Upcoming Retreats - Events

To be prayerful is to open oneself to the quiet messages of one’s inner self, to be attentive to Nature, one’s feelings and thoughts. It is to receive the insight and consolation of the wisdom of one’s faith tradition. This prayerfulness may involve reading, listening, drawing, walking the labyrinth and other spiritual exercises suggested by the facilitator.

This day is an introduction to Ignatian spirituality and the services provided by the Centre. It consists of some presentations, time for one or more spiritual exercises, and conversation. It is also an opportunity to meet other people with a similar interest in Ignatian spirituality.

This is a presentation, usually in the way of a talk, by an expert in a particular field. There is opportunity to ask questions and share responses. Some seminars include time for reflection or prayer on the topic given.

This event is directed towards professionals in the area of spiritual direction, supervision or Ignatian spirituality (e.g. teachers) though people with a serious interest in a given topic may also attend. Presenters may be from the Centre or be an outside speaker who is well qualified for the topic. Sometimes certificates of attendance are provided which indicates the topic and time spent.

Nature is the gift of the Creator for us. Nature is the mother of our flesh (all matter in the universe is stardust) and she constitutes a large part of the development of our psyche as we interact with it as children, and as adults. Nature also speaks to our soul or spirit. When we are attentive to Nature she speaks to us with wisdom and comfort. In the 21^st century we are more aware than ever of our responsibility to care for Creation.

Silence is a prerequisite to listening and hearing one’s self and God and the voice of Nature. Some retreats and reflection or prayer days give space for an hour or more of silence during the day. This enables the person to listen to God and to him or herself with much less distraction.
On a silent retreat a person will meet to talk with his or her spiritual director once a day, and participate in the Eucharist (optional), but otherwise refrains from communication with others. This means no talking at meals, a minimal use of a mobile phone, and doing without radio or TV.

During a retreat a participant can be offered spiritual direction one to one. This individual guidance gives the participant help to sense where their deepest desires, or God, is inviting them. In a space of professional confidence the directee or retreatant can share their personal story and learn how God is speaking to them through it.

Themed retreats present a particular aspect of faith for reflection and prayer. They provide more information and direction for the participant through talks and handouts. There is usually opportunity for participants to share from their own experience.

This prayer day or retreat is suitable for a person who is unfamiliar with Ignatian prayer or any Christian prayer exercises. A participant is guided through each part of the prayer exercises.

At times on retreat participants will gather to hear some Scripture and music, may be guided through an imaginative contemplation, and may respond with vocal prayer (either given on a sheet or ad lib). As with silent adoration, this is a time when participants pray together as companions in faith.

In a session of guided prayer the facilitator will lead the participant through a period of prayer reading a text of meditation (often Scriptural). This may engage the participant’s imagination or sense of hearing (with music). There is usually also a short period of silence for the participant to pray in their own way.

‘Magis’ is a Latin word meaning ‘greater’ or ‘more’. In the Ignatian context it means going deeper into one’s experience, whether that is a prayer session or some event during the day. A Magis circle is a reflection done in a group. It is not a discussion group but a space for respectful sharing and listening in silence.

During a retreat (silent or themed) participants may meet to share their (day’s) experience in a group. This is not an opportunity for discussion but for sacred listening. As each person shares whatever they will, in silence the others in the group may receive some encouragement or wisdom that they would not have received from elsewhere.

Silence is a prerequisite to listening and hearing one’s self and God and the voice of Nature. Some retreats and reflection or prayer days give space for an hour or more of silence during the day. This enables the person to listen to God and to him or herself with much less distraction.

During a retreat (silent or themed retreat that includes spiritual direction) the participant has the option of meeting with a spiritual director once a day for an hour. In this session the director helps the one praying to be more aware of the movement of God or his or her own heart during their prayer time or during the last 24 hours, and suggests some prayer exercises for the next 24 hours. The purpose of spiritual direction is for the retreatant to become more adept at finding the loving presence and action of God in his or her life.

Each of the Australian Centres of Ignatian Spirituality have different catering arrangements .

Campion

Breakfast is self-serve. Lunch and dinner are provided. Tea/coffee/biscuits are always available. We generally can cater for guests with medically diagnosed allergies and some dietary preferences– these include gluten free, dairy free, allergies to nuts or shellfish, vegetarians and vegans. Given the scale of our catering and the limited budget with which we operate we cannot meet the preferences of guests who prefer not to eat certain foods, for example onions, mushrooms, tomatoes, cheese etc. We ensure that there is sufficient fruit, bread, salads and vegetables for people who may prefer not to eat a particular meal.

Peter Canisius House

Breakfast is self-serve. Morning tea, lunch and dinner are provided. Tea/coffee/biscuits are always available. Dietary requirements can be catered for provided 14 days advanced notice has been provided.

Campion, Peter Canisius House, and Sevenhill have residential facilities. Faber and Loyola and on some occasions the other Centres of Ignatian Spirituality offer residential retreats at other venues.

Campion

Campion is a multi-level building without lift access and our residential accommodation comprises 16 single rooms and 1 twin room. All rooms have with washbasins but toilets and bathrooms are shared. Live in retreats include all meals, linen and towels.

Peter Canisius House

There are 47 bedrooms at Peter Canisius House. Most are twin share bedrooms with shared bathrooms. There are 8 ensuite bedrooms, most with double or queen beds. There is a disabled bathroom on the ground floor and one of the accommodation wings is also located on the ground floor.

Breakfast is self-serve. Morning tea, lunch and dinner are provided. Tea/coffee/biscuits are always available. Dietary requirements can be catered to.

Sevenhill

Our retreat centre is in the middle of the oldest winery in the Clare Valley. It offers a unique place for prayer and contemplation. It has 24 single rooms, some of which are ensuites, the rest with shared bathroom facilities.

Live-in retreats include all meals, bed linen and towels. Our grounds, shrines, walking paths and the surrounding vineyard create an environment conducive to encountering God in a restful and peaceful rural setting.

The National Parks grading system assesses a walk’s difficulty based on several criteria, including: experience required, steps, gradient, path quality and signage. The walk’s grade is based on the most difficult of these 5 criteria, rather than an average. So some walks will have some criteria that meet an easier grade. A grade 1 walk is flat and suitable for a wheelchair; a grade 4 walk will include sections that are very steep, uneven and have many steps.

For more details visit https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/safety/bushwalking-safety/australian-walking-track-grading-system