An Advent Retreat
Fr Gerard Moran, OCD
Come Lord Jesus!
In Advent we cry out “Come, Lord Jesus!” Let us prepare to enter this season of hope by reflecting and praying on the liturgical and scriptural texts of this beautiful season of the Church’s year.

In this day of prayer and silence let us explore together how the Lord gives us hope as we await his coming” “Come, Lord Jesus!”

Living and Waiting in Hope
Presenter: Steven Miller
Advent with John Henry Newman

Pope St John Paul II in his apostolic letter written at the start of the 21st century wrote that Christians entering a new millennium needed above all a renewed understanding of the virtue of hope. The homilies and writings of John Henry Newman give profound insights into the life of faith lived in hope. He taught that Hope was the anchor in the midst of uncertainties, bringing stability, serenity and joy.

In Newman’s teaching hope gives an “advent” character to Christian living. “We are not simply to believe”, he wrote “but to watch; not simply to love, but to watch; not simply to obey, but to watch; to watch for what? For that great event, Christ’s coming.” For Newman this was not merely the coming of the Lord at the end of time, but more importantly the advent of God in the events of everyday life.

Presenter: Fr Paul Maunder, OCD

Reflections on the Spiritual Canticle of St John of the Cross.

‘These stanzas, composed in a love flowing from abundant mystical understanding, cannot be explained fully but can be explained in a broad sense so that each one may derive profit from them according to the mode and capacity of one’s own spirit.’ (SC Pro)

Presenter: Fr Michael Dyer

A prayerful and interactive encounter with creation

“Praise be to you, my Lord”: In the words of this beautiful canticle, Saint Francis of Assisi reminds us that our common home is like a sister with whom we share our life and a beautiful mother who opens her arms to embrace us”. Today’s retreat will encourage you to bend your knees and pray in solidarity with all creatures. Pope Francis’ Encyclical “Laudato si, the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures, the natural world and fellow retreatants will be your spiritual companions for this journey.

Presenter: Bishop Greg Homeming, OCD

The last ten years have been the most difficult for the church in Australia.

We will spend time trying to find God in the midst of this crisis, and seek a way forward to become a more humble, open, transparent, and Christ-centred Church.

Presenters: Fr Aloysius Rego, OCD and Mr Geoff Stumbles

Through gaining an understanding of these Carmelite mystics, can we relate to what they are teaching and locate our own experience within their writings?

In “The Living Flame”, John of the Cross writes that we start out together on the journey of prayer but very quickly we have to make our own path. This Retreat will help us situate our own journey within the teachings of these great Saints and hopefully assist in validating our own path.

Presenter: John Charadia and artist tutors

Through practical experience in creating artistic forms we will reflect on the spirituality of the creative process.

Deep reflective thinking involves imagining, meditation and intuition allowing us to pay attention to our uniqueness and be fully present, trusting our responses and ways of knowing that arise in the creative process.

Presenter: Barbara Stenning OCDS

“For well I know the spring that flows and runs although all is night.”

Song of the soul that rejoices in knowing God through faith.

Facilitated by Annemarie Nichol

“The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it”

We face a world in which there is less certainty and we find it difficult to know who to turn to and trust. We encounter situations in which resources are becoming scarcer, employment is less secure, politics is losing its effectiveness, house prices are insane, worldwide geopolitics is being transformed, and the Christian church is in decline. Using songs from Taizé, this weekend will draw us more deeply into the mystery of a God who truly loves us, and walks alongside each us. A God who meets us in moments which we experience as Calvary and calls us to a life of conversion, trusting that God is with us even at moments when we feel overwhelmed. In doing so, we can become aware of a simple reality – it is possible to find an inner peace, even joy, in the midst of darkness.

While we target people who are between 18 – 35, all are welcome.

Presenters: Carmelite Team

The Carmelite Community at Mount Carmel Retreat Centre, Varroville invites you to come, prepare and celebrate with us the Most Holy Triduum of the Lord’s Passion, Death and Resurrection. This Easter “Triduum”, which extends from the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday until the Evening Prayer of Easter Sunday, is the kernel of the Church’s Liturgical Year.

This retreat is conducted in an atmosphere of silence and reflection. There will be a talk in the morning to prepare for the liturgy of the day. You are most welcome to participate in the Prayer of the Church (The Divine Office) and to be actively involved in the Liturgy, for example in proclaiming the Word and being part of the choir. An opportunity of celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation will be offered. Come and join us.