"In the beauty of a snowflake falling softly on the land,
Is the mystery and the miracle of God's great, creative hand."
Helen Steiner Rice
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July 10-15 & July 18-23,
July 26-Aug 2, Sept 5-10,
Nov 26-Dec 1
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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."
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"I am aware of what a privilege it is in today's world to come away, have all my needs taken care of, and rest in comfort and practice self-care.
I am extremely thankful that places like Loretto Maryholme exist for this purpose. This kind of privilege ought to be afforded to all humans, no matter what our status.
This is a sacred place and retreat is a sacred experience.
THANK YOU."
C.M., Private Retreatant, November 2023
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'Something more than ordinary’ has happened over these past 23 years and we believe it will be so in the many years ahead.
Holding this gentle, cozy and restorative space for you is our joy and our ministry to you.
Thank you for being part of the journey!
We appreciate your donations toward furthering
the ministry of Loretto Maryholme in this sacred space.
Thank you
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The docks have been drawn in and the tender trees wrapped in their burlap blankets as we prepare for the coming snows and cold season ahead. We are already welcoming 2024 registrations for silent retreats and bookings by private retreatants/groups for our cabins, Fensom Cottage and Edgar House.
The gratitude expressed by our guests for the many opportunities to restore, rest and go back into their busy lives refreshed are plentiful (spending time in these sacred spaces of beauty &, stillness on the grounds, snoozing on the swing in the wrap-around porch, sitting with a trusted spiritual director for holy listening…). So many are carrying heavy burdens and enduring painful losses in these days – truly we are blessed to be able to provide a safe space in which many can take some time to catch a breath and nurture their mind, body & spirit as they resume their journeys...
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Happy Solstice
The winter solstice time is no longer celebrated as it once was, with the understanding that this is a period of descent and rest, of going within our homes, within ourselves and taking in all
that we have been through, all that has passed in this full year which is coming to a close... like nature and the animal kingdom around us, this time of hibernation is so necessary for our tired limbs, our burdened minds.
Our modern culture teaches avoidance at a max at this time; alcohol, lights, shopping, overworking, over spending, comfort food and consumerism. And yet the natural tug to go inwards as nearly all creatures are doing is strong and the weather so bitter that people are left feeling that winter is hard, because for those of us without burning fires and big festive families, it can be lonely and isolating.
Whereas in actual fact winter is kind, she points us in her quiet
soft way towards our inner self, towards this annual time of peace and reflection, embracing the darkness and forgiving, accepting and loving embracing goodbye the past year.
"Winter takes away the distractions, the buzz, and presents us with the perfect time to rest and withdraw into a womb like love, bringing fire & light to our hearth”.
.. and then, just around the corner the new year will begin again, and like a seed planted deep in the earth, we will all rise
with renewed energy once again to dance in the sunlight.
Life is a gift - Happy winter to you all...
Reflection by Brigit Anna McNeill
Art beautifully created by Jessica Boehman
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"...The morning is crisp and clear as untrammelled fingers in praise. To be here is to be affected, made more. Filled. The creative energy of the universe. Drink it in, my friends..."
Richard Wagamese, Embers
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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, McMahon, Blackbird Cabins and Fensom Cottage are available for personal retreats. Spiritual direction is available upon request. Self-catered meals.
Edgar House and Fensom Cottage are available for group retreats. Consider time away on weekdays for professional development, ministry planning, or healing time. Self-catered meals.
Writers, artists & creatives welcome!
Spiritual direction is available upon request.
for availability.
We now accept e-transfers! If mailing in payment however, please note our new mailing address is: Loretto Maryholme Spirituality Centre, 379A Bouchier Street, Keswick, ON L4P 3C8.
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"The earth has a thin place - where heaven is separated by the lightest of veils - and this is one such place. Here you are comforted by the beauty and care of the place. Where are you nurtured body and soul. Where the outside world disappears for a time and you can softly and gently embrace that which really matters. Magic ❤︎"
"My experience, as always, was wonderful. The wisdom shared in the opening circle combined with previous silent retreat experience made it feel easy to surrender and get to the heart of the matter quickly. This is a place to be held - by nature, by the peaceful, soothing interior environment, by the retreat members, by nourishing food and by spiritual direction. Each time I am here, I am better able to integrate what I have discovered into my daily life, and make my home more retreat like. Thank you for the love and inspiration. ❤︎"
"Relaxing, nourishing, peaceful... everything I needed. Thank you, everyone ☺︎"
"My retreats are always so grounding, helping me connect to my spiritual centre, God, my purpose, my loves."
"I go away to write & be disconnected from the world frequently, so this process isn't new... there's something about the way it's held here that lets me sink in deeply, quickly & fully. It's a mystery to me & I'll keep coming back to experience it again. I'm so grateful...The peace I can access here is profound. You've made a spiritual force field on this land! Thank you to everyone who maintain, create & offer this daily. It's sacred work."
"This experience greatly surpassed all my
expectations. The property is magnificent, the accommodations so inviting, comforting and functional (you've thought of everything). The many and varied options for reflection were superb. Thank you for the incredibly warm hospitality."
"I knew I would find what I needed when I came here, but everyone here at Loretto Maryholme has created an even more special experience than my last retreats.. Perfect."
"Beautiful experience. Very calming & restorative. A safe place to be my true self."
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Find your centre at our Centre. Come and see ... |
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Tel. 905.476.4013
© Loretto Maryholme Spirituality Centre 2023
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Holiday Closure:
December 22, 2023
til January 2, 2024
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