Mass
MASS - Fr. Tim Boyle
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Join us for Mass the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month at 4:00 pm
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January 11, 25, February 8, 22, March 14 (no Mass on 28), April 11, 25, May 9, 23, June 13, 27
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Come join in prayer, hear the Word of God and celebrate the Eucharist.
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Donations are gratefully accepted. Official Income Tax Receipts are available for donations received.
Mindfulness meditation
Saturdays, 9:00 to 10:00 a.m.
September 9, 23; October 14, 28; November 11, 25; December 9, 2023
January 13, 27; February 10, 24; March 9, 23;
April 13, 27; May 11, 25, 2024
Enrich your meditation skills and experience emotional and physical benefits.
Mindfulness meditation is the practice of being focused on the present moment. One sits quietly and observes what's happening in the mind in a nonjudgmental way. It means being present to whatever arises with no reaction, no judgement, just a simple observation. We all tend to let our minds wander. Mindfulness practice is simply to bring the focus back to the present moment. Negative thoughts, positive thoughts, pleasant feelings all arise in our mind. Our job is to observe and let go. As we continue the practice of mindfulness, we gradually become aware of who we really are below the ego created image we have created for ourselves. We begin to see things as they truly are. We begin to gain insight into the nature of reality.
As our practice deepens, we come to observe our thoughts and behaviors objectively. This, in turn, leads to living our lives in richer and more meaningful ways.
The sessions are open to all levels of meditators. Beginners are welcome.
Donations are gratefully accepted. Official Income Tax Receipts are available for donations received.
Facilitator: Bob Campbell
3rd Thursday of each month,
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
September 21; October 19; November 16, 2023
January 18; February 15; March 21; April 18;
May 16, 2024
Each month Pat prepares thoughtful facilitation to guide your time to be, a time to pray, a time to rest. A time to be with your God. Oasis Days begin with a brief time of facilitation that will serve to guide your time of reflection throughout the day. Coming together for a delicious homemade lunch, followed by the afternoon to rest, pray, reflect as you spend your time in spiritual development and renewal. The group gathers at 3:30 where Pat will lead a time of group reflection at the end of the day.
Facilitator: Pat Boehm.
Registration fee: $72.00 (lunch included).
Tuesdays 1:30 to 2:40 p.m.
September 12, 2023 – December 12, 2023; January 9, 2024 - June 11, 2024
Communication with God in the peaceful surroundings of Martha Retreat Centre. Centering Prayer is a method of silent prayer that prepares us to receive the gift of contemplative prayer, prayer in which we experience God’s presence within us, closer than breathing, closer than thinking, closer than consciousness itself. This method of prayer is both a relationship with God and a discipline to foster that relationship.
Donations are gratefully accepted.
Official Income Tax Receipts are available for donations received.
Facilitator: Pat Boehm
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Every Thursday, 7:00 - 9:00 pm
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Many men are quietly struggling with stress, anxiety, sadness, addictions, and other day-to-day challenges of being a man in today’s world. Many are searching for a missing peace in their lives, a clear sense of purpose, and a sense of meaningful connection with other men. Loneliness is rampant among men, and many do not have a place where they can remove their mask of “tough” masculinity and have honest, heartfelt conversations with other men who are also on the path of personal growth as men, fathers, brothers, and human beings.
Metta Men's Circles support men on their path of personal and spiritual growth, by creating a safe container comprised of men who are committed to showing up with presence, integrity, honesty, accountability, and vulnerability for themselves and for their brothers in the group. Men's circles facilitate connection, shared mentorship, honest and compassionate feedback to support mutual growth, and genuine brotherhood and friendship on the path to being the best men we can be for ourselves, our families, and for society.
* Metta is a pali word meaning benevolence, loving-kindness, friendliness, good will, and an active interest in others.
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Facilitator: Peter Kellett
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3rd and 4th Thursday of each month
10:00 – 11:00 a.m
Sept 21, 28; Oct 19, 26; Nov 16, 23
Jan 18, 25; Feb 15, 22; Mar 21, 28; Apr 18, 25; May 16, 23; June 20, 27 2024
Taize humbly introduces a very inclusive Christian worship in order to pray with all denominations. In a multiethnic world, Taize prayer becomes a spiritual force to bind people together for peace. Taize prays for reconciliation between religious denominations, peoples, and nations. Taize liturgy is developed only for prayer. How can we pray together? Struggling to answer this question, Taize's liturgy can help us to pray together. Singing is one of the most essential elements of Taize prayer. The songs, using just a few words, express the basic reality of faith. Since each song is simple, it enables us to continue praying and focusing on Jesus, even after we leave the worship space and resume our daily lives. We emphasize, all are welcome! Come and join us to pray for each other and our world!
Donations are gratefully accepted.
Official Income Tax Receipts are available for donations received.
Facilitators: Deacon Bob and Joan Williston
Monday - Friday 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
Call 403-328-3422 to schedule a time (dependent upon availability)
Quiet personal prayer and meditation provides time to reflect and listen in communion with God.
Donations are gratefully accepted.
Official Income Tax Receipts are available for donations received.
Personal Retreat Days
Stillness is a gift that keeps on giving. As you take time to step away from busyness you nurture your spirit as you explore the value of silence. At Martha Retreat Centre the environment creates opportunity to discover your internal wisdom. The beauty of the outdoors, a meditative journey through the Labyrinth, prayer time in the chapel, rest in the accommodations cultivates time for you and your spiritual growth. Create your own personal retreat day or request some guidance. Choose to rest and reflect to renew your spirit. You are provided a private room and you have access to the Library, the Chapel, the Labyrinth and the beautiful grounds, the dining hall, the Gathering Room (as availability permits). “Where the spirit of the Lord is, there IS peace.”
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$72.00 (one day retreat includes lunch)
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Registration forms are to be completed for personal retreats. Please download a registration form and send it to admin@martharetreatcentre.ca.
Availability and pricing is determined upon receiving the registration form.
The Centre is available for private group bookings.
Download the registration form, fill up and send it back to us to admin@martharetreatcentre.ca.
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Rooms, meals and accommodations are included with private retreats. Availability and pricing is calculated upon receiving the group registration form.
Practiced in many different spiritual traditions, spiritual direction is a way of listening to the movement of God or Spirit in our daily lives. A spiritual companion is someone who creates a safe and compassionate listening space, and who is trained to listen without judgment, often intuiting the right questions to go deeper into the meaning of one's life in the context of Spirit, or a presence greater than ourselves. A number of trained spiritual directors are affiliated with the Centre. Spiritual direction is purposely affordable. For more information email director@martharetreatcentre.ca.
Our journey each day is full of opportunity, possibility and challenge. A meditative walk through the Labyrinth is metaphorically connected to our everyday life. There are twists and turns, yet only one winding path to and from the center. There are no dead ends or wrong turns. The path is a two-way street. Take time to listen and hear from the messages that arise as you are in touch with nature during a mindful journey. Breathe, center yourself and quiet your mind.
There are 3 stages to the walk:
• Releasing on the way in, “letting go” of what is weighing on you today
• Receiving in the center, “pausing to reflect”, what is here for me to receive
• Returning when you follow the path out, “pondering and integrating your experience” to your everyday life.
Call 403-328-3422 to check on availability.
Team Building sessions and Group Bookings are available upon request.
Donations are gratefully accepted. Official Income Tax Receipts are available for donations received.
