This past school year, all HWCDSB staff were offered three opportunities to attend the Christian Meditation Adult Faith Formation Retreat hosted at Jericho House in Wainfleet.
This overnight silent retreat was an opportunity for participants to grow in relationship with God by deepening their understanding of this ancient Christian Prayer.
Our time together was a mixture of prayer, learning, sharing, and eating. It included extended periods of silence in which participants had an opportunity to be with God in ways of their own choosing: spiritual reading, journalling, sketching and/or walking the beautiful grounds of Jericho House.
Participants shared:
“What a beautiful gift to be able to disengage from the busyness of life, engage in intentional silence, meet new and wonderful HWCDSB staff, in the sacred space warmly set by Jericho House and their wonderful staff.”
“Truly a gift to be able to go and spend the day/night to pause, reflect and enhance our connection with the infinite love of God. I am grateful and the practice has already made a difference for my mental health.”
“Thank you very much for allowing us the opportunity to experience such a beautiful weekend. It was amazing to take the time to push the pause button on an otherwise chaotic life. … It was a very peaceful weekend.”
“It was a beautiful experience which filled my heart and soul with peace and love. God is good!”
One month following the retreat, participants gathered at the Nicholas Mancini Center for an evening of food and fellowship to share the joys and challenges of incorporating Christian Meditation into daily life.
Participants were added to the HWCDSB Community for Christian Meditation. This growing community, composed of retreat participants over the last nine years, is intended to encourage and support members in persevering in a life of prayer.
We look forward to offering these retreats again next school year.
.jpg "Meditation participants doing morning yoga/stretching")
_thumb.jpg "Sign for the Jericho House in Wainfleet")
_thumb.jpg "Books of prayer and Christian meditation displayed on table")