Retreats

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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

Honouring Our Veterans

On November 11 each year we remember the men and women who have served in our armed forces.  We honour those who have given their lives to bring about peace in our world. On Remembrance Day, when I watch the ceremonies televised from the National War Memorial in Ottawa, participate in London’s solemn remembrance of our veterans, or listen to radio broadcasts of the stories and soul-stirring songs of World War Two, I am profoundly affected.   The aging veterans of WWII marching in Ottawa, wearing medals and berets, present a powerful image of the human costs of war.  In WWII, Canadian soldiers or their forefathers were likely to have immigrated from the British Isle or France. Canadians were united in fighting for their own country as well as for Britain and France.  WWII was our war fought by our citizens for our Country. 

Today our population is more diverse. Wars in far-off places are perceived as less relevant. Brigadier Romeo Dallaire took command of a lightly armed force of 2,500 troops in Rwanda in 1993.  When the situation worsened Dallaire’s urgent request to the United Nations headquarters in New York for more troops and was turned down. The murder of Rwanda’s president shortly afterwards initiated a war in which the Hutu populations exterminated the Tutsis; 8,000 persons were murdered, and 2,000,000 persons became refugees. Canadian Armed Forces have served as peacekeepers in Rwanda (1993-95), Cyprus (1964- 93), Afghanistan (2001-2014), The Bosnia-Herzegovina (1992-2010), Namibia (1989-1990), Mali (2018.2023).  Our military personnel have engaged in battles or assisted other nations by training troops, providing transportation, logistics, and stabilizing emerging countries. 

Today, conflicts in Africa, Afghanistan and the Balkans seem peripheral and less relevant to us. I was told by an officer who fought in Afghanistan that the war there seemed to accomplish nothing; there was little enthusiasm for joining in this venture. Many veterans of these wars have suffered greatly but their stories receive little public recognition. At home Canadian veterans of foreign wars and peacekeeping services do not “fit” in the culture of the Canadian Legion.  Participation in the many branches of this organization throughout Canada has declined significantly.  However, concern for our veterans, pride in their service to Canada, and a desire to honour them still flourish.

Romeo Dallaire’s open stories of his post-traumatic stress have taught us the terrifying price of war for our combatants. In London, Veterans’ Parkway honours our veterans and reminds us of their sacrifices. This year the Invictus Games for veterans wounded in war will take place in February 2025 in Whistler, BC.  These games validate the courage of our veterans, arouse pride, and instill hope. Let us continue to honour and thank our veterans in national and local memorial ceremonies, monuments, and public recognition.  May we work towards peace in all our relationships, and hope for a future that is free of wars.

“God shall wipe away all tears from our eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away”. Book of Revelations, 21:4

-Sister Patricia McKeon

Image: Unsplash/Ellie Pourreza @ellieeepr  |

We All Need Healing

Our beautiful residence chapel was the setting for this year’s annual May retreat.  The entire house was in silence as we entered five days of quiet to rest, deepen, meditate, and pray.

Retreat is also a time of personal healing.  In keeping with this reality, a poignant event of our retreat, was the celebration of the sacrament of the anointing of the sick.  This is an important ceremony in the life of us Sisters. As aging people, our need for healing from our ongoing illnesses, infirmities physical, psychological, and spiritual is ever-present.

As our celebrant spoke about the healing effects of anointing with holy oil, a spirit of deep reverence descended among us.  When Father took his place in front of the altar with a Sister assistant on each side, I was granted an interesting vantage point.  Their placement and my seat in chapel provided me with a unique view of each Sister’s face as the celebrant made the sign of the cross on her forehead and hands with the oil as he prayed, “Through this holy anointing, may the Lord in his love and mercy help you with the grace of the Holy Spirit”.

During the rite, I was moved to prayer for each Sister as she reverently received the blessing. In a striking new insight, I realized how deeply I am connected to each one. These are the holy, generous women with whom I have shared life in community for over 50 years.  I have seen them in the joys and sorrows of life.  I silently named some of the infirmities with which they have coped throughout the years, just as they know how I have coped with mine.  Even under the weight of older age, they strive onward through life’s vicissitudes, still fresh, still green in love and service.

As the lilting notes of a familiar Carey Landrey hymn played softly in the background, I hummed silently:

Lay your hands gently upon us

Let your touch render your peace

Let them bring your forgiveness and healing,

Lay your hands, gently lay your hands.

At the end of the moving service, I was not the only one with handkerchief in hand.

-Sister Jean Moylan, csj

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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

Living Faith: A Pilgrimage Retreat for Young Adults

Join other young adults

August 24, 2018 - 8:30am - August 26, 2018 - 5:00pm

Faith Connections and the Federation of Sisters of St. Joseph of Canada invite you to experience LIVING FAITH! Join other young adults (men and women, 18-39) on a weekend pilgrimage as we explore how to live the call to faith with the Sisters of St. Joseph at a camp located on the shores of Lake Nipissing in North Bay, Ontario.

Through interactive activities, prayer and fellowship, we'll delve deeper into our living faith.

Cost: $150, including meals and accommodation (single bed cottages — $70 if you do not require accommodation). Early bird registration before June 1: $120 (If cost is a concern, please contact us.)

Carpooling available.

To register, contact Kataryna Ryba: faithconnections@csj-to.ca    or 416-467-2645.