Hello Loretto,

"There shall be eternal summer in the grateful heart."

Celia Thaxter

Sunday May 26^th was an afternoon of sunshine, beauty, joy and smiles as over 130 people came down the stunning spirea hedge laneway to surround Sr. Jane McDonell with love on the occasion of her retirement as director of Loretto Maryholme Spirituality Centre. 

We were pleased to host our own Loretto Sisters, Associates and Colleagues, local dignitaries (current & former mayors, councillors), members of many religious communities, spiritual directees, centre guests, neighbours, Sr. Jane’s family, centre facilitators, spiritual directors, and staff.

A special blessing was having Sr. Mary Mallany as our emcee for the many tributes and memories that were shared recognizing Sr. Jane’s many years of service and commitment to the ministry of Loretto Maryholme. Our new director Yvonne Prowse offered a lovely blessing to Sr. Jane and invited the assembled community to participate.

How wonderful that instead of gifts, we received donations to commission the first sculpture of our new Contemplative Sculpture Garden. The generosity of all those that gave and all those that sent in their best wishes is so appreciated.

From the sculpture unveiled and to the cake and to the many hugs and love that prevailed over the afternoon, we all went home with another spiritual deposit from these sacred grounds and all that has been deposited here over the years for us to experience – the very best blessing practice in a place that is ‘something more than ordinary’ thanks to Sr. Jane, ‘whose vision, creativity and love brought to being Loretto Maryholme Spirituality Centre’.

As Dave Neeson, our local councillor, wrote on his local Facebook page to the residents of Georgina, “Her dedication and sacrifice will continue and leave a lasting mark on our community! 

Congratulations and thank you, Sister Jane!”

Something more than ordinary...

Our mission as a spirituality centre continues to be

"To encourage individuals and groups to explore and restore the energies needed for personal, communal, and world transformation."

What is a Retreat

"Rest is not idleness

and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees

on a summer's day, listening to the murmur of the water,

or watching the clouds float across the sky,

is by no means a waste of time."

John Lubbock

"Summer afternoon—summer afternoon;

to me those have always been the two most

beautiful words in the English language."

Henry James

"When you have an

'attitude of gratitude',

you wake up saying

thank you!'

Maya Angelou

"Summer in Canada is not only a season,

it is a state of mind."

Pierre Berton, Canadian historian and author

Come spend time in this sacred space. Rest, reflect and re-focus in an atmosphere of beauty, peace and solitude on the beautiful shores of Lake Simcoe.

Dease and Blackbird Cabins plus Fensom Cottage are available for personal retreats. Edgar House is available on weekends and through the week to book your group for professional development, ministry planning or healing time. Wifi accessible in all buildings.

Spiritual direction is available upon request.

Email booking@lorettomaryholme.ca

for availability.

We accept and prefer e-transfers. However, if you are mailing in payment via snail mail, please note our new mailing address is: Loretto Maryholme Spirituality Centre, 379A Bouchier Street, Keswick, ON L4P 3C8. Thank you.

"Thank you so much for sharing this BEAUTIFUL space with us. I am incredibly grateful & blessed to spend some sacred moments here."

"My soul place. Thank you for sharing."

"Thank you for kindness, guidance, refreshment of the spirit - and especially for the communal silence!"

"I have come to find peace and to reconnect with myself. The beauty of the nature surrounding us here all contributed to me achieving exactly that and then some. My heart is full. I am forever grateful for the opportunity to journey here, It will not be my last visit and pilgrimage here."

"There's a warmth you feel here. Like a cozy hug... I immediately felt relaxed here. It was just what I needed. Thank you."

"My overall experience was one of delight - in God, in the surroundings, in the quiet, in the rest... Thank you for this opportunity - filled with grace."

"I wanted a quiet place to rest and pray, away from my busy life. I wanted to follow my own schedule. McMahon Cabin was the ideal spot. Thank you! God bless you all!"

"We were all thoroughly delighted with Loretto Maryholme. We could not have wished for lovelier surroundings, more comfortable accommodations, or a more serene atmosphere for our retreat. Thank you!"

"Nothing would make this a better place for contemplation and nurturing gratitude."

"In summer, the song sings itself."

William Carlos Williams

Blessings from the Maryholme team

In the Garden of Serenity

In the garden of serenity, I find my solace,

Where blossoms dance and whispers of grace,

Underneath the canopy, a sacred retreat,

Where summer's embrace makes my heart beat.

The flowers speak of ancient tales untold,

Their vibrant hues like secrets of old,

Among the blooms, my spirit takes flight,

Guided by nature's gentle light.

Anonymous

info@lorettomaryholme.ca

Tel. 905.476.4013

www.lorettomaryholme.ca

© Loretto Maryholme Spirituality Centre 2021

Office Hours:

Weekdays 9am-noon

Afternoons by chance.