Retreat House

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Rest, Reflect, Refresh: The Gift Of Retreat

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In the middle of your busy day, imagine for a moment a time of quiet on the banks of the beautiful Madawaska River not far from Ottawa or on the lovely shores of Lake Ontario in Cobourg just a short distance from Toronto. The Sisters of St. Joseph in Canada operate two beautiful retreat centres in these locations.

A retreat offers an opportunity to step away for a short time from the “humdrum” pace of everyday life and constant distractions – not as a “running away” but as a time of rest, inner reflection, care and renewal. Retreats provide silence, solitude, clarity in life and spiritual accompaniment. A welcoming space allows us to listen – to listen to God and/or the sacred in life, to our own hearts in joy and in struggle, to the pulse of nature and the world and to ask, “What really matters?”

Corrien Coker, Administrator of Stillpoint House of Prayer says, “For thirty-seven, years, Stillpoint has welcomed retreatants of all faiths. Stillpoint is located along the picturesque shores of the Madawaska River in Burnstown, Ontario. Here retreatants can embrace the silence designed for spiritual renewal and reflection, receive spiritual direction while nourishing the body with simple, meals and refreshment. Stillpoint has five comfortable rooms with private ensuites, along with two apartments situated in an ancient barn equipped with mini kitchens for additional privacy. The main house has a beautiful river view chapel, restful grounds and a well-stocked library for spiritual minds.” Stillpoint House of Prayer, pictured below.

Set on 10 beautiful acres along the shores of Lake Ontario, Villa St. Joseph Ecology and Spirituality Centre in Cobourg (pictured below) , similarly offers a welcome, inclusive of all faith traditions and those too who are more generally spiritual seekers. Retreat opportunities are varied, some completely silent and others with input to help deepen faith and/or life experience. In addition to retreats, the Villa provides workshops in ecological awareness and practice, evening prayers for special feast days of the church, and spiritual and ecological reading groups among other diverse events. Compassionate, non-judgmental spiritual accompaniment is offered. Rooms are comfortable, there is a peaceful chapel and library, and home-cooked meals have been described by retreatants as “love on a plate”.

We invite you to consider a retreat in one of these lovely centres. Come and know deep hospitality, belonging, peace, rest and renewal in these turbulent times. To view or register for our retreats and/or events visit:

- Sister Mary Rowell, CSJ and Corrien Coker, Stillpoint Administrator

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A Place of Stillness

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In Renfrew County, along the banks of the Madawaska River, stands a grey building surrounded by trees.

It has been a haven of hospitality for many years- even for the brave men who rode the logs, bringing them to harvest in the 1800s. This place at Springtown was known as the “Stopping Place”- a home that also welcomed the itinerant priest and the schoolteacher. It was discovered by three of our Pembroke Sisters, who embraced it with loving care and vision, to create the present Stillpoint House of Prayer.

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the ‘stopping place’

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Countless retreatants have crossed its threshold throughout the 32 years of its ministry. The walls still ring with the wisdom of Sisters Maria and Betty. We are grateful for its sturdy structure and its amazing views; the big old barn provides shelter as well for people who come for prayer and quiet. We believe the Holy Spirit resides at Stillpoint too, amidst the green gardens and lawns, the spruce and lilac, and the multitude of wildlife.

An all-season place for quiet and calm, Stillpoint invites one and all.

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-Sister Helen Russell, csj

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Longing for a get-away place?

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“God’s language is silence.” I learned that from the Sisters of St Joseph. There was a report on radio last week that a big part in marketing for hotels and resorts today is to guarantee “quiet” for a premium price.

Holy Family Oxley – a Retreat Centre since 1948 is not always silent. That is your choice. But it is a place of “quiet” in the sense of beauty, peacefulness and reflectiveness where you can come to get away from the noise and business of the day. Located on the shores of Lake Erie, approximately 30 kilometres from Windsor. It is a refuge from the pressures of the day and an opportunity to renew and refresh spirit and body. So often we hear “O I must do that.” “I need to get away.” The challenge is to do it. At least make the phone call, email or go onto our Web Site at www.holyfamilyrh.com

People come to the retreat house and lovely grounds for preached retreats, special group retreats, conferences, personally directed retreats, or private getaway time. We have 50 rooms, half a dozen “suites” of different types and a house with 4 bedrooms all available at reasonable rates. All accommodation includes meals for which we are renowned! We can accommodate approximately 78 people. Take 4 minutes to enjoy our new video.

The Spirit lives here and is always at work! Come and see! Just enter Oxley, 121 Victoria St. in your GPS.

For further information and reservations contact Mary Salmon msalmon@dol.ca 519 738-6136. Our mailing address is 121 Victoria St RR1, Harrow ON, N0R 1G0.

Guest Blogger Fr Michael O’Brien is priest in residence. He is responsible for Liturgy and spiritual guidance. mob@dol.ca 519 903-4901.