Peace & Spirituality Center

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Bellevue, WA
Peace & Spirituality Center

More than a space—it’s a ministry of peace. The Center offers programs, meeting spaces, and self-guided day and overnight retreats.

“…we are moved to action by prayer while action urges us to pray.”
— Constitution 28

The Peace & Spirituality Center is a ministry of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace dedicated to offering a place of peace, spirituality, beauty, and hospitality to all who seek rest and renewal. Individuals and groups are invited to enjoy contemplative time here at the Center. Rooted in the Sisters’ charism of

“peace through justice”, we strive to make deep rest accessible and to host programs which cultivate communities of hope and restoration. Email us to schedule a visit! We would love to welcome you to this special place.

08/21/2026

It’s easy to care about what is visible.
What is named.
What is close to us.

But much of what matters most lives just outside our line of sight.

In systems. In silence. In stories we may never hear.

Awareness can feel uncomfortable—but it is also where compassion begins.

Not every problem can be solved at once.
But every moment of attention interrupts indifference.

And that matters more than we think.

08/19/2026

Today we celebrate World Humanitarian Day—a day established by the United Nations in memory of the humanitarian workers who lost their lives in the 2003 bombing of the UN headquarters in Baghdad. Since then, it has become a global opportunity to honor all those who risk their safety to bring hope, relief, and dignity to people affected by conflict, disaster, and crisis.

But perhaps this day is more than just another date on the calendar.

It invites us to pause and ask ourselves: What does it mean to be humanitarian in the ordinary moments of my own life?

Most of us won't find ourselves delivering aid in a war zone or responding to a natural disaster. Yet every day we are given opportunities to ease another person's burden—to listen without judgment, to stand with someone who feels alone, to welcome a stranger, to advocate for justice, or to choose compassion over indifference.

Humanitarian work begins wherever we recognize the dignity of another person and respond with love.

Today, may we give thanks for those who serve on the front lines of humanitarian crises around the world, and may we also remember that each of us has the capacity to bring healing, hope, and peace right where we are.

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." — Margaret Mead

08/17/2026

Episode 51: “Disinformation and Delay: What’s at Stake”
How ordinary people have always changed the rules of the game.

Not a lecture—just a gentle reframe + a doable step.

🤝 Co-sponsored by the Archdiocese of Seattle Care for Creation Ministry.

▶️ https://peaceandspirituality.csjp.org/caringforcreation-series

08/15/2026

Some conversations leave us feeling heard. Others leave us wondering how everything became so divided.

Whether you're navigating political differences, responding to racism, working through conflict at home, or engaging difficult conversations in your community, there is a better way.

Want to Talk? Communication Tools for Divided Times is a nine-week, in-person program that offers practical tools for communicating with compassion, confidence, and authenticity. Drawing on the wisdom of nonviolent communication, civil dialogue, and grassroots organizing, you'll learn how to stay true to your values while building stronger relationships across differences.

📅 Tuesdays, October 6 – December 1
🕙 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon
📍 In Person
👥 Facilitated by Bryan Johns, CSJP Associate, and Nancy Schmitt, CSJP Associate

Open to people of all faith traditions, as well as those who identify as spiritual but not religious.

Learn more and register today!

08/12/2026

🌿 Olive has been wandering around the Peace & Spirituality Center again...

This week, she discovered Sr. Angela's word searches.

At first, Olive thought they were simply a fun way to pass the time. But as she looked a little closer, she discovered that puzzles have a surprising effect on our brains—and maybe even something to teach us about life.

We won't spoil the rest... that's what the carousel is for. 😊

One of the things we love most about Olive is that she reminds us to slow down and look a little closer. Every week she'll notice something around the Center, ask a question many of us have never thought to ask, and invite us to discover the answer alongside her.

This week's discovery is waiting for you.

🌿 Swipe to see what Olive uncovered.

08/10/2026

Episode 50: “Hope vs. Doom: The Psychology of Climate Media”
Unmasking the profit-driven forces harming people and planet.

Not a lecture—just a gentle reframe + a doable step.

🤝 Co-sponsored by the Archdiocese of Seattle Care for Creation Ministry.

▶️ https://peaceandspirituality.csjp.org/caringforcreation-series

08/09/2026

Today marks the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples, a global observance established by the United Nations to honor the cultures, wisdom, and contributions of Indigenous peoples around the world.

It is different from Indigenous Peoples' Day, observed in many parts of the United States each October, which focuses on the history and experiences of Indigenous peoples in our own country.

This day invites us to do something simple, yet profound: to become curious.

Who first called this place home? What stories have shaped the land where we live? What wisdom might we discover if we took the time to listen?

Learning about Indigenous peoples is not only about understanding history. It is about becoming better neighbors, recognizing the dignity of every community, and remembering that peace begins with listening.

May today be an invitation to widen our understanding of home—and to honor the many voices that continue to shape it.

08/06/2026

On August 6 and August 9, we remember the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki—two events that forever changed the course of history and revealed the devastating human cost of war.

It is fair to wonder whether remembering these days year after year can eventually lose its meaning.

Perhaps it does...unless remembrance changes us.

We remember not to remain trapped in the past, but to become more attentive in the present. Every act of remembrance asks something of us: to cherish human dignity, to reject violence wherever it takes root, and to become people who build peace through our words, our choices, and our relationships.

Peace is rarely created by one extraordinary moment. More often, it is cultivated through countless ordinary acts of compassion, understanding, and courage.

May the memory of Hiroshima and Nagasaki remind us not only of what humanity is capable of destroying, but also of what humanity is capable of healing.

08/05/2026

🌿 Introducing the Disarming Our Hearts Circle

What if, once a month, something arrived in your inbox that invited you to slow down, reflect, and reconnect with what matters most?

The Disarming Our Hearts Circle is a new monthly companion for those who wish to intentionally cultivate inner peace and bring it into the world.

On the 5th of each month, members will receive a thoughtfully curated digital companion featuring reflections, prayers, artwork, wisdom from diverse traditions, a contemplative labyrinth reflection, practical peace practices, shared prayer intentions, and more.

More than a newsletter, the Circle is an invitation to journey alongside others who are seeking to become contemplative critics, prophetic risktakers, and radical reconcilers in daily life.

In a world that often feels rushed, noisy, and divided, we hope this monthly companion will offer a space for reflection, encouragement, challenge, and renewal.

We invite you to join us as we continue the journey of disarming our hearts and becoming peace.

🌿 Delivered monthly on the 5th
🌿 Free to join
🌿 Learn, reflect, pray, and grow together

Visit our website to learn more and become part of the Circle.

08/03/2026

Episode 49: “The Information Crisis: Who Tells the Story?”
Why personal choices matter—but systems matter more.

Not a lecture—just a gentle reframe + a doable step.

🤝 Co-sponsored by the Archdiocese of Seattle Care for Creation Ministry.

▶️ https://peaceandspirituality.csjp.org/caringforcreation-series

Address

1663 Killarney Way
Bellevue, WA
98004

Telephone

+14256353603

Website

http://csjp.org/psc

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