About Retreats

Introduction  |   Retreat Houses and Centres in the Lower Mainland  |   Retreat Houses and Centres throughout B.C.
Introduction

When the child Samuel heard God call his name in the Temple, the old priest Eli recognized that it was the voice of God and directed Samuel to go back to his quiet place and invite God to speak.

 

A retreat is like that. Retreats give us time to pray, time to hear God. In our busy lives, quiet and silence are hard to come by. Jesus, in his busy ministry, took time away in a deserted place to pray and he encouraged his followers to do the same. People may go on a retreat in order to seek for discernment or direction in their lives. They may go for time out, for rest and refreshment, seeking peace; or they may go simply to 'be', to listen to God, listening without expectation.

A parish may go on retreat. It may go with the intention of discerning its mission, its focus. It may go to seek strength for a challenging situation; or it may go to strengthen its spiritual life. Discussion and dialogue may help in any of these scenarios but it is silence that brings the balm and clarity and discernment. So, it is important to find a place that will allow this to happen: one that will help and not hinder the process. If you decide on a retreat or a Quiet day in your own parish church you will have to work extra hard to avoid hindrances.

A parish will probably want to engage a retreat leader who will work with parish leaders to design a process that meets the needs. The process will include some form of worship, individual and group direction and silence. Groups and parishes can opt for a day retreat, often called a Quiet Day, a weekend or a week or more. Whether a retreat is for individuals, groups or parishes, the question of needs and expectations should be clarified. Is the need for a silent contemplative retreat or for one that had modified silence? These needs will shape the design. It is helpful to seek the advice of someone who is familiar with what is available. 
 
There is an informative list of retreat houses in the lower mainland which is attached to the Diocesan web-page.

May God bless your retreat.
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