Hi folks,

Back from my days off and a chance to share on my retreat last week.  I know some chuckled at the thought of me on a "eight day silent directed retreat".  I was a bit wondering how this might go myself as it was a new experience for me.

The week would unravel around silence, scripture to pray with, an appointed spiritual director who would sit and listen and share my life journey as well as time for rest and some walking about the grounds.

Well the grounds at Loyola House and the Ignatius center was absolutely beautiful. It is full of forest walking trails, wetlands, farmland paths.  It was a chance to experience God in the beauty of the wild sunsets, early morning mists, early frosts, the sunrises, ponds and marshes.  I took lots of time to walk and reflect on the ever changing creation.

The sessions with Tarcia my spiritual director were just amazing as we shared on my journey into various scripture passages that had me reflecting on my spiritual life.  I dug deep and saw the inner workings of how God is so present to the story I am living.

We had the chance to just sit in front of a huge picture window that looked out over a flower courtyard and into the rolling farmlands towards Fergus and Owen Sound.  So often we sat with a cup of coffee or tea and just got lost in God's presence and te beauty before us.  The silence was not something to be afraid of, but rather to embrace and listen.

I had the chance to walk a huge labryinth in the front yard and that was an amazing experience.  There is one in Riverview which I am sure Claudette will pull out for the Advent season.  It was the first time I walked it.  I always wanted to do so in Riverview, but was always busy running. As I walked and listen to quiet music, I was so taken in by the circular path and journey to the center of myself.  It was both mystical and cleansing.  Folks take the time to do this if you have a chance.  I remember Rita Bernard (who died this year) at about 83 who walked the labryinth in Riverview at a workshop and she cried as she did so. She asked me afterwards if I would help her build one in her back yard so she could walk it each day.  This is one of the ways God uses to speak to our heart.

I left the the retreat with a sense of peace having been profoundly affected by my time there.  I went so open to God to listen and we spoke.  I poured out my story of what I was living and God was there and patient.  Now to allow it sink deeper as I move forward in faith.  

Well I have to go and get ready for the day.  It involves supper at our home with Angus Johnston, who is visiting from Holy Family parish.  He will join us at Dayspring for worship tonight.  He will see the love here big time this day.  Kep me in your prayers folks. Until next time.

Jeff