Afternoon: Check-in 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Tour of the grounds at 5:00 pm which will introduce you to our beautiful desert oasis. We have a pool, whirlpool, labyrinth, Healing Garden, desert ramadas with paths and 2 quiet chapels plus a church, Our Lady of the Angels. The Renewal Center is located on 25 acres of desert gardens, citrus trees, and a lovely rose garden. 5:30 pm: Get Acquainted Social by the pool.

Dinner: 6:00 pm: you will enjoy a delicious home-cooked dinner in our dining room with a hot entree, a fresh salad bar, freshly prepared dessert and beverages.

Evening: 7:00 pm: a brief gathering to learn about the Renewal Center and meet our hostess for the week. There will be time for questions and answers, and some social exchange.

Lodging: Franciscan Renewal Center

Meals Included: Dinner

Introduction to Ettore "Ted" DeGrazia, Arizona artist. Learn about new research methods in the Holy Land. Relax with an afternoon T'ai Chi class...

Breakfast: Mass is celebrated daily in Our Lady of the Angels Church at 7:00 am (optional). A cooked breakfast is served in our dining room at 7:30 am. Before 7:00 am, coffee and tea are available in the "Coffee and More" room. There is also a hospitality room open every day with fresh fruit, coffee, tea & water, juice and the morning paper. Tables are set up for games or cards.

Morning: 9:00 am: Ettore "Ted" DeGrazia, Famed Arizona artist left a giant legacy for the people of Arizona and the world. A presentation on DeGrazia's life and works will be given by Shannon Rossomondo, Education Coordinator DeGrazia Foundation. Ettore "Ted" DeGrazia was born in 1909 in the Morenci mining camp of Territorial Arizona. His early childhood experiences in the ethnically diverse community evolved into a lifelong appreciation of native cultures in the Sonoran Desert and a passion to create art delicting their lives and lore. The presentation will include original art and films.

Lunch: 11:30 am: Lunch is buffet style with a fresh salad bar, entree, dessert, beverages and coffee.

Afternoon: 2:00 pm: Ten New Important Archaeological Discoveries from the Holy Land with Brian Schmidt, PhD. For more than a century and a half, the Holy Land has been the object of unprecedented archaeological research. Recent advances in research methods as well as many new discoveries have transformed our understanding of early Israel, ancient Judaism, the origins of Christianity and the formation of our Bibles. With each new season of archaeological excavation, the image of life in the Holy Land comes into sharper focus. We will survey ten important archaeological discoveries from the Holy Land that can tell us much about the sacred texts and religious beliefs of the peoples mentioned in the Bible as well as what daily life was like in those ancient times. 4:00 pm: Our favorite T'ai Chi instructor, Don Fiore, will lead the afternoon exercise session. T'ai Chi is gentle movement and people who are more comfortable using a chair can still enjoy the multiple benefits of this ancient practice. 5:00 pm: Social Time. Enjoy a cool beverage and some southwest treats while enjoying the early evening desert.

Dinner: 5:30 - 6:30 pm: Chef Elias and his staff will serve a delicious meal prepared especially for you. The food & refreshments are served buffet style. Tables are reserved for the Road Scholar guests.

Evening: 7:00 pm: Brian Schmidt shares more fascinating information about recent archaeological discoveries in the Holy Land.

Lodging: Franciscan Renewal Center

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Enjoy an early morning desert walk in the quiet and peace of the Franciscan Renewal Center. View some of DeGrazia's artwork.

Breakfast: 7:00 am Coffee and morning paper 7:30 am breakfast in the dining room.

Morning: 9:00 am: Ted DeGrazia's story continues. We'll learn about his time spent in Mexico City working with the famous Mexican muralist Diego Rivera and Jose Clemente Orosco. We'll also discuss his protest of the inheritance tax on works of art. In 1976, to protest the tax, DeGrazia hauled about 100 of his paintings on horseback into the mountains near Phoenix and set them ablaze.

Lunch: 11:30 am: Lunch is served buffet style in the dining room. Your choice of salad makings, entree and dessert served along with your favorite beverages.

Afternoon: 2:00 pm: Our exploration of the sacred texts and religious beliefs of the peoples mentioned in the Bible brought to light by recent archaeological discoveries continues. Gentle stretching with our T'ai Chi class.

Dinner: 5:30 pm: Our chef will prepare a meal to satisfy your hunger pangs. Fresh salad, a delicious entree and a sweet that will tempt you to have more than one bite. Coffee, tea and juice.

Evening: 7:00 pm: Our discussion of important archaeological discoveries in the Holy Land continues with Brian Schmidt.

Lodging: Franciscan Renewal Center

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Learn about the historical events and culture of the Southwest through art. Re-energize at our last T'ai Chi class.

Breakfast: 7:00 am Coffee & newpaper 7:30 am Breakfast in the dining room with fresh fruit, cereal, and breakfast items such as eggs, toast, and sweet rolls. Coffee, tea, juice and water.

Morning: 9:00 am: Lance Laber and Shannon Rossomondo continue their discussion of DeGrazia's life and work. The Gallery In the Sun, developed by DeGrazia, opened to the public in 1965. There are six permanent collections of paintings that trace historical events and native cultures of the Southwest. Rotating exhibitions display some of the 15,000 DeGrazia originals housed at the gallery including oils, watercolors, sketches, serigraphs, lithographs, sculptures, ceramics and jewelry.

Lunch: 11:30 am We will enjoy a delicious lunch in the dining room.

Afternoon: 2:00 pm: Brian Schmidt shares more of his experience as an archeologist and research professor at the University of Michigan and his study of archeological discoveries in the Holy Land. 4:00 pm: We continue our T'ai Chi practice.

Dinner: 5:30 pm: A lovely end to our day-- dinner with a delicious dessert.

Evening: 7:00 pm: Free time.

Lodging: Franciscan Renewal Center

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Learn about recent archealogical discoveries in the Holy Land before enjoying a specially prepared farewell dinner.

Breakfast: 7:00 am: Morning coffee and newspaper. 7:30 am: breakfast with fresh fruit, hot entree, choices of cereals, toast and jelly.

Morning: 9:30 am: Picture taking time on the beautiful grounds at the Renewal Center 10:00 am: Brian Schmidt concludes his presentation of recent archeological discoveries in the Holy Land

Lunch: 11:30 am: Lunch in the dining room.

Afternoon: 1:00 p.m. Free afternoon to relax, explore the grounds or the local area.

Dinner: 5:30 pm Our chef has prepared a special farewell dinner with candles, linens and wine for your dining pleasure.

Evening: An evening to relax

Lodging: Franciscan Renewal Center

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: 7:30 am Another delicious breakfast!

Morning: Time to pack and say goodbye to our fellow participants.

Lunch: 11:30 am Our goodbye meal--everyone refreshed and ready to go on to the next Road Scholar experience.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch