What is a retreat?

A retreat is an opportunity step away from our usual daily lives.  It is an invitation to be refreshed in body, mind, and spirit. It is a special time where we seek to find The One who is always seeking us, offering renewal and a refocussed heart.

To learn more about any of these retreats, or retreats in general, or to register, please contact Annette Donovan Panchaud at annette.donovanpanchaud@kings.uwo.ca.   

Courage, Compassion, Climate Change: Early Earth Day Event and The Cedar Circle in Guelph

King's Retreat
April 21, 2024

The increasing instability of the world’s weather systems and the disruptions they cause have made climate change a serious mental health issue. Disoriented and anxious, many of us experience ecological grief, distress and even depression, often on an unconscious level. On the eve of Earth Day, we’ll face the hard facts about climate change, explore how this affects our emotional and mental wellbeing, engage our feelings through artistic expression, share practices that cultivate courage and compassion to keep on living bravely in ways that benefit our communities, and get outside on the healing land of the Ignatius Jesuit Centre.

These hours of reflection, learning and growth will be facilitated by Natalie Thomas, John Lawson and Greg Kennedy. A psychotherapist specializing in climate-aware therapy, Natalie is also an adjunct faculty member in the department of philosophy at the University of Guelph.  John Lawson is a United Church minister and climate activist. Greg Kennedy is a spiritual director shaped by eco-spirituality.

  • Bring your own lunch
  • Snacks and refreshments provided
  • Art and outdoor activities
  • Group sharing

We will also have the opportunity to participate in the Cedar Circle Sunday Afternoon. These are reflective experiences with other like-spirited individuals who desire to slow down, and listen to their own soul with the soul of the land at Ignatius Jesuit Centre.

The gathering will be facilitated to include learning something new about the land and its inhabitants, contemplative practices to help you explore your connection to them, and time for personal reflection on the joy that comes from our inter-dependence with all beings.  Creativity and soulful conversation will be in abundance!

  • Rain or shine…
  • Dress for the weather, we’ll be outside
  • Bring a journal, pen/pencil, water bottle/thermos and a snack to share, if you like.

The King’s community would like to send a contingent to this meaningful event of solidarity with the earth. The cost is $25 but Campus Ministry is able to partially/fully subsidize  students. The bus fee is covered completely by Campus Ministry for all. To register please contact Annette at Annette.donovan@kings.uwo.ca. Space is limited.

 

Listen: Nurturing Purpose and Place

King's Student Retreat
September 29 to October 1, 2023

Journeying together in care, community and centredness - this weekend long retreat takes place at Five Oaks Centre in Paris, Ontario (https://fiveoaks.on.ca/) and includes plenty of time for personal quiet time, group reflection, and a chance to connect with old and new friends alike. Saturday night includes a campfire with smores (weather permitting).

This retreat will be facilitated by Fr. Santo Arrigo, C.Ss.R., a Redemptorist priest. Students depart from King’s the on Friday September 29, 2023 at 5:00 PM and return, Sunday October 1, 2023 at 3 PM.  Cost for the retreat is $60 which includes transportation, food and accommodations. Click here to register. Registration is now closed.

 
 
 
 
 

 

Ecological Day of Reflection: Renew, Regenerate, Reconnect

October 28, 2023
(St. Bridgit Villa, Ignatius Jesuit Centre in Guelph)

With the land, one another, and the Creator through reflection, meditation, and conversation. Discover and create a life connected to earth and others.

Students leave from Kings on Saturday October 28th at 8:30 AM and return by 7:30 PM the same day.

Cost is $20 which includes meals and transportation.   Register before October 24, 2023 to avoid disappointment (space is limited). For more information or questions, contact Annette Donovan Panchaud.  Click here to register. Registration is now closed.

 

 

 

 

 

Canadian Catholic Students Association Central Region Conference 

January 19-21, 2024

Calling all Canadian Catholic university students from Ontario and Quebec! Come together for a fun weekend connecting with one another, growing in faith and love of service. Keynote speaker, Leonard J. DeLorenzo, Ph.D., director of undergraduate studies at the McGrath Institute for Church Life and academic director for Notre Dame Vision. Co-sponsored by the Campus Ministries of King's University College and University of St. Michael's College. Cost for the retreat is $60, which includes food.  For those requiring accommodations, which includes food and accommodations, the cost is $100. To register, click here.

 

 

 

 

Lenten Retreat for Busy People 

March 3-6, 2024

King’s Campus Ministry is offering a directed prayer retreat for students, parishioners, and faculty! This is an ‘at-home’ retreat, made within the busyness of your everyday life, asking for a commitment of one hour a day for four days, promising a deeper relationship with God. For those who wish, spiritual directors (trained lay people and priests) will be available to give individual direction for one hour to participants who pray with Biblical texts for 30 minutes a day. The retreat begins with 5:00 PM Mass on Sunday, March 3 in The Chapel at Windermere on the Mount and ends Wednesday, March 6 with a prayer service in Christ the King Chapel in Wemple Hall at King’s at 5:00 PM. Give yourself the gift of spiritual strength and peace in your busy life. To ensure time with a spiritual director, please register by Friday, February 26. To register, click here or contact Lisa Caeiro