“Called to Freedom” Ignatian Weekend Retreat

“For you were called to freedom…to serve one another through love” (Gal 5:13)

Are you seeking spiritual nourishment? Perhaps you are a pastor, a spiritual director, a ministry leader looking for refill your well? Perhaps you are in a period of discernment, seeking the next steps on your journey. Perhaps you would like some quiet time to spend with God. Perhaps you are seeking rest and restoration. Perhaps it’s time to book your annual retreat. We invite you to explore spiritual freedom through the lens of the spirituality of Ignatius of Loyola. Spiritual freedom is a key element for discernment and for movement in our spiritual journey. This weekend retreat will offer inspiring inputs, periods of silence for personal prayer, small group spiritual conversation, and optional individual spiritual direction. We will engage art, music, poetry, scripture, film, and time in nature.

You are invited to bring non-cognitive activities (arts, crafts, jigsaw puzzles, etc.) for evenings and breaks in silence. Ignatius believes retreatants need to be well-rested and well-fed. Plan to rest in the evenings and on your breaks. The center will feed you well.

Bethlehem Centre is offering new ways to make going on retreats more affordable: with payment plans, shared accommodations (bring a friend, sister, or partner), commuting rates, and some programs that are subject to early bird discounts. Plus, now there is a high-speed ferry from downtown Vancouver to downtown Nanaimo and a 10% discount on A/C taxis from the ferry to the centre.

Tentative Schedule (meal times set)

Friday
3-4 pm Arrive, check in, settle in
5:30 pm dinner
6:30 pm Welcome, opening prayer, entering into the retreat, first input, prayer period, spiritual conversation, silence begins
8 pm – break till Saturday morning

Saturday
8 am breakfast
9 am second input, prayer period, spiritual conversation
10:30 am break
11 am third input, prayer period
12 pm lunch
1 pm fourth input, prayer period, spiritual conversation
2 pm break
2:15 pm Fifth input, prayer period
3:00 -5:15 pm break – opportunity for a nature walk, labyrinth, non-cognitive activities, nap
– optional individual spiritual direction
5:30 pm dinner
6:30 pm optional movie – “A Star is Born” – what obstacles to spiritual freedom do we notice?
Break till Sunday at 8 am

Sunday
8 am breakfast
8:30 am Check out of rooms, put towels & sheets in the hallway
9 am – seventh input, prayer period, spiritual conversation
10:30 am break
11 am closing session – appropriation of graces, closing prayer, and song
12 pm lunch – break the silence
1 pm go home