A GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The Journey Into Self-discovery Programs are scripture-themed and are designed as an opening for anyone seeking to discover a deeper meaning and perspective in their life. These are gathering places for people who are interested in renewal, exploration and refreshment of body, mind and spirit. Sometimes the extra-ordinary experience such as dreams and their interpretation, propreceptive writing, expressing experience through art and other like activities can furnish us with new insight and approaches to move forward on a new path.
Psychotherapy and emotional bodywork together with carefully chosen scripture themes can bring about powerful dynamics of grace to help us shape new roads to travel. God generously supplies us many alternatives in our lives, to assist us. Everywhere we look there are new discoveries to be made.
You will have a five day residential opportunity to encourage spirituality and a cooperative, community-learning experience. It is essential that participants enter in a spirit of openness and candour so that they can share and, as much as possible, reveal their deep inner self and personal life experience with the group. We suggest that you consider this a closed retreat. There are no lectures during this retreat. This is an experiential and an interactive process with a gentle invitation to share and explore feelings, dreams. Each day we use guided meditations on Hope, Confidence, Self-awareness and Self-esteem to establish these firmly in our bodies, hearts and spirit. Simple daily exercises are offered accompanied with music and movement. Each participant is offered a one hour massage or a private psychotherapy session as part of the program. We celebrate liturgy daily.
Absolute confidentiality is expected among participants.
Daily Program
EXERCISES* 7:30~8:15
- every morning before breakfast ~ very simple warm-up exercises and stretches, directed morning meditation and prayer
- breakfast
- the psychotherapy group process, sharing our life experience ~ our challenges ~ the reason why we came to this workshop ~ telling of our dreams ~ psychodrama
- frequent breaks ~ coffee ~ snacks
- lunch
- early afternoon relaxation ~ free time
- individual bodywork ~ massage and therapy sessions
- late afternoon group visualization
- guided suggestions on hope
- confidence
- self-awareness and self-esteem
- discernment
- dinner
- free time
- psychotherapy and group process
- movies ~ fun activities ~ relaxation
* NOTE ~ There are no lectures or speakers. We work from our own process and material. Times listed are approximate and may vary according to group. Where possible a community liturgy is celebrated by the participants.
If you have any special health or dietary needs, please inform us at the time of registration.
The program begins Sunday evening at 8 PM. Please check in after 6 PM at the Retreat Centre. Have Dinner before you arrive… Please note: There is NO DINNER provided on Sunday evening. There are many great restaurants in the area from which to choose.
In order to plan your travel arrangements the retreat will end on Friday at 1 PM. We ask that you be available to participate to closure.
There are buses from Pearson International Airport to Ancaster - Hamilton
Niagara on The Lake
This event is offered for the summer retreat only.
George Bernard Shaw Theater Festival. One afternoon and evening during the workshop we take a break and visit Niagara on the Lake. We have dinner at an excellent restaurant and attend a play or musical of our individual choice. Many Shaw plays are offered as well as plays and musicals by the contemporaries of G.B. Shaw. The cost for the afternoon and evening usually runs about $100 Canadian dollars. This is not included in the workshop fee.
Testimonials
“I was out of touch with myself despite what others would call and do call, wonderful achievements for the parish and the wider church. In a very gentle, professional and safe way I have come to see (through this retreat) how much my behavior has been addictive and defensive and terribly out of touch with the call of Christ. Jesus invites our hidden self to awaken and to grow strong.” : A priest & bioethicist.
“Thank you for this retreat/workshop On The Road To Emmaus. I now have the courage to continue in my vocation as a priests. You gave me hope again.”