of Victory Center, at 909 West Shaw Street, in Fort Worth, Texas 76110.

Let us also pray for the Beginning Experience ministry, which Sister Josephine co-founded with Ms. Jo Lamia in 1974. This ministry is alive and well today throughout the world thanks to the vision and guidance of Sr. Josephine.

Donations
Donations in memory of Sr. Josephine can be made to her congregation, the Sisters of St. Mary of Namur at Our Lady of Victory Center, 909 West Shaw Street, Fort Worth, Texas 76110 and to Beginning Experience International Ministry, Inc. at 136 Dowd Avenue, Canton, CT 06019.
  
Thoughts and Memories
Feel free to share your thoughts and memories in the guestbook set up for Sr. Josephine on our website
www.beginningexperience.org.
 

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