Finding God in Our Addictions, Attachments, and Afflictions
February 29, 2020

What: Our second iEncounter, which is a day set aside to hear God’s voice, reflect in prayer, and grow in virtue.  It is a common human experience to find ourselves entangled in addictions, unhealthy attachments, and any variety of afflictions. If we examine these carefully, we may encounter Jesus and be drawn closer to Him in the healing process through the power of the Holy Spirit. This day of reflection will guide the traveler through a process of spiritual and psychological growth into a deeper life of grace.

Who:  All are welcome!  Bring your non-Catholic friends!
When:  Saturday, February 29, 2020, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
Where:  Parish Hall and Church
Cost:  Free!  However, a free-will “love offering” will be taken up, to help cover costs.
Lunch:  Bring your own lunch, or order a box lunch online: click here to order directly from Jason's Deli ($5.66-$10.52 per meal).  NOTE:  this option to order online ends at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, February 28th.

Register:  Please RSVP online here.

Presenter:  Dr. Kenneth E. Buckle, Psy.D., Psychologist and the Founder & Executive Director of Gratia Plena Counseling.

Although Dr. Ken is a native Houstonian and obtained his undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of St. Thomas, he had also completed his graduate studies in the Chicago area.

Dr. Ken obtained his Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Wheaton College, where he studied and learned about the integration of Christian faith with psychotherapy. There he trained under Dr. David Benner, noted author, therapist, and spiritual guide. Ken’s doctoral degree was also in Clinical Psychology. While pursuing his doctoral degree, he received the "Aaron T. Beck Psychotherapy Award" based on his dissertation work. While at the University of St. Thomas, he was a member of Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology, and he was recognized as UST’s “Outstanding Psychology Student” in 1983.

Dr. Ken’s psychotherapy career (which dates back to 1985) has had a special emphasis on identifying and treating compulsive behaviors in adults: especially overeating, alcohol/drug abuse, and sex addiction. He has work experience in both inpatient and outpatient settings as well as private practice. Also working with adults suffering from Major Depression, Bipolar Disorder, and Schizophrenia. He also has experience working with college age young adults.

For over 10 years, Dr. Ken consulted with large behavioral health organizations across the United States to help them improve the quality of their Assessments, Treatment Plans, and Progress Notes through the use of the latest electronic documentation technology. Dr. Ken taught Psychology part-time at the University of St. Thomas in Houston for 10 years, the first graduating UST Psychology student to return to teach in the UST Psychology Department.

In October of 2011, Dr. Ken founded "Gratia Plena" in Houston, which is dedicated to providing professional counseling with integrating the teachings, values, and traditions of the Catholic faith in the therapeutic process. He officially opened for business in February 2012.

Now a grandfather, Dr. Ken has been married for 30 years. He and his wife have four adult children, and are members of St. Justin Martyr parish. Over the years Ken has participated in Youth Ministry and Music Ministry in a number of different Catholic communities in Houston, Chicago, and Phoenix. While living in Phoenix, Dr. Ken volunteered at Maggie’s Place (a community of houses of hospitality for pregnant women who are alone or living on the streets), and at Paz de Cristo (a nonprofit which runs a meal service for the homeless and working poor).

Session 1: Introduction to Encounter and Affliction

This session outlines our human condition and encountering God in the process of suffering and healing. “Look upon me, have pity on me, for I am alone and afflicted. Relieve the troubles of my heart; bring me out of my distress. Look upon my affliction and suffering; take away all my sins." -- from Psalm 25:16-18

Session 2: Encounter in Noticing, Searching, and Reconciling

This session explores the initial phases of awareness of ourselves and the movement of the Holy Spirit stirring us into healing action. "Urged to reflect upon myself, I entered under Your guidance the innermost places of my being; but only because You had become my helper was I able to do so." -- from St. Augustine's Confessions

Session 3: Encounter in Surrender, Examining, and Healing

In this section, the middle phases of the transformational process are outlined. "...trusting that You will make all things right if I surrender to Your will..." -- from Reinhold Neibuhr's "Serenity Prayer"

Session 4: Encounter in Integrating, Loving, and Living

Finally, this portion covers the end phases of the healing process, in which humility propels the person into greater involvement in building the Kingdom of God. "I will go anywhere and do anything in order to communicate the love of Jesus to those who do not know Him or have forgotten Him."  -- St. Frances Xavier (Mother) Cabrini

Schedule

NOTE: The schedule has been slightly modified as of 2-26-2020. Lunch has been shortened to 1 hour and 15 minutes, and a 15-minute break has been inserted at 2:45 pm, before Adoration.

8:00 am                Gathering
8:45 am                Announcements and Opening Prayer (15 minutes)
9:00 am                Session One (one hour)
10:00 am              Morning Break/Meditation (15 minutes)
10:15 am              Session Two (one hour)
11:15 am              Lunch Break/Meditation (1 hour & 15 minutes)
12:30 pm              Session Three (one hour)
1:30 pm                Afternoon Break/Meditation (15 minutes)
1:45 pm                Session Four (one hour)
2:45 pm                Afternoon Break/Meditation (15 minutes)
3:00 pm                Adoration & Confession (one hour)
3:50 pm                Benediction
4:00 pm                Clean up
4:30 pm                Vigil Mass